1967 Johnson 60HP stopped suddenly

[RickyAust]

Hello there, I was out today taking my boat for our first time since winter. (it is now summer over here in Australia). The motor is a 1967 Johnson 60HP VX model and was running extremely well until all of a sudden it just stopped at near top speed without any warning. Luckily we were close to the ramp so paddled back in. I tried to re-start the motor whilst still in the water but nothing, only a faint buzzing sound coming from the motor which after a few attempts also stopped. Now there is nothing at all when I try to turn it over. Any idea what this could be?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1967 Johnson 60HP stopped suddenly

it will not even turn over? or will not start? have you tried removing the spark plugs, and turning it by hand?

 

[JIGGER]

Re: 1967 Johnson 60HP stopped suddenly

Most time unless fuel inj youll get trouble signs of carb/fuel problems. Spit n sputter. Lack off power. Yours sounds electrical. Being a 60hp its got more than one coil/points. Chances of both failing is rare. Miss! Pull the plugs and make sure there are no hard spots. Should turn freely. If so check for spark. Make sure you ground the plugs with a jumper wire. If none check the ign supply.

 

[RickyAust]

Re: 1967 Johnson 60HP stopped suddenly

Hi there, well it wont actually turn over at all now. No sound at all. There was a slight buzzing sound when I tried to turn the key, but now this also has gone. It is an easy job to try and start it with the cord?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1967 Johnson 60HP stopped suddenly

DID you remove the Plugs and try to turn the flywheel????????

there should be a red inline fuse holder near the starter solenoid, 20 amp fuse. could be blown.
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

 

[RickyAust]

Re: 1967 Johnson 60HP stopped suddenly

I havent removed the plugs yet and tried to turn the flywheel. I will do so tomorrow. I have all the manuals, but is this an easy job to do? Do I need spark plug pullers?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1967 Johnson 60HP stopped suddenly

just a regular deep well 13/16" spark plug socket wrench. we need to know it the motor itself will turn. this is the 1 st step.

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: 1967 Johnson 60HP stopped suddenly

If you can't turn the flywheel by hand, this changes everything. Once you remove the plugs, then it should turn fairly easy. Make sure that you turn it only in the direction that it runs though.

 

[RickyAust]

Re: 1967 Johnson 60HP stopped suddenly

Well I cleaned both ends of the battery cables and re-charged my battery right up and success! it fired and turned over beautifully. You were spot on about bad connections. I didnt think this would cause it to just stop at full speed, but I think one of the battery termials may have also been loose.

I have another issue which I have just discovered, the choke is not activating from the switch on my dash, it is only working when I use the choke leaver on the motor itself. Could this be a sticky solenoid?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1967 Johnson 60HP stopped suddenly

with a multi meter check if you have 12 volt to the wire on the solenoid. have some one push the choke button. if you have 12 volts, you have bad solenoid or bad ground to solenoid. if not go back to the switch as they go bad also.