Ignition switch '77 140 hp Johnson

[87Aggie]

I've been having trouble getting the motor to start. Yesterday, a new development occurred. After cranking it for a couple of seconds, I switched the key back to off and the starter continued to crank the motor. I had to undo the positive cable to the battery to stop the cranking. After a while, I attempted to reconnect the positive cable and immediately the starter began to crank again. Do I need a new ignition switch?

 

[STEVEHONAS]

Re: Ignition switch '77 140 hp Johnson

THE SOLINOILD STUCK

 

[rwise]

Re: Ignition switch '77 140 hp Johnson

yep, replace the solinoid, it'll do it again. you may be able to tap it and get it to unhang. <br /><br />remember sparks at the battery are not a good thing!

 

[Kenneth Duke]

Re: Ignition switch '77 140 hp Johnson

Depending on the condition of youre battery's state of charge if youre cranking amp are low this will also cause this condition.It will cause the starter soliniod to stick every time.To aviod this keep the battery fully charged at all times. Tap on it lightly to free it and charge the battery.Also do a compression check to find out why youre outboard is hard to start.Youre Rings may be worn or youre sinc & linc may be off.ALL & ALL It may be telling you to tune me up.Hope this helps.

 

[HOU-CHAP]

Re: Ignition switch '77 140 hp Johnson

87 aggie. I have a '77 140 too. I had a similiar problem with mine sticking. goto your local auto parts store and pick up a starter solenoid for a 1977 Ford pickup truck. It is the same solenoid for like $8. Now it may not be as "good" as an OMC factory replacement, but I couldn't find any differences between the OMC one I took off and the Ford one I replaced it with. That was 2years ago, and haven't had a problem yet with it.

 

[87Aggie]

Re: Ignition switch '77 140 hp Johnson

Thanks for all the input fellas! I'm going to replace the starter solenoid and see how that goes. I've had trouble with this motor all summer/fall and was just trying to start it on muffs to winterize it and never could get it to fire. I had a no fire to plugs situation during the summer and thought I had fixed that but I guess I'm back to square one. Do you think the ignition switch could have anything to do with it? Is disconnecting the black wire with yellow stripe at the power pack a definite test indicating the switch is bad?

 

[87Aggie]

Re: Ignition switch '77 140 hp Johnson

My mistake, didn't my previous post posted. Any feedback will be greatly appreciated!