weak starter

[gulfcoastfisher1]

{This is my first post so be easy on me}I just got a used 2000 25 horsepower Johnson model # J25ELSS that originally had a push start at the motor .The solenoid was bad so we change it. The mechanic put some different white wire that might not be the right type to the push starter all the way to the console. And it takes 25 pushes for it to catch the fly wheel and crank, and wires and battery terminals get really hot. Do you think the wire is the wrong type or something else could be weakening the starter?

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: weak starter

Hi gulf......., welcome to iboats!!<br /><br />Before the starter catches the flywheel (the first 24 pushes), does the starter spin?<br />What is the distance from the starter to the new switch? Do you know what size wire he used? The juice from the batt now has to go up to the new switch then back down to the solenoid, this could easily loose some much needed voltage.<br /><br />Yes, I think the wires are wrong and/or the batt terminals are dirty/loose.<br /><br />Aldo

 

[byacey]

Re: weak starter

If it's heavy guage wire, #4 or better, and the connections are good, then it shouldn't get hot unless the starter is drawing excessive current.

 

[gulfcoastfisher1]

Re: weak starter

yes, but but i does not have enough power to spend the fly wheel and its about 4 to 5 feet from the motor, and no i will se what wire it is tomarrow

 

[Walker]

Re: weak starter

I'd clean all battery cables and connections to the block and solenoid and from solenoid to starter and see what that does. It doesn't take much amperage from the key switch to the solenoid to make it work, therefore you don't need no 4ga. wire. Heck 12 or 14 should work.

 

[gulfcoastfisher1]

Re: weak starter

to clean them should i spary electrical cleaner or unscrew them and wipe them off

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: weak starter

Remove them, then use a wire brush on all the terminals and the connecting surfaces.

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: weak starter

Unscrew them and clean em with sandpaper/wire brush until shiney. If you want to go the extra mile, then apply some grease to the connection to keep out water. Ideally you would use "dielectric" grease but (dare I say?) any grease is better than no grease.<br /><br />EDIT: Dang, beaten again!

 

[gulfcoastfisher1]

Re: weak starter

also dose this model johnson have a alternator on it

 

[gulfcoastfisher1]

Re: weak starter

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: weak starter

It ought to. But if the battery terminals have been bad it's possible the rectifier has fried. The rectifier is part of the charging system. If the battery voltage goes higher after you start the engine it's fine & charging though.

 

[byacey]

Re: weak starter

Sorry, I should have been more clear - 4 guage wire between the battery and solenoid, and from the solenoid to the starter. The solenoid coil probably draws 10 to 25 Amperes, so as someone mentioned, 14 guage is fine for the starter switch to solenoid wire. If you have open or shorted windings on the starter it could be sluggish as you mention.

 

[gulfcoastfisher1]

Re: weak starter

^

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: weak starter

Uhhh, what's the question again?

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: weak starter

Your wire sizes are fine. You already replaced the solenoid. That leaves the starter. The brushes and commutator are probably burnt. Take the starter off and take it to your nearest auto electric shop and have it rebuilt.

 

[MCAMACHO2005]

Re: weak starter

It is very easy to take apart and check the brushes. I had the same problem, they told me it would be 40.00 just to look at it. So I did it myself brushes costed 18.00, my starter is better than ever now. Give it a try.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: weak starter

would be even easier to do a voltage drop test across the positive and negative cables and across the solinoid. would quickly confirm or eliminate cables and solinoid.<br />a voltage drop of more than .8V from the batt term to the stater cable indicates a fault between those points,more than .4v across the solinoid terminals indicates a fault with the solinoid, more than .4v from the solinoid batt term to the + batt term indicates a bad cable or cable connection. same with the -term to a good block ground. any more than .8V while cranking indicates a problem. test takes 3 min or so to run.

 

[gulfcoastfisher1]

Re: weak starter

thanks i try that

 

[gulfcoastfisher1]

Re: weak starter

it jump it off at the solinoid and it cranks fine so the wire might be bad are to long from the solinoid to the ingnition button

 

[gulfcoastfisher1]

Re: weak starter

and is there a certain type of starter wire that you can buy