Electric starter Issue for 59 Johnson 18hp

[roger56]

Started boat today to test my carb rebuild. Starter (with key switch) worked fine as I am adjusting the idle for low speed it dies. Now I try to start again nothing. I turn the key approx. 10-15 times boom it fires again.
Now I do not want to take boat out on lake if I have an electrical issue. Only five wires coming from key switch. I put in a new key switch same thing happens. (not the key switch)
Clean all the connections on the motor all five places where the cable brings them under the cowling. Same thing works once but not twice. Took a set of jumper cables and can get the starter to work off of the battery. Continutiy check? Selinoid ? Which step next so I do not spend money on something I do not need. Any help would be great.

 

[Will Bark]

Re: Electric starter Issue for 59 Johnson 18hp

Did you clean the battery connections on the engine itself? You might have corrosion hidden in the battery cables. Last resort is the solenoid itself but others will chime in with other thoughts. Good luck

 

[roger56]

Re: Electric starter Issue for 59 Johnson 18hp

Battery terminels are clean I am thinking its one of the wires from the key switch to the motor?

 

[Will Bark]

Re: Electric starter Issue for 59 Johnson 18hp

Easy enough to check with your multimeter; connect to positive post of solenoid with meter and ground of the meter to engine block, turn the key and should show 12 volts to solenoid post. If voltage and no starter must be solenoid; but no voltage, bad wire. Good luck

 

[Will Bark]

Re: Electric starter Issue for 59 Johnson 18hp

One last thought; do you have a fuse in a holder near the solenoid? If so, pull it out and check for corrosion on the metal end and the clips in the holder. Had that happen to me one time.

 

[roger56]

Re: Electric starter Issue for 59 Johnson 18hp

there is a connection area next to solenoid (fuse ?) wire coming into a small box looking piece with terminels on it?

 

[lindy46]

Re: Electric starter Issue for 59 Johnson 18hp

Check solenoid ground to engine.

 

[roger56]

Re: Electric starter Issue for 59 Johnson 18hp

I am just going to change the solenoid and the wiring to the switch. That should cover all the bases? Where can I get a solenoid for the motor 1959 Johnson 18hp with electric start, and I think electric choke.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: Electric starter Issue for 59 Johnson 18hp

Voltage drop testing will find faulty sections of wiring. Let us know if you need help with this.

Hook test lead from the battery to the small posts of the solenoid, and ohm meter leads to the large posts. When the voltage is connected to the small posts, does it click? Is there continuity across the large posts on the meter?

 

[roger56]

Re: Electric starter Issue for 59 Johnson 18hp

I will attempt to get this corrected this weekend. Is there a special type of solenoid I need to order? Can I get one at an auto parts store?

 

[Will Bark]

Re: Electric starter Issue for 59 Johnson 18hp

No, you need a marine grade solenoid from a marine dealer or you may be able to get one from a NAPA parts store.

 

[lindy46]

Re: Electric starter Issue for 59 Johnson 18hp

Check Ebay or go to AOMCI.org and post a free want-ad.

 

[roger56]

Re: Electric starter Issue for 59 Johnson 18hp

Thanks guys I will let you know if I get this problem corrected.

 

[roger56]

Re: Electric starter Issue for 59 Johnson 18hp

Here is an update on my starter and soleniod issues. Removed all wires and tested them all were ok. As Instructed above I tested solenoid with a mutimeter. I will try to explain how I tested it . With the multimeter turned on as I am looking at the soleniod Large post on left attached to this post is the incoming cable from battery and one lead that goes to the key switch. Placed Pos lead from multitester to this post and ground lead from tester to engine block. Got reading of 12.57. Turn key nothing! then Put pos multitester lead on large post on right of solenoid and ground to engine block Nothing on meter. Turned key nothing on meter.
So I took a solenoid that I got at the napa store. I don't think its a marine solenoid but the guy told me it should work untill he can get the correct one in. It looked like the correct size and a 4 wire application. Here is the NAPA part number ST81SB.
Removed the old solenoid. When removing old one I noticed the ground post (small on left) was loose and fell off when removing.
Installed new solenoid though this is it turned key The starter moved but not with enough force to engage .
I then Checked voltage from right large post when turning key only 2.5 Volts??????
I am now scratching my head (not much hair left) Is this solenoid defective or not the correct one for this motor. I just want to go fishing on my boat.
So tomm i will try to find a marine solenoid. Buy an new battery (my as well replaced every thing else elctrical on this boat) and try again to get this motor fixed. If I am doing something wrong tell me sorry this post is so long just frustrated.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: Electric starter Issue for 59 Johnson 18hp

Did you try to test it as I mentioned? I did not see so in your post

Also, you cannot use a non marine solenoid, even temporarily, no matter what the genius at NAPA tells you

 

[roger56]

Re: Electric starter Issue for 59 Johnson 18hp

Did you try to test it as I mentioned? I did not see so in your post

Also, you cannot use a non marine solenoid, even temporarily, no matter what the genius at NAPA tells you

Ok I will Yank out the NAPA solemoid and get the marine solenoid. The test you mentioned I get a little confused at times with electrical Jargon at times. You want a test wire from pos and neg posts on battery connected to the small posts of solenoid? Do I do this with it wired and mounted on motor or off the motor. Ohm meter (multitester will work?) Should the reading be 12 Volts?
I have great respect for electric curremts and do not want to blow anything up including myself.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: Electric starter Issue for 59 Johnson 18hp

Do it with the solenoid off the motor if you can, no wiring installed.

You have it right, except you are simply looking for continuity across the large posts. Use your ohm icon on your tester. You will not see 12.65 volts as the battery is not installed. The solenoid is simply a switch, so when powered should allow continuity across the large posts, so that when installed on a boat, voltage will travel from the battery to the starter when the key is turned. You should also hear an audible click when you use the jumper cables from the battery on the small posts.

Nothing terrible will happen, I promise

 

[roger56]

Re: Electric starter Issue for 59 Johnson 18hp

Do it with the solenoid off the motor if you can, no wiring installed.

You have it right, except you are simply looking for continuity across the large posts. Use your ohm icon on your tester. You will not see 12.65 volts as the battery is not installed. The solenoid is simply a switch, so when powered should allow continuity across the large posts, so that when installed on a boat, voltage will travel from the battery to the starter when the key is turned. You should also hear an audible click when you use the jumper cables from the battery on the small posts.
Nothing terrible will happen, I promise

Ok I will try this. I am a geek when it comes to fixing something. I will not give up untill its fixed. Just need the right info and tools to do the job Thanks for the info now its up to me to get it repaired.