83 Johnson 115 hp No start help.

[stevesmith99]

Hey all. New to the forums here and to boating. Got interested and ran across a deal I couldn't pass up. Anyway to the point. 83 Johnson 115 HP Not starting. Engine cranks over fine. Compression seems fine. (anyone with specs please post) Suspect no fire in spark plugs. Looking for a good place to start.
Thanks all ahead for replys.

 

[Pokertrampp]

Re: 83 Johnson 115 hp No start help.

Start with the spark, if you think its not getting spark that should be your first test. get a spark tester and verify it is getting spark if it is then move on to the fuel system.

you say compression "seems" fine, that would indicate you did a compression test, what were the readings.

also, has the boat been sitting unused for any length of time?

 

[stevesmith99]

Re: 83 Johnson 115 hp No start help.

i will recheck the compression to give you more accurate readings. quick quess was the gauge showed around 100psi. (if i am reading it correctly.) I just done a quick check with the guys gauge that i got the boat from to see if it was doing anything. And, yes the boat has been sitting for a year minimum maybe more. Seller was not very clear about how long it sit. He is the one that told me it had no spark. These are his words. " I had it out in the water some time back last summer or the summer before and it just died. A mechanic friend of mine said none of the coils were firing"
(also thanks for reading and reply)

 

[Pokertrampp]

Re: 83 Johnson 115 hp No start help.

The compression should be fine if thats the correct reading, verify it is getting spark and we can go from there.
also, have you read the IT HAS BEEN SITTING 2 YEARS, WHAT TO DO? article in the Top Secret File ?

 

[stevesmith99]

Re: 83 Johnson 115 hp No start help.

That is great information and I will do all of that of course. But the biggest thing is I want to know how much I am looking at spending to get the motor running. That will decide if i keep it or sell it. I got the boat basically free. So if the motor is more trouble than its worth I will just sell it and buy something a little less worrysome to get running. If that makes any sense. I will reply later this evening with spark test results as I must head to work now. Thank you for the help thus far and look forward to futher assistance. Great forums.

 

[Pokertrampp]

Re: 83 Johnson 115 hp No start help.

But the biggest thing is I want to know how much I am looking at spending to get the motor running.

At this point you cant confirm if it is a fuel issue or and ignition/electrical issue so there is no way to even guess on a price untill you know what is wrong.

 

[stevesmith99]

Re: 83 Johnson 115 hp No start help.

Confirmed No spark from any of the 4 coils....where do i go from here?

 

[stevesmith99]

Re: 83 Johnson 115 hp No start help.

bump....still lost as can be.

 

[Pokertrampp]

Re: 83 Johnson 115 hp No start help.

Confirmed No spark from any of the 4 coils....where do i go from here?

It is highly unlikely that all the coils failed at the same time. Do you have a fully charged battery? The motor needs to spin at least 300+ RPM?s before it will make spark. Then check to make sure the kill/lanyard switch is not disconnected. If both of those check out verify you are getting power to the power pack and verify if power is going out to the coils. Post results.


1. Disconnect the black yellow kill wire and retest. If the engines now has fire, the kill circuit has a fault-possibly the keyswitch, harness or shift switch.


2. Disconnect the yellow wires from the stator to the rectifier and retest. If the engine fires, replace the rectifier.

3. Check the stator resistance. You should read approximately 1000 ohms from the brown wire to the brown/yellow wire and 100 ohms from the orange to orange/black.

4. Check the DVA output from the stator. You should have a reading of at least 150V or more from the brown wire to the brown/yellow wire (while connected to the pack).

5. Check the timer base resistance from the white wire to the blue, green, pink and purple wires. Reading should be 38-42 ohms.


6. Check the DVA output from the timer base. A reading of at least 0.5V or more from the white wire to the blue, green, pink and purple wires (while connected to the pack) is needed to fire the pack.


7. Check the cranking RPM. A cranking speed of less than 250-RPM will not allow the system to fire properly.



You will need a DVA for #4 AND #6, If you do not have a DVA, you can order one here:
http://www.usatoolwarehouse.com/usat...e/ESI-640.html

 

[stevesmith99]

Re: 83 Johnson 115 hp No start help.

It is highly unlikely that all the coils failed at the same time. Do you have a fully charged battery? The motor needs to spin at least 300+ RPM?s before it will make spark. Then check to make sure the kill/lanyard switch is not disconnected. If both of those check out verify you are getting power to the power pack and verify if power is going out to the coils. Post results.


1. Disconnect the black yellow kill wire and retest. If the engines now has fire, the kill circuit has a fault-possibly the keyswitch, harness or shift switch.

After doing this test found wire harness in very horrible shape. Repaired all wires and engine runs like a champ now. Thank you for your replies. (also got tilt of motor working as well. very happy. )

 

[thewiles]

Re: 83 Johnson 115 hp No start help.

After doing this test found wire harness in very horrible shape. Repaired all wires and engine runs like a champ now. Thank you for your replies. (also got tilt of motor working as well. very happy. )

Now thats what we all hope for rght there. congrats and happy boating!