85 H.P. Johnson Starting Problems

[captain413]

I just bought a 73' Caravelle with an 85 hp johnson. I have stripped the hull and am replaceing the stringers, transom and deck. Any way the motor is not getting any spark and I was wondering if a weak starter could have something to do with it. The motor lookes to be in great shape except the starter's paint is bubbled. It looks like the thing stayed engaged while the motor was running. Any help would be appreciated! This forum has helped out a lot with the hull work.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 85 H.P. Johnson Starting Problems

it has to turn +-300 rpms to start, so it is possible. take starter to a starter/alternator shop, and have it tested.

90% of starter problems are bad connections. remove and clean both ends of the battery cables, so that they are shiney, also the cable from the solenoid to starter. check for nicks in the cables. and make sure the connectors are on the wire good. the cable tend to corrode from the inside out, if nicked, corroded wires, and connections, heat up and cause resistance to the follow of electricity, thus the starter doesn't get enough. you can also take jumper cable pos battery post to large post on starter. with a good connection, the engine should spin. then if the starter is good clean everything and retest. then trouble shoot solenoid. starters can be rebuit at a starter/alternator shop, much cheaper than a new one.

also have the battery load tested at the auto parts store, free, i've had new batteries go bad

here are 6 pages of test, find your motor http://www.boatpartstore.com/page28.asp

 

[ezeke]

Re: 85 H.P. Johnson Starting Problems

The paint is most likely bubbled from the starter being cranked too long and thus overheated. The probability is that it is either ok or melted internally. If the rebuild shop says the wiring is melted, you should get a new one.

As TD says, in 90% of the starter problems, it is not the starter. They used the same starter as yours all the way up to high compression V6 engines.