Johnson Elecrical Problems

[kingred75]

Hello, Yesterday I was on the water and my battery died, this was odd, due to this battery just being charged. The engine started just fine and all my electronics worked and my livewell. When we hit our first fishing spot, about 3 miles from the boat ramp, the gps turned off, but he livewell remained working. I called and got a jump. When we went to jump the battery, the motor turned over and fired. The smoke came from the top of the engine. So needless to say I had to be towed in. I have a 1989 Johnson V6 VRO 200 HP. I have no power to the motor or the tilt and trim. I checked the inline fuse on he motor and it isn't blown. I could smell that something electrical has burnt out. If the power packs are burnt out, will this cause the tilt and trim to have no power? Is there anything else I need to look at to find a short. I believe this was all caused by a faulty battery, is that possible? I put my new battery in when I got home and all my electronics worked again. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Jeff

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Johnson Elecrical Problems

99% of those problems are cables. deteriorated cables corroded connections.

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

 

[CharlieB]

Re: Johnson Elecrical Problems

Sounds as if the voltage regulator/rectifier burnt thru, possibly melting the charge coils in the stator. The charging system is separate from the fuse on the motor.

You will need a DVA Meter and test both of these electrical parts to be sure which is needed.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Johnson Elecrical Problems

It was not caused by a faulty battery. Batteries cannot poke around inside an engine and pick a part at random to destroy. The current from the battery passes down various paths in the engine and if there is a defect in the engine that current can burn things up. The rectifier/regulator comes to mind as the probable cause of the battery going dead. A shorted diode in that unit can cause a high current drain. Another aspect of this is that batteries can die almost instantly. The fact that you charged it before you left means absolutely nothing. Dying batteries cannot "hold" a charge so it lasted long enough to start the engine and then began the death spiral. The battery is not required to run the engine. So the actual cause is really unknown but I suspect the rectifier/regulator is suspect and most likely needs replacing. Along with that, a thorough inspection of the wiring on the motor is in order. Follow your nose. The odor will lead you to damaged components.

 

[kingred75]

Re: Johnson Elecrical Problems

Thanks to all, the smoke is coming from the rectifier/regulator! One last question, since the rectifier/regulator is fried, does this cause the motor to not crank at all? I replace all battery cables and all connections too.