Starting Help 1999 150

[Bert]

I just put a 1999 150 Johnson on my boat. I hooked up all the wiring harness and cables. The motor cranks and the system check gauges go thru their checks. The problem is that the motor won't fire. There is no kill switch so that is not the problem. I want to check spark to the plugs, but I have been told not to ground the plugs on the block, it is supposed to damage the ignition. It is getting plenty of gas.What steps should I take to trouble shoot this. The motor ran fine before I installed it.

 

[wilde1j]

Re: Starting Help 1999 150

When did the motor last run?

Use a shop manual as a guide to check spark and fuel. If you don't have one, get an OEM shop manual. A needle spark tester is a good start to check ignition. Why would you ground the spark plugs on the block (not that it would hurt a thing)?

Try spraying premix into the carbs when cranking. That will quickly verify whether the fuel system is the culprit.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Starting Help 1999 150

Is your battery fully charged?

Cold start procedure:
1. pump primer bulb until firm
2. turn key to on and push in (to prime) for five or eight seconds
3. continue holding the key in while turning it to start until engine starts

Grounding the spark plug wires to the engine block is the correct way to crank the engine with the plugs out or the wires disconnected.

Spark check: remove a spark plug, plug it back into the lead, hold it against the engine block while someone engages the starter. To avoid electro-shock therapy, use an insulated spark plug boot tool, or ask your mother-in-law to hold it.

This will verify if you have spark or not but doesn't indicate if it's good enough - for that you need a spark tester - couple bucks at auto parts store for doing one at a time, or make your own for checking all six at once. Spark should jump a 1/2" gap.

Do you have recent compression results?

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Starting Help 1999 150

Is the safety lanyard connected to the key switch? It needs to be for it to start, it's the kill switch.

 

[Walker]

Re: Starting Help 1999 150

I'm with ondarvr. A motor that new would have a safety switch and lanyard.

 

[Bert]

Re: Starting Help 1999 150

It has a kiil switch is on a lanyard. When the lanyard is pulled, it turns the switch off.Isn't this feature mechanical. I'm charged the batteries last night and going to buy a spark checker this morning.

 

[Bert]

Re: Starting Help 1999 150

It has good spark. It is getting fuel. I'm thinking I don't have the throttle linkage adjusted correctly. Going to go check on that.