1996 johnson 225hp won't turn over when cold.......

[Robin30588]

I have a 96 johnson 225hp that's giving me trouble when attempting to turn it on when the engine is cold. When i try to start the motor and its cold, start it wont turn on(even when i press in the key), so i tried removing one of the spark plugs to check for spark, when i do that it turns on fine. Can anyone advise me of what this issue can be and how to fix it???????

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: 1996 johnson 225hp won't turn over when cold.......

Check your battery cable connections at both ends. They must be very clean and tight. Have the battery load tested regardless of age.

 

[Robin30588]

Re: 1996 johnson 225hp won't turn over when cold.......

I tested and cleaned the battery terminals, and it tested ok. anything else you think it might be?

 

[Robin30588]

Re: 1996 johnson 225hp won't turn over when cold.......

don't know if this helps but after i finally get the boat to turn on, it will work perfect the rest of the trip. if i turn it off it will still turn on right away when i try to do so again

 

[boobie]

Re: 1996 johnson 225hp won't turn over when cold.......

When you say "turn on", do you mean won't turn over or won't start??

 

[Robin30588]

Re: 1996 johnson 225hp won't turn over when cold.......

Sorry I mean it won't start, the starter engages and spis the part on the top of the motor (not sure of the name) but it won't start

 

[boobie]

Re: 1996 johnson 225hp won't turn over when cold.......

Do you pump the primer bulb first? When you go to start it and have the key in the start position cranking over the mtr, are you pushing the key in all the time it's cranking??

 

[Robin30588]

Re: 1996 johnson 225hp won't turn over when cold.......

yes i prime the bulk prior to initially attempting to turn on the engine. when i have the key in the start position and I'm cranking to turn it on i press in the key for about 3-5 sec while turning the key. but after that i usually stop pushing in the key while cranking because I'm worried about flooding the engine....

 

[boobie]

Re: 1996 johnson 225hp won't turn over when cold.......

Try holding the key in once until it fires and see what happens. When it fires then try to start without pushing the key in.

 

[Robin30588]

Re: 1996 johnson 225hp won't turn over when cold.......

ok sorry it took me so long to respond. a couple of days ago i tried to start the engine and i didn't pay attention for the click and it didn't turn on until i pulled out a spark plug. Then today I attempted to turn on the boat and i checked for the click on the primer solenoid, it clicked and the boat turned on without any problems. Im going to attempt the same tomorrow morning and i will post my results

 

[jere1972]

Re: 1996 johnson 225hp won't turn over when cold.......

I have learned since I picked up mine (99 Johnson225) that there is a certain art in starting these things, my process is this, and it took awhile to figure it out. When cold or sitting for more then 4 hrs I have to prime the primer bulb, turn the ignition to the run(on) postion, push the key in for 10sec release go back and prime the bulb again push the key in for 10 more sec(all this is done before I even attempt to crank the motor) advance the throttle to around 1/4-1/3 throttle (making certain your in neutral) you should have a shift cable disengage button on your controls. then I proceed to crank the motor, at the same time pushing the keyswitch to engage the primer solinoid while cranking, she will always fire right up within 2-3 sec 1st time everytime. If I do not have my throttle advanced she will damn near run my battery down before she finally starts, same thing if I don't activate the primer solinoid for 10sec prior to cranking, the second primer bulb pump and key push may not be required but I do it anyway saves me grief! Is this Engine new to you?

 

[Robin30588]

Re: 1996 johnson 225hp won't turn over when cold.......

Yes it is, it was previously my dads boat but he knows nothing about boats. So now that I have I'm trying to get it working the way it should be thanks you the help tho, I'm gonna try that and ill let you kno how it works

 

[jere1972]

Re: 1996 johnson 225hp won't turn over when cold.......

Just remember, these engines do not have chokes they have primer solinoids when activated they rely on the built-up fuel pressure created by the primer bulb, to push fuel directly into the intake manifold passages, the longer you activate the solinoid the more fuel will be pushed! opening the throttle a bit allows the engine to pull more air which aids in getting the fuel back to the plugs along with some extra O2! If this motor is new to you it can be very difficult to start and frustating (been there), once you have gotten the proper technique down, you will have no problem in the future! good luck!

 

[boobie]

Re: 1996 johnson 225hp won't turn over when cold.......

The primer bulb is used only to prime the system carbs and all. When the primer solenoid is activated the fuel that goes through it comes from the vro or the fuel pump when cranking or starting by pushing in the key.