engine won't crank over

[siusaluki23]

1970 johnson 60 hp. took it out for the first time today, engine cranked over for a second and then it stopped and won't turn over(makes no noise at all). i have power to the engine because i can here the choke when i hit the switch. I am guessing it is the starter or solenoid. help me out if ya can.

 

[iwombat]

Re: engine won't crank over

More than likely a bad battery connection.

Clean and inspect them all.

 

[siusaluki23]

Re: engine won't crank over

brand new battery and cable ends. i have power to the engine because choke is working.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: engine won't crank over

Have you checked the 20 amp fuse near the starter??

 

[ryan04]

Re: engine won't crank over

Being a 1970 I can imagine it's an electric shift? If so I just went through a similar problem with my 72 125hp. Check to make sure that your connector from your controls to the engine is done up tight, after that you need to check your fwd rev switch, starter, and solonoid. For your fwd rev switch turn your key to the on position and check your green wire for 12v, if you have power there then that means your engine should be able to switch into neutral, these electric shift engines default to drive, which will then make it a little harder to start while in drive to bypass the default setting. To bypass your switch join the two white wires coming out of your switch and if the engine starts you can probably safely assume your switch is pooched. For your starter just put 12v to the starter and if she kicks then she's alive. For your solonoid I don't really know a test procedure. Hopefully this helps. if not sorry.

 

[siusaluki23]

Re: engine won't crank over

thanks i will try tomorrow, hopefully it starts. didn't know there was a 20 amp fuse near the starter where exactly is it?

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: engine won't crank over

If you have power to the choke, it's not the fuse. Remove, clean (wire brush and/or sandpaper) all connections including the battery(pos. & neg.), both ends battery-to-solenoid cable, both ends solenoid-to-starter cable, both ends neg. battery cable. I'm betting you fix it.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: engine won't crank over

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. have the battery load tested at the auto parts store.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: engine won't crank over

If the suggested items don't fix it, connect one end of a jumper cable to the POS terminal on the battery. Touch the other end directly to the large post on the starter. If the starter spins, you have an ignition switch, harness, harness connector, solenoid, or other connection problem. If it doesn't spin, have the starter rebuilt.

 

[siusaluki23]

Re: engine won't crank over

thanks guys i will give it a shot today and see what happens!

 

[siusaluki23]

Re: engine won't crank over

Update

starter engages when i bypass solenoid. So i'm guessing it is either my solenoid or my ignition. Where can i get a solenoid and ignition other than the web? NAPA?

 

[siusaluki23]

Re: engine won't crank over

update

I bought a new solenoid and it did not fix my problem. checked my ignition switch ...12V to red wire when key turned to on... 12V to white wire when turned to Start ...12V to solenoid.

also on my ignition has 1 white, 1 red, 4 purple. 2 purple to a terminal and 2 to another.

reminder: 1970 johnson 60 horse with electric shift. Evinrude control box, i'm guessing 1970.

 

[Molaker]

Re: engine won't crank over

Update

starter engages when i bypass solenoid. So i'm guessing it is either my solenoid or my ignition. Where can i get a solenoid and ignition other than the web? NAPA?

There is a "safety" switch between the solenoid ground terminal and engine block ground. I think it is located on the starboard side of the engine and activated by the shift linkage. It will not allow the starter to operate if the shifter is not in neutral. You can verify this switch easily by jumpering from the solenoid ground terminal to the engine block and try the key start. Just be sure all is clear of the prop.

 

[F_R]

Re: engine won't crank over

The safety switch was likely the culprit to begin with. What kind of solenoid did you buy? If you put a car solenoid in there, you fried the safety switch anyway. In other words if it wasn't bad before it is now....IF you put a car solenoid in that is.

The safety switch is activated by the throttle linkage. If you have the throttle too far advanced, it won't crank. That's it's purpose in life.

 

[Molaker]

Re: engine won't crank over

The safety switch is activated by the throttle linkage. If you have the throttle too far advanced, it won't crank. That's it's purpose in life.

I knew that! Thanks for correcting me.

 

[siusaluki23]

Re: engine won't crank over

The safety switch was likely the culprit to begin with. What kind of solenoid did you buy? If you put a car solenoid in there, you fried the safety switch anyway. In other words if it wasn't bad before it is now....IF you put a car solenoid in that is.

The safety switch is activated by the throttle linkage. If you have the throttle too far advanced, it won't crank. That's it's purpose in life.

I put a replacement solenoid in it, same as the one that came off of it.

Can someone explain to me where this switch is? i'm not totally sure where the solenoid ground is.

 

[Molaker]

Re: engine won't crank over

I'm not 100% sure on your motor, but look on the starboard side just back of the throttle belcrank. Look for a little block (probably black) with a single black wire coming from it. But, you don't really need to locate it until you find out if that's your problem. Just try the suggestion I made earlier - "You can verify this switch easily by jumpering from the solenoid ground terminal to the engine block and try the key start."

 

[siusaluki23]

Re: engine won't crank over

I am not exactly sure how to ground the solenoid. My solenoid has 4 terminals. 1 from battery, 1 to the starter and 2 smaller terminals labeled I and S.

thanks for your help and for dealing with a newbie to boating.

 

[Molaker]

Re: engine won't crank over

Well, don't ground one of the large terminals! That's direct from the battery. I'm not sure which is which as far as "I" vs. "S", but usually the small terminal that goes to ground through the safety switch is on the side closest to the starter. It is probably a black wire leading to the safety switch (probably though the wiring harness). The other small terminal is the side that has the 12 volts applied when you hit the start key. Be aware, if you try measuring the small terminals to ground when in the start position, you will read 12 volts on both small terminals if the ground (safety switch) is open.

 

[siusaluki23]

Re: engine won't crank over

hey guys, heres an update

its fixed there is a bolt on the throttle linkage that needs to be contacted to let the engine turn over. seems like it is always the simple stuff when i have no idea what i am doing.

BTW everyone has been a great help and this forum is fantastic