Just having the hardest time with a 90hp johnson

[emanpimpster]

This summer my mom had my grandfathers old boat hauled down from North Dakota after he passed away. It is an 18' 1984 wellcraft. All summer I've been working on getting the trailer and electrical in working condition. We had it fully serviced at the local boat repair company. It has a 90hp johnson and a 9.9hp yamaha.
Anyways it was all ready to go and the key was left in the on position so when we got to the ramp the battery was dead(its got a single dual purpose battery). Frustrated we pulled it back home because we couldnt get it started. I took out the battery and hooked it up to a charger for about 12 hrs. I put it back in the boat and now when I go to try and start the motor, I turn the key and the starter spins really fast like it has good power but I cannot get the motor to turn over for the life of me. Does anyone have any ideas of what I am doing wrong? The throttle is in neutral, it doesn't even sound like its trying to fire, just the starter is making noise spinning. Thank you for your help, it's all i've got my father wants nothing to do with it.
Also I wouldnt recommend P and J marine in Gainesville, FL, drive to Ocala. They are barely helpful when your writing them a check much less calling and asking a few questions. I'd think they would be friendlier after I dropped close to $1000 just weeks ago.

 

[aclmvh]

Re: Just having the hardest time with a 90hp johnson

Sounds like the solenoid is not engaging the starter gear with the flywheel. You should be able to see that pretty clearly- remove the motor cowling and watch the small gear at the top of the starter motor- when you turn the key to crank the motor it should lift up and engage, then turn the flywheel (and thereby, the motor). If that's not happening, lightly tap the solenoid and starter motor with the butt of a screwdriver and hit the starter gear and top of the stater motor with WD40. That may loosen things up and help the solenoid engage- if not, you might want to troubleshoot the solenoid to see if it needs to be replaced. Good luck!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Just having the hardest time with a 90hp johnson

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.

it also sounds like you have something connect to the ignition switch which should not be. nothing but the starting circuit should be connected to the ignition.

what us they model # of the motor or year.

what did you do to prepare the motor for start up? http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=299680

 

[countvlad]

Re: Just having the hardest time with a 90hp johnson

Sounds like the solenoid is not engaging the starter gear with the flywheel. You should be able to see that pretty clearly- remove the motor cowling and watch the small gear at the top of the starter motor- when you turn the key to crank the motor it should lift up and engage, then turn the flywheel (and thereby, the motor). If that's not happening, lightly tap the solenoid and starter motor with the butt of a screwdriver and hit the starter gear and top of the stater motor with WD40. That may loosen things up and help the solenoid engage- if not, you might want to troubleshoot the solenoid to see if it needs to be replaced. Good luck!

i agree^^^^^ is the starter spining the motor/flywheel??? take the cover of and look at it

welcome to boating, now its time to get a service manual for the motor