Is it my key switch, maybe? Works sometimes...

[patternghost]

I have a boat with a 70 HP 1978 Johnson. I got it out last week, cleaned the boat, charged the battery, and tried to start it in the driveway. The key turned but nothing engaged. No auto choke, no starter, nothing. I didn?t have time to mess with it so I let it go.

Yesterday we took the boat out on a pond and played around with the trolling motor. I went out today and for fun turned the key on the 70, and it started! I shut it off, then tried again, worked again. I hooked up the water muffs and tried again, and this time no power to anything.

I have checked the fuse on the motor, cleaned the plugs in the big red connector, made sure the battery is good, made sure it?s in neutral?

Is there some other trick I should try before I start inspecting wires or replace the key switch?

Thanks!

 

[reddogg]

Re: Is it my key switch, maybe? Works sometimes...

Sounds like you have a loose wire somewhere, prolly on the switch itself or the switch is wearing out.

Red

 

[patternghost]

Re: Is it my key switch, maybe? Works sometimes...

It kicked in again but blew the fuse on the motor. Replaced the fuse and won't kick in again. I'll try looking for loose or frayed wires, and then try another switch.

 

[Daviet]

Re: Is it my key switch, maybe? Works sometimes...

Before you replace the switch check the voltage to the starter solenoid. Might be a wire or connection problem. Hate to see you replace a good part that you don't know is bad.

 

[patternghost]

Re: Is it my key switch, maybe? Works sometimes...

Good advice, I checked the voltage coming into the solonoid and it was very low. I messed around with the positive battery cable and found a break. Now it starts just fine but dies after a couple of seconds, so now there is a kill switch involved somewhere, I assume? Would a bad battery cable affect that?

 

[Daviet]

Re: Is it my key switch, maybe? Works sometimes...

Remove both battery cables and clean both the cable ends and battery posts REALLY clean and make sure they are tight when you put them back on.