1978 johnson 115 need help

[Ryno57]

hey everyone i am ready to pull my hair out on this one i will lay the ground work on what i have first it is a project boat i got it and the lower unit was off for a water pump change so i replaced the water pump and reassembled it and now where my problem starts is now i cant get it to start and let me just let it be knowen i am new to working on OB . I have a list of things i think it could be 1 is that it might be in gear but not sure i have controls in N position but when I turn it over the prop is turning also dont know if that is normal or not ? 2 not getting spark from coils I am kinda lost on what to do to fix it from hear any help or sugestions would be really helpful thank you

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: 1978 johnson 115 need help

In neutral, engine NOT running. You should be able to turn the prop freely. If so, the prop turning when cranking is due simply to friction between the gearlube and the gears etc within the lower unit (normal).

Disconnect the large RED electrical plug at the engine. Remove all spark plugs. Rif a spark tester of some kind whereas you can set a 7/16" gap for the spark to jump. Crank the engine by using a small jumper wire from the battery cable terminal of the starter solenoid to the small 3/8" nut terminal of the solenoid that energizes the solenoid.

If you have spark with the RED connector disconnected BUT no spark with it connected, the problem is usually a shorted ignition switch. However, before you start replacing parts, let us know what you find.

 

[Ryno57]

Re: 1978 johnson 115 need help

the prop wont turn freely it is in gear when you try to spin the prop it is spinning the fly wheel with it also let me get some light tomorrow and i will try the spark test

 

[madolive3]

Re: 1978 johnson 115 need help

I have the same motor. When you mounted the lower unit back in you may have missed with the shift rod bolt. It's easy to do. I don't think you'll get spark when trying to turn it over in gear. I was sure I had that bolt in right after my water pump rebuild, but no, I missed. Get the bolt in the shift rod, move the shifter so you can spin the prop and then remove the bolt, put the shifter in the neutral position and put the bolt back in.

 

[wired247]

Re: 1978 johnson 115 need help

The shift rod that goes into the lower screws into the lower. Too high and it wont start without being in gear. Too low and the same thing. If you played around with that shift rod when you dropped the lower you may have to pull it again to get it in range if you dont have enough adjustment range up top. I usually do 7 turns out from seated.

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: 1978 johnson 115 need help

Try disconnecting the shift cable from the shift lever under the cowling. What happens when you move the gear shift lever under the cowling by hand? Can you shift the lower unit into f, n, r? When you had the lower unit off, did you adjust the shift rod lever at all? It screws into the lower unit. Turning that rod in or out will change a height adjustment which will affect shifting. That shift rod must be set to a specific height measurement to work properly.

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: 1978 johnson 115 need help

1978 - All V/4 Models = (L) 21-53/64" - - (XL) 26-53/64" plus/minus 1/32". Have shift rod in neutral.

The measurement is taken from the top seating surface of the lower unit to the center of the shift rod hole.

 

[Ryno57]

Re: 1978 johnson 115 need help

I had mied the shift rod when putting the lower back on went out today and saw it right away amazing what you can do with a clear head and some help from some good people now to see if it is getting spark now that I have it in nuetral thanks for all the help on the shifter rod problem I am sure I will find more that i will need help with

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: 1978 johnson 115 need help

Perhaps I'm missing something here. I have no idea what "mired" means. Could you tell me exactly what you found and what you did to correct the problem?

 

[Ryno57]

Re: 1978 johnson 115 need help

Perhaps I'm missing something here. I have no idea what "mired" means. Could you tell me exactly what you found and what you did to correct the problem?

that was a miss spelled word it was meant to say missed the shift rod but what i did was went out there removed the cowl and looked down an saw that I had not hooked it up when I had put the lower back on after the water pump replacement

 

[Ryno57]

Re: 1978 johnson 115 need help

In neutral, engine NOT running. You should be able to turn the prop freely. If so, the prop turning when cranking is due simply to friction between the gearlube and the gears etc within the lower unit (normal).

Disconnect the large RED electrical plug at the engine. Remove all spark plugs. Rif a spark tester of some kind whereas you can set a 7/16" gap for the spark to jump. Crank the engine by using a small jumper wire from the battery cable terminal of the starter solenoid to the small 3/8" nut terminal of the solenoid that energizes the solenoid.

If you have spark with the RED connector disconnected BUT no spark with it connected, the problem is usually a shorted ignition switch. However, before you start replacing parts, let us know what you find.

large RED electrical plug at the engine are you refering to the main wire harness that is on the port side of the out board?

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: 1978 johnson 115 need help

Yes.

 

[Ryno57]

Re: 1978 johnson 115 need help

ok thank you just wanted to make sure i was heading the right direction before i got going thank you for all the help