need help with johnson motor?

[kentuckybassman18]

i got a 1983 johnson 150hp. motor, it will not start, when i hit the key to start it the little gears on top of the starter will not go up enough to turn the flywheel, the little gears on top of the starter will turn but the flywheel will'nt turn? is it the starter bad? or could it be the solenoid bad? what is the solenoid for and what does it do? some times the motor will start,i can go back to the motor and pull that little gear up that is on top of the stater and it will turn the flywheel and it will start, but most of the time it will'nt start, because the little gears on top of the stater will not go up enough to hit the flywheel and turn it? so what might be wrong? help please!! thanks!!

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: need help with johnson motor?

Starter is probably not getting enough "juice". Clean battery connections, solenoid connections, ground connections, and starter connection - even if they all look OK. Make sure you're using a "hot" battery with a full charge.

 

[fireman57]

Re: need help with johnson motor?

Take a can of WD40 and lightly spray the shaft that the gear is on. It has lost any lubrication and picked up dirt that stops it from being able to rise as high as it needs too. If this works then it is not a battery problem. Make sure that you do not soak it just lightly spray it. If it works then get some very light machine oil, such a sewing machine oil, and lightly lube that shaft. Should be good for a year or two.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: need help with johnson motor?

i agree with boatbuoy, you can also take a jumper cable and carefully go from the + connection on the starter to the + side of the battery. old auto trick when igniton relay goes bad and your in the boonies.

 

[DJ]

Re: need help with johnson motor?

I'll bet fireman57's idea is right on.<br /><br />You can also "walk" the gear up the shaft, by hand, by rotating it the opposite direction that it turns when powered. That will help getting the WD-40 where it needs to go.