1975 85 HP need ideas

[joeyd50]

Ok guys, I have a 1975 85 HP Johnson, when I try to start it nothing happens, I put a test light on the starter and every time I try to start it the test light comes on. Now if I jump the starter from the same battery it will crank the motor but slow, if I pull the plugs it will crank very fast. Any ideas what I should look for?
Thanks
Joe

 

[tschamp20]

Re: 1975 85 HP need ideas

probably a bad or undercharged battery.take it to auto parts store and have it load tested.with the plugs out theres very little resistance so the battery can manage to spin it

 

[ezeke]

Re: 1975 85 HP need ideas

Thanks JB

 

[clint]

1975 85 HP need ideas

Bad, bad, >>Battery! Dont mess around with a half charged or a possibility that it will die while your out on the water. For $60.00 or less you can buy one of the best batteries on the market. Look for the sales,even better. Walmart has the low cost high amp ones. I have 2 currently in my boat for 2 years with the perko switch. Always have a reserve if one fails. One more important item is make sure your charging system is working up to par. Good Luck!
Clint

 

[joeyd50]

Re: 1975 85 HP need ideas

Thanks guys I'll check to make sure the batteries are fully charged. I don't think it?s the batteries, I have two hook up together in the boat, and I also tried the battery I use in my little boat. I'll get the old wire brush out and do some cleaning.
Thanks Again
Joe

 

[Solittle]

Re: 1975 85 HP need ideas

Check not only the ends of the battery cables but the cables themselves. I have seen cables with good ends and the cables themselves were green with corrosion. To verify try seperate cables.

 

[joeyd50]

Re: 1975 85 HP need ideas

OK guys, I went out today and jump the starter with my truck, it still turns slow, I know its way to slow to start. I thought for sure jumping it with my truck would have turned the motor quick enough to start. I got to let you know I just put this motor on my boat, it has been sitting for 2 years, but I always made sure it would not seize buy turning it by hand at least once a week. I'm open to any suggestions.
Thanks
Joe

 

[bogggar1]

Re: 1975 85 HP need ideas

Check and replace battery cables, make sure battery has good charge anyway, check to make sure charging system is operation... as previously stated by others. Good luck!!!

 

[joeyd50]

Re: 1975 85 HP need ideas

When I said I jumped the starter, I didn't hook my truck to the boat batteries, I took the jumper cables from my truck and hooked the ground to the motor and hooked the positive directly to the starter. I buy passed the boat completely as if the motor was sitting on a stand.
Anybody Thanks
Joe

 

[ezeke]

Re: 1975 85 HP need ideas

Thanks JB

 

[ezeke]

Re: 1975 85 HP need ideas

Thanks JB

 

[ezeke]

Re: 1975 85 HP need ideas

Thanks JB

 

[joeyd50]

Re: 1975 85 HP need ideas

ezeke, may I ask way you think it?s the starter? I know a guy who does rebuild starters, I had the starter out and bench tested it, and it worked fine, so when I put it back in I cleaned the three bolt holes and the motor, and it does crank like crazy with the plugs out. I know having the plugs out there's no back pressure, I don't know of any other way to test a starter.
Thanks
Joe

 

[ezeke]

Re: 1975 85 HP need ideas

Thanks JB

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1975 85 HP need ideas

take the starter to the guy and let him test it. he has the right equipment.

 

[bigbob_FTW]

Re: 1975 85 HP need ideas

If you by-passed everthing else and it will not turn the engine, the starter isn't strong enough or you are not in neutral. You can rope start that engine if you are strong enough.

You'd have to be superman if its cold. (at least on mine)

 

[joeyd50]

Re: 1975 85 HP need ideas

I GOT IT, its cranking great. This is the first outboard I had on this boat and I knew nothing about hooking it up, so I asked a wiring question and it turns out I only had the big red connector hook up and not the hot and ground from the battery to the motor, I don't know much about outboards, now I got to get it to start. I'm sure I'll be back with more questions. A BIG thank you to everybody.
Joe