motor will not do anything

[georgiaboy]

Got a 40 hp 1987 Johnson and it will not even pick up the choke. It is absolutely not the battery. the only fuse i found seemed ok so where do I start????

 

[jtexas]

Re: motor will not do anything

If the fuse you found isn't a 20 amp fuse in an inline holder on the red wire running between the starter solenoid and the big red main wiring harness plug, start there.

That big red plug connects that red wire to a red/purple wire that carries 12V to the keyswitch. Since neither the starter solenoid nor the choke solenoid will engage, then you know that the fault is somewhere in that wire or in the connection at the plug, or the keyswitch.

Pull the plug apart see if the pins are making good connection, make sure there's no corrosion in there, or in the inline fuse holder.

Check the red wire connection at the solenoid for corrosion. On the same solenoid post, you'll find the positive battery cable -- make sure it's tight and corrosion free.

Also the cable connection at the battery post -- take all the wiring connectors off & clean 'em up, use sandpaper if necessary, make 'em shine. If it's wingnuts on the battery posts, tighten 'em with pliers.

The do the same for the battery negative cable on both ends.

Still no go, you'll have to troubleshoot the keyswitch. The B terminal should test positive for continuity with the S terminal with key turned to "start", and with the C terminal with key pushed in and turned to "on" or "start".

Let us know what you find.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: motor will not do anything

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

 

[georgiaboy]

Re: motor will not do anything

all connections seem to be clean and shinny. when the switch is turned on it does make the alarm sound for a few seconds. I also put a auto starting battery pack on the connection terminals and still nothing. It has to be something freaky. I been messing with cars and outboards since I was 13 ( 51 years ago) but sometimes my mind is not as young as my previous knowledge. I will check the ignition switch and let y'all know. thanks

 

[georgiaboy]

Re: motor will not do anything

why couldn't it be that safty switch- never messed with one of those?

 

[jtexas]

Re: motor will not do anything

ok, you didn't mention the alarm before. If the alarm sounds, then juice *is* getting to the keyswitch, so forget everything I said.

a faulty neutral start switch would prevent the starter solenoid from actuating, but would have no effect on the choke solenoid. Both solenoids breaking down simultaneously is highly improbable although not impossible.

a multimeter or voltmeter or 12V test light can be used to see if power is getting to the solenoids.

if by "seem to be clean and shinny" you mean anything other then "took 'em apart for inspection", then there could still be corrosion that you can't see without taking 'em apart.

 

[georgiaboy]

Re: motor will not do anything

update- cranks like crazy but will not run. I see no choke solinoid nor do i see the butterflies nor the holes for such. How does it choke itself?