67 Johnson 80hp last straw!

[Mr. Mason]

I have been all over this motor and am almost completely exhausted by it. Ok if anyone could tell me why a starter thats a fresh rebuild will engage whenever it wants to would be great. Could it be the voltage regulator or possibly the solenoid??? Possibly bad wiring from battery????

 

[samo_ott]

Re: 67 Johnson 80hp last straw!

It's usually wiring or the solenoid. The next time it fails to start try using a big jumper cable from the battery right to the starter. This will bypass all the other stuff.

 

[Mr. Mason]

Re: 67 Johnson 80hp last straw!

i did attempt that but the starter cut out i believe it got to hot and stopped. Could it be that its burned out already or def the solenoid??

 

[bktheking]

Re: 67 Johnson 80hp last straw!

A starter won't start without the solenoid engaging, work from the solenoid back. It doesn't sound like it's failing to start by your description, it sounds like its starting on it's own, correct?

 

[Mr. Mason]

Re: 67 Johnson 80hp last straw!

When I turn they key it'll catch a few times and then like I said its like you are bench testing a starter motor. Just completely spins with no gear engagement. Could this be the solenoid? It doesn't look like it has been replaced in a long time!

 

[LIQUID PROZAC]

Re: 67 Johnson 80hp last straw!

solenoid

 

[Lion hunter]

Re: 67 Johnson 80hp last straw!

The solenoid does nothing but act as a switch to send power to the starter. If it will spin, the solenoid is doing it's job. Have you tried to bench test, or bypass the solenoid using jumper cables? By fresh rebuild did they just do a brusk kit? Sounds to me like the starter is getting power but the bendix is not engaging all the time.
By "starting whenever it want's to" do you mean that It only starts sometimes or without you doing anything it tries to start?

 

[JB]

Re: 67 Johnson 80hp last straw!

It's usually wiring or the solenoid. The next time it fails to start try using a big jumper cable from the battery right to the starter. This will bypass all the other stuff.

Actually, the most common failure in the wiring is the ground connection to the block. If you use jumpers to confirm that the starter is good use them both. A +12v jumper only does not bypass the worst offender.

 

[Mr. Mason]

Re: 67 Johnson 80hp last straw!

Here's my best explanation. When I start the engine it seems the starter pushes the bendix up an it will crank a few times, after that, it will spin freely and it almost sounds like a drop in power from the starter! I will try using the jumpers today when I get home from work. Would an under sized battery have something to do? Also thanks to all who have helped. Greatly appreciated!

 

[samo_ott]

Re: 67 Johnson 80hp last straw!

And you're 100% sure the battery is good? Have you tried another one just in case?

 

[bktheking]

Re: 67 Johnson 80hp last straw!

When I turn they key it'll catch a few times and then like I said its like you are bench testing a starter motor. Just completely spins with no gear engagement. Could this be the solenoid? It doesn't look like it has been replaced in a long time!

No , all the solenoid does is put power to the starter which sounds like it is doing. Direct test it from a working battery, sounds like the bendix is dropping back down , may not be getting enough power to spin quick enough or the starter is pooched.

 

[flatsfishing]

Re: 67 Johnson 80hp last straw!

It kinda sounds like your starter might be bad again... Just make sure you have a good ground and the battery is fully charged..

 

[Mr. Mason]

Re: 67 Johnson 80hp last straw!

I pulled the starter and bench tested it. Alls good there. So possibly the battery? Its a 650 cca battery. Took it to marina last week and they said its ok. He did recommend a 1000 cca battery. Do yall agree? Thanks again

 

[bktheking]

Re: 67 Johnson 80hp last straw!

650 should be enough to start it

 

[Mr. Mason]

Re: 67 Johnson 80hp last straw!

New info to feed on. I tried starting it again with the same result tried to jump it an the starter spun better but gear never raised up to engage flywheel. Then slowed an stopped and the positive line feeding it from battery was extremely hot to the touch. Polarity is correct. Any ideas??

 

[jonesg]

Re: 67 Johnson 80hp last straw!

Try removing the sparkplugs.
It should crank it over without fail.

If the engine is popping it will kick the bendix out of the flywheel.
That could be due to flooding or timing outta whack.

I flooded mine a couple of times before I got the starting proceedure down and it did exactly what you describe.

Its just another issue to eliminate.

 

[Mr. Mason]

Re: 67 Johnson 80hp last straw!

Sorry more to add. Just bench tested starter. All is good spins freely and doesn't drop power! What the heck is goin on!!?? Is it solenoid?? I did use a tester and saw that only approx 8 volts were coming off the starter side on the solenoid!

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: 67 Johnson 80hp last straw!

Hook a voltmeter to the starter, see what it drop's to when it fall's to that spinning state. A starter will still work with some sad looking brush's, but if the bushing's are wore out, and the armature drags on the field, that will bring thing's to a stop. Did they replace the bushing's? Can you grasp the bendix, and wiggle it back, and forth?

 

[Mr. Mason]

Re: 67 Johnson 80hp last straw!

Starter was completely rebuilt. New brushes etc. the bench test was a success it never dropped power nor sounded like it did before the rebuild. When i hooked the volt meter and tried cranking it, it never got past 8volts and once it stopped it dropped to 0 volts. since the gearcase on these starters never come off an just the starter does theres no extra springs or anything according to the book. could it be when the starter goes in to place that it is off slightly and not seating correctly?? i did loosen the bolts and gave it a slight tap and it seemed to be seated good. still pullin my hair>

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: 67 Johnson 80hp last straw!

It was down to 8 volt's, then went to zero when it stopped. Do you mean it went to zero while holding the key in the start position? Have you tried jumping the solenoid right from the battery to discount the key switch? Have you checked the neutral lock out switch? Bench testing a starter with just a set of jumper cables is not a test.