1999 50hp Johnson 2 stroke won’t start

[Lucaswt]

Hello, first time posting. I have a 1999 50hp 2 stroke Johnson for a key largo boat that won’t start. Turn the key and hear click at the solenoid and starter moves a bit. I replace solenoid and still nothing. Jumped starter and it works. Replaced key ignition and still nothing. Replace battery too and nothing. Need help and I would really appreciate it if you can point me in the right direction. Could it be the wiring harness?

 

[racerone]

Are you pushing they key in while cranking the motor over ?----Tried turning the red lever on the electric primer valve and squeezing the bulb ?------Have you read an owners manual on this motor ?

 

[Crosbyman]

"Turn the key and hear click at the solenoid and starter moves a bit...Jumped starter and it works"
fuel, carb and choking aside

these symptoms kind of points to poor connections or poor cables

simplest thing to do for now is to clean up (polish) all connections related to the battery to selenoid +12v post and selenoid +12v to starter also... redo the ground (-12v) cable connections from the battery to engine frame connection

cable crimps can also be poor or oxidized reducing amp flows to the selenoid ...starter circuit

you have sufficient +12v to activate the selenoid from th start key but that starter needs lots of strong amps to spin properly.

if still no go .. keep in mind it is possible that the selenoid internal contacts are not transferring all those amps over to the starter which seems to spin ok when you jumper it directly to a strong battery .

 

[Lucaswt]

Clean, polished all terminal related to battery and solenoid. Nothing happens just clicks. Use multimeter to test key cable attached to solenoid and reads 7v when turning key. I might add that all accessories (radio, live well and lights) are not getting power either.

 

[Lucaswt]

Clean, polished all terminal related to battery and solenoid. Nothing happens just clicks. Use multimeter to test key cable attached to solenoid and reads 7v when turning key. I might add that all accessories (radio, live well and lights) are not getting power either

 

[Lucaswt]

"Turn the key and hear click at the solenoid and starter moves a bit...Jumped starter and it works"
fuel, carb and choking aside

these symptoms kind of points to poor connections or poor cables

simplest thing to do for now is to clean up (polish) all connections related to the battery to selenoid +12v post and selenoid +12v to starter also... redo the ground (-12v) cable connections from the battery to engine frame connection

cable crimps can also be poor or oxidized reducing amp flows to the selenoid ...starter circuit

you have sufficient +12v to activate the selenoid from th start key but that starter needs lots of strong amps to spin properly.

if still no go .. keep in mind it is possible that the selenoid internal contacts are not transferring all those amps over to the starter which seems to spin ok when you jumper it directly to a strong battery .

Are you pushing they key in while cranking the motor over ?----Tried turning the red lever on the electric primer valve and squeezing the bulb ?------Have you read an owners manual on this motor ?

I do push the key but no crank. Just clicks. Where is that electric primer valve? Forgive my ignorance. I don’t have the manual, been trining to get it on line but no luck.

 

[racerone]

Have battery load tested even if it is new.------Find a manual or talk to a shop to get a tutorial on how to start / run / operate this motor.-----You can make expensive mistakes when guessing on this motor.

 

[Lucaswt]

I did have the battery tested, it’s all good. Already spent some money but is ok. Trying to avoid getting it to a shop. Any help I would really appreciate it.

 

[oldboat1]

Sandpaper the wire connections, beginning with the main battery cables. Twist the ends of the main cables and listen for crunching sounds (rust).

 

[ct1762@gmail.com]

Clean, polished all terminal related to battery and solenoid. Nothing happens just clicks. Use multimeter to test key cable attached to solenoid and reads 7v when turning key. I might add that all accessories (radio, live well and lights) are not getting power either

did you clean the main terminal ground thoroughly? in the future, a solenoid is super easy to tell if it's getting juice with a multimeter.

 

[Lucaswt]

Sandpaper all terminals and nothing. I replaced solenoid and battery. Not crunching sound when I twist battery cables. I jumped starter and it works but when turn key nothing happens just clicks. Used multimeter to check if I’m getting voltage to the positive cable attached to solenoid and I got more than 12v. When I do the same to key cable attached to solenoid, I only get 7v. when I turned key. Need help.

 

[Crosbyman]

7v indicates a resistive path

check the voltage value at the key S position on the wire heading back to the selenoid if it also reads 7v check the input voltage to the switch on the B+ post it should be 12v if not work backwards to the engine ...

have a buddy operate START for you and wiggle and poke all wires to see if you get a reaction ... if you do you found the bad wire and or connection
cleaning surfaces does not fix corrosion problems inside crimps

 

[ct1762@gmail.com]

yea or get a new key switch. they are only like $25. it helps to have a remote starter (the real one with the correct plug and key, not a jumper type) to eliminate/isolate the key switch

 

[Lucaswt]

I got a new key switch and installed it already. Still the same click. I will check voltage next. Will keep you posted.

 

[Crosbyman]

enough parts will solve your problem but the art of diagnostics is there to save you money. test results dictate the solution otherwise you are in for more expensive & needless parts buying. .
go to your +7v test point and work backwards till you find +12

btw if you apply a good +12 of the battery on the selenoid control post (the one with the wire from the switch) does the starter turn like it should

 

[Crosbyman]

I looked up the parts diag. for a 99 50hp ...you seem to have a engine control module ?? do you?

...if so anythig goes ... you will need a wiring diagram and expert opinions going further ....

. post your engine model# !!

 

[Lucaswt]

Sticker is all faded out. Here are some pics of motor. I will check voltage tomorrow.

 

[racerone]

Is there a black wire going to one side of the solenoid.-----Or where does that black wire come from ?

 

[Lucaswt]

Black wire is grounded to motor.

 

[Crosbyman]

bottom connector on the selenoid looks corroded and loose crimped... did you inspect/clean it or is this a photo "before"
possible 1999 Johnson BJ50RLEEA 50hp looks like yours but sevral models exist

if you can locate the fat side connector plug ..open it clean all contact points (male/female)