1998 Johnson 115 J115ELECM Starting Issues

[midsized johnson]

My 115 won't crank enough to get spark. Ran it this past Saturday and it ran well, although it was a bit hard to start for the run home.
What it does is this. At first, when I turn the key, it will crank normally, then it bogs down like the battery is out of juice. Battery checked out fine. I pulled the starter and had it bench checked and it tested good. I cleaned up all connections and had the same result. Pulled the lower unit to see if it was locked up, but the driveshaft spins freely. My buddy is bringing over a battery cable to bypass the existing one although the one in there is only a few years old and looks new. Any other checks I can perform? Anyone familiar with this problem, or is it just a matter of chasing connections until I find the culprit?

 

[ondarvr]

One other thing to look at is the starter solenoid, if the contacts are damaged they can also create a poor connection after heating up. You can jump straight to the starter and bypass it.

 

[midsized johnson]

Thanks, will look into that.

 

[racerone]

I have to say it.------Take the starter apart for inspection.-----Take an ohm reading from the shaft to the commutator.---Should read infinity on a digital meter.----I install brushes at $4.50 a set all the time.-----These starters are very easy to work on.---If you get stuck , just holler.

 

[Chris1956]

BTW - your motor should be putting 12VDC into the power pack when the starter solenoid is activated. So you likely have enough spark. Is it possible your choke system is not working?

 

[midsized johnson]

When we checked voltage at the solenoid while cranking, it dropped from 12+ into the upper 8's. Clearly binding, so we pulled the flywheel cover off. The bendix felt pretty sloppy. On inspection, it appears that the lower bushing to the bendix was worn some. Some of the teeth on the flywheel showed wear along the bottom edge. Hopefully, that's the fix.

 

[Fed]

You should test with your meter and find out where you are dropping Voltage.
Start at the battery posts and work your way out to the starter motor and don't forget the Negative wire to the block.

 

[Chris1956]

Gee, 8.5 VDC is a normal cranking voltage at the battery and solenoid. If it drops below that, at the solenoid, you have an issue with battery condition or cable condition.

 

[midsized johnson]

Gee, 8.5 VDC is a normal cranking voltage at the battery and solenoid. If it drops below that, at the solenoid, you have an issue with battery condition or cable condition.

If 8.5 VDC is normal, then the bendix being in a bind (say that fast) makes sense. I'm going to replace the bushing that we destroyed taking out and try again. Will report back when I know something.
Thanks for the ideas!

 

[midsized johnson]

I have to say it.------Take the starter apart for inspection.-----Take an ohm reading from the shaft to the commutator.---Should read infinity on a digital meter.----I install brushes at $4.50 a set all the time.-----These starters are very easy to work on.---If you get stuck , just holler.

Winner winner, chicken dinner! Thanks for all the suggestions guys. Took the starter apart inspected brushes and cleaned up the armature base and greased the bushings. Cranked right up!
Thanks again!