johnson 60hp outboard wont start

[jason1987]

hello all im in need of some seroius help. I've recently been out and bought a boat it was sold to me as a runner, when i got it all it was doing was a click noise. when i turned the key as it is only electric start.I dont know the year of engine, i've had the starter motor refurbished and its still the same i did get it to turn over but now all im getting is a click. I've replaced the battery with a 110ah battery and all connections to battery are clean and tight. Can any one help as really struggling.

thanks very much jason

 

[jtexas]

Re: johnson 60hp outboard wont start

welcome to iboats. that's a little better. start by making sure the battery voltage is present at the starter solenoid and that the ground connections are good, then measure the voltage at the starter motor with the key turned to start. if you get 12v or more, replace the starter; otherwise, measure the voltage at the start solenoid input terminal from the keyswitch. if you get 12v or more, replace the solenoid.

Any questions, just ask.

 

[jason1987]

Re: johnson 60hp outboard wont start

hello im still stressing myself out over the outboard engine.
I have recnetly had the starter motor reconditioned as some wires had come off inside,since then i put it back on the motor and all i got was a clicking noise coming from solonoid,so then i have just bought a new solonoid for the boat put that on the boat,turned the key and the engine was turning over tried it again,and the battery seemed flat.
i then charged the battery over night and tried it again this morning and and all im getting is a clicking noise again, i felt the wires and there getting red hot can anyone help me out as im on the last straw with the boat now cheers

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: johnson 60hp outboard wont start

Post the model number of your motor. Look on the starboard side of the transom bracket.
I would suggest replacing the battery cables.

 

[jason1987]

Re: johnson 60hp outboard wont start

i dont know the model of the engine all i can get off the engine is its a johnson 60hp thats it theres a black box at the back of the boat what a red battery cable runs too what could that be.

 

[mikesea]

Re: johnson 60hp outboard wont start

Jason,relax,the black box ,is it at the back of the boat ,or the engine.If its the boat,it could be for a Trim and Tilt unit.Do you have a trim and tily unit.Now to the engine.You say you had the starter replaced and a new solonoid.Are you absolutly positive the battery cables to the motor are tite.Inspect those cables carefully and make sure the cable ends are clean ,not corroded ,and make sure the cables are not cut anywhere along them.Often the cables cut,mostly the positive will corrode thru a little cut and you may have what appears to be a good cable ,but the copper inside has corroded.You need to be sure the ground and the positive are good and tite.You can test your starter by taking the positive battery cable off and touching the stud on the starter where the cable from the solonoid connects.If it turns over ,you know your ok there.Just for safty ,pull the plug wires off to prevent accidental starting.You dont want to run without water.If the starter dont spin ,and assuming its a good starter ,you need to be sure your battery is charged ,and good.You might want to try a different battery to retest the starter.If you know you have a good battery ,and starter dont work,your starter is bad,assuming the cables are OK. If the starter spins you then need to figure out why the key is not activating the solonoid to allow starting.However ,if it is clicking,it is then getting the signal to start.The power for that comes from the yel wire with red stripe that connects to the solonoid.There should be no other wire but that one on that contact with the yel/red. You also need to be sure the starter solonoid has a good ground to the engine.Did you replace the solonoid with an outboard solonoid?some people use automotive ,and they need to have a ground wire connected.
All that said,You might have something running your battery down,so,make sure all wireing ,other than the positive and neg from the engine are connected,that is to eliminate outside problems.Also,the black box you spoke abou,if it is a trim and tilt box,it will have a pos and neg ,remove them as well.We want to work on the cranking problem.If your battery is fully charged,and you disconnectd any additional wires,try cranking.If it works great,if not,check all your harness connections,the red plug for corrosion ,all,grounds.If your starter is good ,cranks by jumping,if you get a click at the solonoid but no crank ,either your wire to starter from the solonoid is bad ,or solonoid went bad,to be certain again,get a meter or test lite and check the yel/red for power when key is turned.If power ,it can only be solonoid ,bad cable to starter ,starter,or bad ground .Let us know about the trim and tilt info,also look on top of engine block for numbers and submit all you find on the round alum piece

 

[jason1987]

Re: johnson 60hp outboard wont start

hello there is no trim and tilt unit on the back no, also when you say there should be no other wire to the solonoid apart from the yellow to the top and the red to the bottom that runs to the starter motor.
on my solonoid there is a yellow cable at top with a purple one then to the right is two gery ones on each peg with nut, then the red at the bottom or and theres a blue wire from the bottom grey peg to the bolt that is holding the solonoid in place

 

[jason1987]

Re: johnson 60hp outboard wont start

hello ive had the boat running with some easy start then the starter got hot and then turned key again and all im getting now is the click noise again.
I've just took the starter motor off the boat to test it and when i put power to it all its doing is sparking badly.I've had someone out today to test the battery and he said its in good nick and also he tested the power at solonoid and thats ok too plenty of power getting to it i just cant work it out, i have it firing today running then i turn key again and get a click noise there's no nicks in the cables whats going on please please someone help me dont wanna get rid of boat as its in excellent condition and its a lovely looking boat

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: johnson 60hp outboard wont start

If the starter does not perform when off the motor then there is issue #1 you have to deal with.

 

[mikesea]

Re: johnson 60hp outboard wont start

If you took the starter off ,put neg to the exterior ,and positive to the pos.lug and it just sparks badly,your starter is likely bad,Assuming you used a large sized cable ,like the cable from the battery,to the engine,if the wire is too small ,it wont carry enough amperage

 

[jason1987]

Re: johnson 60hp outboard wont start

mikesa

hello i took the starter motor off and put power to it it wunt power up and work so took it to the guy that fixed it the first time and the wire that had come off before had done the same again,so he resoldered it back on and out it back togther.
i then went back to my boat put the starter motor back on and the bendix moved then stopped as i turned the key.I then took the starter motor back off and put power to it nothing again so im guessing the wire has come off again so going to buy a new starter motor for it when i can find a place that sells them that is and then try it again with a new starter motor

 

[jason1987]

Re: johnson 60hp outboard wont start

hello everyone back again

right ive just got the new starter motor back i put it on the boat got it turning over then we realised the engines not getting fuel, so we put fuel to it turned the engine over again, and then we hit a problem the bendix on the new starter motor is still staying at the top keeping hold of the flywheel.
Does anyone have any idea's what wrong please please help me

 

[jtexas]

Re: johnson 60hp outboard wont start

First, your new starter bendix has to be the right one to mesh with the flywheel -- make sure it has the same number of teeth as the old one did.

The starter has to be aligned with the flywheel just right to avoid binding.

The binding problem, it didn't begin until you hooked up fuel to the motor?
It happens every time, or some of the time?

Is it binding, causing it to stop spinning? Or just not retracting when you release the key?

Did you get the motor started at all?

Lubricate the bendix threads with a couple drops light oil (I use 3in1 oil). Not grease (it'll attract dirt), not WD40 (it'll make the friction clutch slip).

Look under the cowl, there should be a plastic pounch stapled there, inside you'll find a rope with a wooden handle at one end..............

 

[carbineone]

Re: johnson 60hp outboard wont start

Maybe this is a OMC thing.My Evinrude 50HP has the Bendix stick in the flywheel occasionally and I have to remove the hood and turn the flywheel to get it disengaged.This happens sometimes when the nut holding the gear loosens up.Even does it occasionally when the nut is tight but not often enough to worry about.

 

[jtexas]

Re: johnson 60hp outboard wont start

Maybe this is a OMC thing.My Evinrude 50HP has the Bendix stick in the flywheel occasionally and I have to remove the hood and turn the flywheel to get it disengaged.This happens sometimes when the nut holding the gear loosens up.Even does it occasionally when the nut is tight but not often enough to worry about.

Well......I seriously doubt it's a design feature. Pretty sure it's a malfunction. In your case, I'm thinking that like most outboard chronic problems, it's more a "lack of proper maintenance" thing. Have you thought about maybe actually torquing that nut down to the specification printed in your manual?

 

[jason1987]

Re: johnson 60hp outboard wont start

hello thank you for the replies
The starter motor has the same number of teeth yes when i first put it on it was releasing from the flywheel but on the 3rd attempt of turning the engine over it started to get stuck so i had to wobble the flywheel back and forth so it would release.
Then when i turned the engine over again the bendix flys to the flywheel then just makes a sound and it like turns the flywheel a couple of teeth as if its struggling to turn it over, im really lost also someone mentioned about maintence ive had it checked over by previous owner he came round and checked it over i cant get a manual on it has there is no where around the engine that tells me the make or anything someone has pained the bottom half of engine in army green for some reason so seeing any writing is extremely difficult. IM on my last teather with the boat now

 

[jtexas]

Re: johnson 60hp outboard wont start

I guess you guys don't have titles to outboards (like we do here)?

Look on the port side engine mounting bracket for a plate with serial number and model number embossed on it. We can cross reference the model number.

If you can't find the model #, post some pics one with the cowl, and several without, from different angles.

Worked twice then started sticking...hmmm...ordinarily, when the engine starts, the flywheel turning faster than the starter motor makes the bendix screw itself back down it's shaft.

Are you using a known-good, fully charged battery?

[BTW, that "lack of maintenance" comment was really just a wisecrack directed at the other guy, hope he dint get offended]

 

[jason1987]

Re: johnson 60hp outboard wont start

hello
i think im going to make you all role over and laugh you know the fuel line does it have to be the exact one for the make of the engine as my dad decided to put the thinnest pipe on and its very tight you cant even suck the petrol out what he put inside it

 

[jtexas]

Re: johnson 60hp outboard wont start

Tank to pump, use 5/16. Fuel feed coming off the pump I think is 5/16; feed to individual carbs is 5/32, which I couldn't source locally so I used 3/16 which fits the carb nipples fine but is too big for the tee, so I replaced that with a 1/4" brass sprinkler system tee.

 

[jason1987]

Re: johnson 60hp outboard wont start

hello everyone
thank you for all you support and advice on the mateer of my boat not starting and all the faults ive had. Just letting you know i sorted the bedix on starter motor it was just sticking, then i sorced some thick fuel line and got he pump of he petrol line and tank at front of boatd and fed fuel from a can to the engine and it fired up the first turn of key, however i may be back with more problems yet touch wood i wont be.

Just again thank you too everyone that helped me out with the advice thank you ever so much you'll truelly be in my debt forever cheers jason