No start on wet mornings ??

[Kymasabe]

My '83 Johnson 2-cyl 60hp has developed a new problem, won't start on a wet morning. If it rains overnight and I try to use my boat in the morning, the motor won't crank at all. I can hear something click loudly on the engine when I turn the key but no crank. Let the sun come out for a few hours and dry things up and it starts right up. Any ideas?

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: No start on wet mornings ??

I would start out cleaning all the battery and starter connections.Something electrical is getting damp.Full charge and battery tested good..

 

[luckyinkentucky]

Re: No start on wet mornings ??

Always store your boat with the engine in the 'Run' position. It's really hard on engines to be tilted in the 'tow' position for more than a day or so. I suspect water coming in contact with an electrical connection as being the culprit.

I found this out after having the replace my Regulator. It had been water logged on the TOP of the engine from sitting at an angle where the rain could easily penetrate. The rain made it into the top vent after a deluge we had a week ago, and sat around the under side of the power pack. From then on I always cover my engine with an engine cover, and store it in the 'Run' or down position when we're going to get rain, or I'm not going to run the engine for a few days. I have a styrofoam block that I push up onto the skeg to help alleviate some of the pressure on the transom. It allows the engine to sit on the ground without relying so much on the transom for support.

 

[samo_ott]

Re: No start on wet mornings ??

The clicking sound is probably the solenoid. So if it's getting power the problem is probably in the heavy 12v+ cables from the battery to the starter. So clean connections and test cables as Gary suggested. You could try using a jumper cable next time from the battery to the starter and see if it spins it.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: No start on wet mornings ??

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.
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