1995 Johnson 30HP starter issues???

[paulbat83]

Thanks ahead of time for a response, as it will be greatly appreciated. I have a 1995 30HP Johnson. After sitting this past winter I went to start it up and the motor is turning over extremely slow. I tested the battery, it was bad, so I put installed a new one. I'm getting 12.5+ volts between the terminals, so I know it is fully charged. When cranking i'm getting 9.5-10 at the starter. I've cleaned both cable ends that attach to the terminals, but not sure what else to do. I know the battery is charged but all it seems to do is turn over very slowly 3-4 times. However, every now and then it starts as it should, but not often...

Any ideas/suggestions? Please advise!

Paul

 

[wifisher]

Re: 1995 Johnson 30HP starter issues???

you have a bad connection somewhere or a bad solenoid. The motor only has 9.5-10 volts. The rest is getting lost somewhere. Clean all connections and try again. If this does not help, replace solenoid.

 

[paulbat83]

Re: 1995 Johnson 30HP starter issues???

Thanks for such a quick response, will do this and see what happens. Update to come!

 

[Will Bark]

Re: 1995 Johnson 30HP starter issues???

Make sure the bolts attaching the starter to the engine are clean; no corrosion and tight.

 

[paulbat83]

Re: 1995 Johnson 30HP starter issues???

So I checked all the cables/connection I could, and all seem to be intact, clean, and tightened. So is my only option now to replace the solenoid? The best way to explain what it is doing is that it is acting as though the battery is extremely weak, but I know for certain it is fully charged (per voltmeter readings). Thanks again for all the assistance!

 

[Cofe]

Re: 1995 Johnson 30HP starter issues???

Make sure the ground cable from the battery to the powerhead has a good ground. I have seen what looks to be a good ground on the powerhead, only to remove it and find corrosion under the cable connector and on the bolt threads.

 

[paulbat83]

Re: 1995 Johnson 30HP starter issues???

I will definitely double check the ground, perhaps I should try and bypass the solenoid to see if it starts with no problem?

 

[paulbat83]

Re: 1995 Johnson 30HP starter issues???

So I bypassed the solenoid by touching a set of pliers to the hot wire going to the solenoid and the out wire leading to the starter, and I'm getting the same result, extremely slow turnover...what does this indicate?

 

[Cofe]

Re: 1995 Johnson 30HP starter issues???

Sounds like you are doing the right things, but it just isn't working. I have bought brand new bad batteries before. One was regestering about 13 volts, but the amps were not there. The other bad battery I bought was charged in reverse.........burnt some stuff up..... Have your battery tested at a auto parts store, they will also test your starter.

Here is a test for a solenoid.

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: 1995 Johnson 30HP starter issues???

The only other thing that I can suggest is to use a good set of jumper cables. Negative battery post to solid ground on the engine, touch the positive directly to the starter stud. Carefully.

 

[Dbynes]

Re: 1995 Johnson 30HP starter issues???

Hey I'm new to the iboat forum but I have the same problem slow cranking and only 9 to 10 volts at the starter when cranking. The problem is the starter. The winding inside of the starter motor are causing a high resistance issue. I pulled mine apart to find only one of the Fins at the bottom of the starter allowed current through.I I determined it was starter related when I noticed that lower part of starter around the positive connect bolt was screaming hot after a few good attempts to start. I would suggest checking the starter and other parts of the power supply for excessive heat the starter demands so many amps that its Gona expose any high resistance area by heating it up way more than the rest of the components. Good luck

 

[paulbat83]

Re: 1995 Johnson 30HP starter issues???

So I put the boat in the water today, fired right up for about 30 seconds then shut off...tried to restart, it turns over but will not start back up! Aghhh this is getting frustrating. It's turning over fine, even begins peeing, it just won't start. I did feel the starter and it's super hot. What's going on? About ready to just take it to a boat mech and just let them fix it.