(Getting a new powerpack)(UPDATE) 1988 johnson 110 v4 killing at speed

[CalicoKid]

Hi all, I took my Baja out this sunday for the "last run" of summer for the sake of decarb and fogging after some fall color sightseeing. I never did get to the decarb or fogging because as soon as I got as far from the landing as I could get the motor cut out a couple of times in a second. This slowed me down, obviously, but the motor was still running fine after idling down. I shut off and checked the prop and skeg in case I might have hit something (OK) and started up and took off. Within 30 seconds of 2/3 throttle she cut out a couple of more times and died. There was no misfiring or loss of power, just nothing. The motor was at operating temp. We had been running at 2/3 throttle for about 30 minutes with a couple of full throttle blasts along the way. The starter cranked the engine fine but it would not fire up. The fuel bulb was hard. My battery is good. Fresh gas.<br /><br />Some generous fishermen towed me to a near landing (THANKYOU whoever you are!!!) and refused gas money. While being towed I crawled under the helm and tugged on some wiring around my ignition switch just checking for loose ones (everything was good) and after getting to the landing (15 minute tow) the enging fired right up.<br /><br />Not wanting to take a chance, I got a ride to my truck/trailer and hauled her home and haven't run the engine since.<br /><br />I've read often here that ignition switches can be problematic, Does that sound like a reasonable cause for my trouble? The switch is probably original to my 1988 low hours machine. the engine has always and continues to run perfectly. Like I said, it cut out without warning, as though I had turned the key off and on and off again. I hate to lead such a tangeant while troubleshooting so are there any other simple failures that could lead to such rapid shutdown? I'll be checking over the obvious wiring as soon as the rain stops.<br /><br />Thanks for reading, It's busy season for me so I might be slow to respond sometimes, thanks! Calico

 

[rodbolt]

Re: (Getting a new powerpack)(UPDATE) 1988 johnson 110 v4 killing at speed

hello does your emergency stop cap look like a rubber hat or a fork with a finger on the top?

 

[Solittle]

Re: (Getting a new powerpack)(UPDATE) 1988 johnson 110 v4 killing at speed

You used the majic word - - troubleshooting. Yes you could start replacing parts but often that just leads to taking your wallet out, turning it upside down and shaking vigerously without solving the real problem. Your description definately points to an electrical problem. I suggest that you find out what is and what is not working before you buy anything except the shop manual for your motor. I have a pair of 1987 110 hp and got my shop and parts manual here:<br /><br /> http://www.theoutboardwizard.bizhosting.com/parts_service_and_owners_manuals.html

 

[CalicoKid]

Re: (Getting a new powerpack)(UPDATE) 1988 johnson 110 v4 killing at speed

Thanks for replying, I have a clymer manual, and I don't have a kill tether, just the ignition switch. I know I SHOULD have a kill tether, I promise I'm installing one AFTER I fix the current situation!

 

[OBJ]

Re: (Getting a new powerpack)(UPDATE) 1988 johnson 110 v4 killing at speed

Calico....if you truly and honestly love that shaker that's shovin' your rig....get the OEM manual. It'll pay for itself with just one use....

 

[CalicoKid]

Re: (Getting a new powerpack)(UPDATE) 1988 johnson 110 v4 killing at speed

Yeah... You're right OBJ and SoLittle. I'm gonna find the right manual for my motor. So once I aquire the book do I shake it at the motor and say a little prayer?? <br /><br />I'm just all but convinced that I have a fault in the ignition switch circuit. I'm actually disapointed that I got her started again. I'd rather test for a definite problem than an intermittent one.<br /><br />My manual decicates all of two pages to removing and reinstalling any and all of the ignition systems components. No words on testing etc. If it EVER quits raining I might put her on the bay here at home and run in circles and try to reproduce the troubles and then pull the ground from my switch and see if that clears it up. Sound about right?<br /><br />OBJ, I truly love that motor as much as any man can love a machine. I do believe that she is the finest engine to ever come out of any factory anywhere. She is perfect (that's why I blame the switch ) Thanks, Calico

 

[OBJ]

Re: (Getting a new powerpack)(UPDATE) 1988 johnson 110 v4 killing at speed

Here's a couple places Calico....<br /><br /> http://ww3.kencook.com/evinrudejohnsonmanuals/ <br /><br /> http://www.marineengine.com/manuals/johnson/order_pre-1980.html <br /><br />If ya' need any help, just post....good luck!

 

[Solittle]

Re: (Getting a new powerpack)(UPDATE) 1988 johnson 110 v4 killing at speed

Sometimes prayer and cussin are only a breath apart.

 

[OBJ]

Re: (Getting a new powerpack)(UPDATE) 1988 johnson 110 v4 killing at speed

Ahhhhh friend SoLittle...sounds as if we both have ventured into the same territory....(got any good words to pass on....seems I've used most of'm up)

 

[dolluper]

Re: (Getting a new powerpack)(UPDATE) 1988 johnson 110 v4 killing at speed

forget the four letter words move on try five letter words I did

 

[Solittle]

Re: (Getting a new powerpack)(UPDATE) 1988 johnson 110 v4 killing at speed

OBJ - It is said by some the Jesus was a carpenter. I have to think that there were times when he was out in the shop working with his dad and his hammer managed to hit his thumb. Since he was in all ways human but sin - me thinks there was some cussin in the air. Not that it was recorded and passed on to us in the Bible. Now the prayer part could come befor or after the cussin. It works for me from time to time.

 

[ralkarcon]

Re: (Getting a new powerpack)(UPDATE) 1988 johnson 110 v4 killing at speed

I have a 1988 Johnson 90 HP V4 with a similiar problem. My engine will shut off every 12 seconds at 4000 rpms. It will restart after 1 second. Just like turning the key off and on. I have had two good marine motor shops check and they can not find any problems. They can not reproduce the shut off in their shops. I read the manuals and all they will provide is a method to determine if an ignition part has failed. There is no method to determine if a part has an intermitent problem such as yours and mine. The last repair person gave up on my problem. I felt sure the problem was the power pack. I just replaced it today for $110 and just returned from the lake. The problem is still there. I even replaced the ignition switch last week. I have my wits end. Let me know at ralkarcon@aol.com if you solve your problem.<br />Ralph

 

[CalicoKid]

Re: (Getting a new powerpack)(UPDATE) 1988 johnson 110 v4 killing at speed

I solved it alright... I fogged the motor and stored the boat for Winter. I'll likely replace the switch sometime over Winter and stick to the bays this Spring until I know whether I've fixed the problem or not.<br /><br />I did inspect all of my wiring and connections and found that nearly all of the ground leads needed tightening on the motor. None were terribly loose but all needed a half a turn or so to get snug again. Not sure though if it did any good, I haven't been on the water since. She ran without a hiccup on the muffs for fifteen minutes or so but I can't run WOT in the driveway!

 

[fireman57]

Re: (Getting a new powerpack)(UPDATE) 1988 johnson 110 v4 killing at speed

I hope that you cleaned all the connections first and checked for splices in the wiring.

 

[CalicoKid]

Re: (Getting a new powerpack)(UPDATE) 1988 johnson 110 v4 killing at speed

The wiring under the hood looks great. Nothing cobbled or crumbling there. I rewired the rest of the boat last winter and can account for every inch of wire and every connection in the entire boat. I was meticulous. I did however reuse the original key switch. I'll be replacing that. If the trouble persists I need to get to the more involved process of under hood troubleshooting. I wish Summer could have lasted a few more months!

 

[ralkarcon]

Re: (Getting a new powerpack)(UPDATE) 1988 johnson 110 v4 killing at speed

It is me with the 88 90 hp Johnson that shuts off. I replaced the ignition switch, the kill switch and the power pack. See my notes on my reply on my question of this date 12 06 04. I am able to go the lake even in the winter to check out any repairs or changes.<br />I still have my shut off problem at speed every 8 to 12 second.<br />Good luck when the ice thaws!

 

[CalicoKid]

Re: (Getting a new powerpack)(UPDATE) 1988 johnson 110 v4 killing at speed

Is your boat running OK at lower speeds, ralkarcon? Mine's only done this twice on the same day, the last day out. I was going 2/3 throttle both times. I'm gonna read up over Winter and just ski and tube on the bay this Spring until I can get a definite fault or confidence that it isn't going to happen anymore (after replacing my switch that is). At this point it's gremlins so I'm not going to venture to far from the trailer!!

 

[CalicoKid]

Re: (Getting a new powerpack)(UPDATE) 1988 johnson 110 v4 killing at speed

Well hello again, I thought it a good idea to add onto the end of my old post since it's the same issue again.<br /><br />I've had the boat out a few times this summer and no trouble at all except the motor stumbled once at cruising speed and cleared up. I thought my volt gauge was reading low at a glance when it happened so I've been watching it and it's showing 14 volts while running. I even took the multimeter out today and took a bunch of voltage readings which I'll post below.<br /><br />I have not replace the ignition switch yet, I did buy the factory manual, what a beaut!<br /><br />So today I went out with the intention of checking voltages at the battery and helm gauge at different RPMs etc. and after taking my readings we (wife and I) wanted to cruise around. Got about a quarter mile and died just like last year, like someone flipped a switch. I was out of the channel and upwind of my home-bay so it was a good situation to be broken down in if there is one. I shut off the key and crawled under the helm with the meter. 12.5 volts to ground on power term.B; Continuity between chassis ground and ground term.M; Continuity between ground term.M and kill term.M; turned key on and continuity remained, Gotcha! Turned key off and on again and lost continuity and motor fired up. Of course I can't reproduce the fault again so I'm not positive I've found my gremlin but I'm heading to town in about ten minutes to pick up a new switch. <br /><br />Below are some voltages I took while off/idle/running at the dash instrument and at the battery on the voltmeter. My battery is at least 4 years old and I'm afraid it needs replacing. Check these out and let me know if anything looks amiss or cause of a killing motor. Otherwise she flies, I moved some weight around and broke the 50mph barrier today by a few mph over at 5900 rpm. Runs real smooth through all rpms except from 600 to around 1500 rpm is a little gruff which I understand is a crossflow thing...<br /><br />Left column is dash instrument, right is voltmeter:<br /><br />Ign. OFF 12.5 12.5<br />Ign. ON engine Off 12.5 12.5<br />Idle Nuetral 12.9 13.2<br />Idle Forward 12.9 13.2<br />2000 RPM 13.2 13.8<br />3000 RPM 14.0 14.3<br />4000 RPM 14.1 14.6<br />5000 RPM 14.1 14.7<br />WOT 5900 RPM 14.1 14.7<br /><br />After running for ten minutes I was getting idle neutral and froward gear readings of 13.5 13.7 due probably to the battery recovering some charge. Starter cranks fast and trim/tilt works well too.<br /><br />Thanks for reading/responding! Calico

 

[CalicoKid]

Re: (Getting a new powerpack)(UPDATE) 1988 johnson 110 v4 killing at speed

I bought a new ignition switch this afternoon and installed it. If I can get the time and energy tomorrow I'm going to go out and do some skiing or running around and see if things work out.

 

[CalicoKid]

Re: (Getting a new powerpack)(UPDATE) 1988 johnson 110 v4 killing at speed

NO DICE!! I took the boat out this evening and got it warmed up, cruised about a half a mile and it died again, this time as I was accelerating from half throttle.<br /><br />Oh, of course it would start up once I got towed to the dock. I took off the hood right after it died so I could stare at the motor and whisper swearwords and shake my fist at it privately, it would not start yet though, had to wait, started at the dock.