johnson motor starting, solenoid help?

Joined
Jul 9, 2007
Messages
5
i have a 1984 johnson 150 hp motor, i dont know if i need a new solenoid or starter? i have new battery fully charged up, when i hit the key to start the motor the starter will kick up and turn the flywheel sometimes and some times it willnt, but when it does turn the flywheel it doesnt have enough power to start the motor, and sometimes you just hear the solenoid makeing a clicking sound and the starter not kicking up at all, the battery is new and fully charged up and all wires to battery are clean, you thank it is a bad solenoid or starter or both? need help if you know, thanks, dennis!!:confused:
 

tashasdaddy

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Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: johnson motor starting, solenoid help?

90% of starter problems are bad connections. remove and clean both ends of the battery cables, so that they are shiney, also the cable from the solenoid to starter. check for nicks in the cables. and make sure the connectors are on the wire good. the cable tend to corrode from the inside out, if nicked, corroded wires, and connections, heat up and cause resistance to the follow of electricity, thus the starter doesn't get enough. you can also take jumper cable pos battery post to large post on starter. with a good connection, the engine should spin. then if the starter is good clean everything and retest. then trouble shoot solenoid. starters can be rebuit at a starter/alternator shop, much cheaper than a new one.

also have the battery load tested at the auto parts store, free, i've had new batteries go bad
 
Joined
Jul 9, 2007
Messages
5
Re: johnson motor starting, solenoid help?

how can you tell if the solenoid is bad? what does the solenoid do?
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: johnson motor starting, solenoid help?

the solenoid is basicly a mechancial switch take handle the high load of the starter circuit. the 2 large post carry the high amperage 12 volt, the small wire are the ignition circuit, that actives the switch, to send the current to the starter. you can also bypass the solenoid. by taking a jumper cable directly from the pos+ post on battery to the large post on the starter. connect to battery, and just touch the post on the starter. if the starter works then suspect the solenoid and connections.
 
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