Johnson 90 does nothing

ganno595

Cadet
Joined
Sep 2, 2009
Messages
17
I have a 2004 Johnson 90 carburated 2 stroke. When i turn the key on i get nothing..NO beep, no lights, no clicks...nothing. There is 12.5 volts at the starter solenoid and all the feeder wires going from it. Checked and rechecked grounds. Replaced Key switch. Bypassed neutral safety. All connections have been thoroughly cleaned. I grounded out one of the temp sensors to check power to horn and got nothing. im at a loss. And yes fuse is good.
 

Joe Reeves

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Feb 24, 2002
Messages
13,262
Re: Johnson 90 does nothing

Check the smaller RED wires leading FROM the starter solenoid. There should be a 20 ampere inline fuse in one of them which is the main power fuse.
 

ganno595

Cadet
Joined
Sep 2, 2009
Messages
17
Re: Johnson 90 does nothing

Yeah man thanks for the reply, Ive checked that fuse and it is good.

Does anyone know if a bad starter solenoid or a bad horn would cause the whole engine not to power up. Im talking no lights on the tach or anything. As if that fuse were bad but its not. Any help would be appreciated.
 

boobie

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 5, 2009
Messages
20,826
Re: Johnson 90 does nothing

If you have System Check on this mtr the horn will not blow unless the mtr is running. Only the lite will come on in the gauge. Also check your boat wiring harness connectors on the mtr.
 

trimmers

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Mar 1, 2010
Messages
88
Re: Johnson 90 does nothing

This might sound like a really stupid question... but my buddy had a similar issue. Showed volts but did NOTHING! Turned out his battery water was just about empty. Filled it, charged it and off we went. Have you checked that?
 

Willyclay

Captain
Joined
Sep 8, 2006
Messages
3,264
Re: Johnson 90 does nothing

As if that fuse were bad but its not.

I chased a ghost like this once and it just about drove me nuts! Finally, I determined it was internally-corroded wires at the inline fuse holder. Replaced the fuse holder and everything was good again. Good luck!
 

Will Bark

Lieutenant
Joined
Aug 1, 2010
Messages
1,470
Re: Johnson 90 does nothing

Did you check the fuse with a meter or just look at it? Some fuses look good but are actually not good at one end or the other.
 

ganno595

Cadet
Joined
Sep 2, 2009
Messages
17
Re: Johnson 90 does nothing

Thanks for the replies fellas, I have ohmed the fuse and also replaced it just encase. it is not an inline fuse it is a wedge fuse 20amp. Ill check that battery water although i dont see how if you have voltage the system wont power up. I can see how it wouldnt crank due to amperage but id think with 12.5 volts id at least get the warning horns initial beep.

Im about ready to turn it into a reef.

everything else on the boat works. trim, bilge, livewells, everything but the motor acts like there isnt even a battery hooked to it.
 
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