no power turning key

[Groat]

this is my first post since I joined a couple months ago. I have a 1981 Johnson 115 model #J1L5TCIM. Had it at the lake on Friday and ran the whole day without any problems. Took it out yesterday to the same place with a buddy, went across the lake to a fishing spot(plained down and hauling smoke) shut the engine down and fished. About 20 minutes after we got there I started the engine back up and would not crank. Then all of a sudden I was getting no response from turning the key. After paddling for a little while I got a jump from another boat still nothing then got towed all the way in. Today as I was looking at the fuses I noticed that the batteries were not deep cycle. I went and got new deep cycles.....rebuilt my starter due to a wire being extremely loose and still nothing. All my extras work i.e fish finder, boat lights master power. Just nothing when I turn the key. Sorry for the long post I just want to get the point across it was doing fine. Thanks you guys I love this site.

 

[jonesg]

Re: no power turning key

Have you tried putting a meter to the wires on the back of the ignition lock or jumping the starter solenoid. Possible the starter died and is still died or the ignition lock is worn out.

 

[Groat]

Re: no power turning key

No I have not tried to jump the solenoid yet. Is there a special way to do it on boat engines? I have done it on vehicles before but if I could get a headsup on how to do it that would be great. As for the key lock, no not yet. I will be doing that here in a bit to see what the problem would be. I took apart the shift control where the key inserts at and it looks fine but I will test it to see if it is getting any power. And if it is should it be or just continuity?

 

[daselbee]

Re: no power turning key

There is a fuse. 20 amp. located inline on a large red wire nead the starter solenoid. Wire has been reported to be black by some others.

 

[Groat]

Re: no power turning key

Guys, Thanks so much for the input....like I said before I havent posted here in awhile but I always read the stickys that get left and other peoples issues... this being first boat and all I dont want to clog up the forum with newbie questions...that fuse was itty bitty...being a mechanic you always jump to what you "think" is wrong and never look at the problem at hand and realize its the basic principals of the operation of a typical engine. Thanks alot you guys its up and running great now...actually better than before. You guys be safe on the waters and I will talk to yall when I run into another problem...hopefully not soon lol.