Starting issue

Lukiebs

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Dec 26, 2008
Messages
42
I just got a 1995 Johnson 90hp and I got the guy i bought if off to turn it over for me and it started fine. Got it home and hooked it up to the old battey that the other outboard ran off and it would not turn over. when i turned the key the alarm sounded to tell me it's ready and the trim works so i go and try to turn it over and nothing except for a tiny bit off smoke off the battery terminals and it arched on the battery. Any ideas??/ Could it be the battery is just too old or to small. It was used to start an 78 Johnson 115 before. Thanks
 

jonesg

Admiral
Joined
Feb 22, 2008
Messages
7,198
Re: Starting issue

The battery terminals are loose or dirty.
If it has thumbscrews replace them with nuts and use a wrench tighten them TIGHT.
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: Starting issue

99% weak battery, and loose terminals.

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
 

Lukiebs

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Dec 26, 2008
Messages
42
Re: Starting issue

Cleaned all the terminals and hooked up the old battery, Got a couple of clicks out of the starter then nothing.The battery just smoke a little of the negative terminal. I think the battery has had it. Will go get a new one to try it out.
 

JB

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Messages
45,907
Re: Starting issue

Did you clean both ends of both battery cables... and the short one from the solenoid to the starter??? Did you check the cables for weak/swollen places??

If you are getting a hot terminal a large amount of current is flowing. That doesn't sound like a bad battery. It could be a bad starter.

Go to the Engine FAQs Forum and do the starter circuit testing in "Outboard won't start".

Let us know what you find.
 

levittownnick

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 2, 2003
Messages
789
Re: Starting issue

If you have a hot or sparking terminal, you have a bad connection at that terminal. Don't look any further.
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: Starting issue

connections have to be tight, use a wrench or pliers. not hand tight.
 

ezeke

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 19, 2003
Messages
12,532
Re: Starting issue

You may need to replace the battery cables. They tend to corrode inside the sheathing over time; you can usually find the weak spots by the heat that the resistance generates.

You can also isolate starter problems with a voltage meter by conducting voltage drop tests.
 

Lukiebs

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Dec 26, 2008
Messages
42
Re: Starting issue

Thanks for the replies. I'll get out my other battery cables and i'll clean all the terminals and will see. Didn't think of cleaning the terminals to the starter. Put a volt meter on the battery and its down to only .05 amps so it's dead. Will get a new battery any way cause redoing the electrics as part of my restoration. will post after i try it out again.
 

Lukiebs

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Dec 26, 2008
Messages
42
Re: Starting issue

Also what is frustrating is the guy I pick it up from cranked it over first time when he had it hooked up to his truck. Thats why I'm thinking it battery. I'm using all the same cables but the only thing different is the battery.
 
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