Ran up on some coral...trim/tilt/engine start trouble

[shibbyncsu]

Hey everyone,

Earlier today I had my seaswirl with johnson outboard out in the bay and ran it over some coral...it wasn't shallow enough to get it stuck, but my engine did take a few bumps. At some point, the engine shut off and I wasn't able to get it to crank again...only the buzzer that comes on when something is wrong when I turn the key. In addition, the tilt function on the motor no longer works. When I press the button to lift it, it makes a sound (sounds electical) coming from the top rear of the engine. It was dark by the time we were towed in so I didn't get a chance to look it over. Is there a way to manually tilt the engine? And is there anything I should look for to get the engine going again? I'm lost here and appreciate any help you can provide.

Thanks,
Ben

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Ran up on some coral...trim/tilt/engine start trouble

what johnson outboard. does starter turn motor? is prop bent?

 

[5150abf]

Re: Ran up on some coral...trim/tilt/engine start trouble

Not saying this is what you did but that is what happens when you explode a lower.
The drive shaft pinion and gears are always turning if the motor is running, the clutchdog slides forward or back to engage gears so if something broke and got lodged betwen the pinion and forward gear that would keep it from starting.
As TD stated check the obvious first, make sure the prop isn't contacting the motor.

I would get it too turn by hand before i tried to start it again, if you can't get it into nuetral or the motor won't turn it is more than likely a lower unit problem.

Post model and size and does the starter try to start it?

 

[shibbyncsu]

Re: Ran up on some coral...trim/tilt/engine start trouble

model # j115tleor, 115 hp and it's a '94 i'm pretty sure. the prop is not contacting the engine and spins freely. turning the key does not attempt to start the engine...I just hear the buzzer behind the guages. the flywheel spins by hand. I see a manual release screw on the left side...is that how you would lift the engine manually?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Ran up on some coral...trim/tilt/engine start trouble

loosen the screw, and lift the motor. then tighen the screw.

 

[shibbyncsu]

Re: Ran up on some coral...trim/tilt/engine start trouble

Thanks. That solves the motor dragging in the dirt problem. Any thoughts on troubleshooting the engine? It's not locked up and the prop spins freely, but turning the key no longer engages the starter...just the warning buzzer that I mentioned in the last post. Thanks again for your advice!

 

[5150abf]

Re: Ran up on some coral...trim/tilt/engine start trouble

Well that is good news.
How hitting something makes the starter not work is a real mystery though.

Look for fuses in the engine, that would be the only reason I can think of for 2 unrelated electrical item to stop working all of a sudden, there should be several fuses inside the engine, check them first.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Ran up on some coral...trim/tilt/engine start trouble

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

 

[mikesea]

Re: Ran up on some coral...trim/tilt/engine start trouble

Is it possible the shifter is not in neutral?there is a neu.safty switch and perhaps when (if)you put it in neu.the switch didnt open.The fact that your tnt dont work also incates a power prob.chek your ground wires good.the sound you hear is likely the relay clicking .It happened at nite.You think your lights etc may have run your battery down.Be sure you got a good strong battery,and do what Tash.said.Let us know how it goes

 

[shibbyncsu]

Re: Ran up on some coral...trim/tilt/engine start trouble

good news! I got the battery charged and checked the connections which all looked to be good, and everything works great. I did leave out one detail from the incident though...when we were towed back in we listened to the radio for about 30 minutes or so so the battery still had enough juice for that...does the engine have that much more pull on the battery that it wouldn't even attempt to start it? A friend brought up another point about my alternator possibly not working properly. Is there a way to test these? Thanks for all of your support! Great to be back on the water.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Ran up on some coral...trim/tilt/engine start trouble

with a volt meter check the reading between the 2 post, then recheck with the motor running. the voltage should be higher.