Motor won't start with starter

[Mike_WI]

1990 Johnson 60HP

I was in the middle of the lake last Sunday, shut the motor off to do some fishing and upon trying to restart, it would crank really slow and not fire. It had started a couple times not 10 minutes before that, no problem at all. The thing that baffles me is the battery wasn't dead, it would still run the power tilt just fine, just like it was fully charged. Luckily I had a rope and was able to pull start it and get off the lake. Could it be a starter issue or a charging issue? How do I test the charging system? I plan to remove the starter Saturday to have it tested.

 

[Daviet]

Re: Motor won't start with starter

A lot of starter problems are caused by electrical connections, make sure cables connections are clean and tight. Check voltage at starter with a volt meter, should have battery voltage when you try to start engine, if not check voltage at stsrter solenoid.You can do a quick charging system check with a volt meter, check the battery voltage before you start and recheck with engine running mid RPM, (1800-2000). You should see a voltage increase at higher RPM, hopefully around 13.8 volts.
You might want to invest in a OEM manual, it will have a troubleshooting section to help you out, and you will find it helpful for other problems also.

 

[Fuzzytbay]

Re: Motor won't start with starter

1990 Johnson 60HP

I was in the middle of the lake last Sunday, shut the motor off to do some fishing and upon trying to restart, it would crank really slow and not fire. It had started a couple times not 10 minutes before that, no problem at all. The thing that baffles me is the battery wasn't dead, it would still run the power tilt just fine, just like it was fully charged.

Hmmm starter just died?
Battery's good though since it runs the power trim?

Ok I'd recharge the battery, first before I'd remove a starter. Its quick and easy, and most likley your problem. As Dave said, if not the battery itself, then check your charging system, then connections, then if all else is good, then look at the starter.

 

[Al-53]

Re: Motor won't start with starter

First check all the connections...from the battery to the starter...the positive and negatives...clean every one...on the solenoid also...I use a scotch-brite pad and clean cable ends and connection surface....make sure all grounds are clean....on the engine also...

After you clean them and try to start..if same....feel the cable going to starter...see if its warm or hot....it may have corriosion on the inside and causing a resistance...

98% of the time ..starter problems come down to just dirty connections...hopefuly that's your problem....

you can test the starter by using jumper cables....put the negitive on a engine ground...and the positive on the stud on the starter...then hook up the negitive on the battery and hit the positive with the cable if it spins it's a bad connection some where or maybe the solenoid....do it in that sequence since it keeps a spark away from any gas in the engine

if it does the same as before..you may need to rebuild the starter...just a brush kit is needed if windings look good...rebuilding is easy....

Al