Starting problem with 1995 150-hp Johnson

[roger fernandez]

Hi Folks,

I am having problems starting my 1995 150-hp Johnson motor and was wondering if I can get some help identifying what the problem could be.

The problem is as follow.

On Saturday, I took the boat out and when I went to start it, once I dropped it on the water, it wouldn't start, the motor will spin strongly with no problem, and the batteries were strong, but the motor would not start, even when engaging the choke by the ignition switch, so the next thing I did was to activate the choke manually on the motor (red lever to the up position), and when I did that, it hesitated a bit, but it did start, so I put the choke back to the automatic position (red lever to the down position) and the motor kept running with no problems, so on I went fishing the entire day, and the motor was turned off every time I stopped on a fishing spot, but it will start right up with no problem, however, the last time it turn on after a couple of minutes of running, all of the sudden it just died while the boat was moving, and it just wouldn't start anymore, it will spin strongly, but it wouldn't crank, this time not even with the choke engaged manually.

I already tried the following troubleshooting steps, with no luck.

1. Replaced the gas pump with a spare one that I have that I know it is good, but it won't start.

2. Used fresh gasoline, in case that the gas on the boat tank had water in it, but it wouldn't start.

3. I took down the choke and dismantled it to inspect it for any damage, but I couldn't see anything wrong with it. And I thought I may add that when I press down on the switch key, the choke makes the clicking noise, so that leads me to believe that the choke it is good.

4. I checked all 6 spark plugs to make sure they all had spark in them, while cranking the motor and they did.

5. I checked all the wires on the wire harness to look for any broken cables, but I couldn't find any broken cables.

6. The ignition switch, along with the entire wire hardness from the middle console going to the motor, was replaced brand new a couple of years ago, so I don't think the starting switch could be bad.

Given everything that I've already explained and troubleshooted already, can anyone please advise on what the problem could be here. Is there anything else that I should be testing or trying that I haven't done already.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[roger fernandez]

Re: Starting problem with 1995 150-hp Johnson

Any thoughts or advises on this problem please?

 

[roger fernandez]

Re: Starting problem with 1995 150-hp Johnson

Wow, no even one reply.

Come on guys, someone here must have a clue or advise to give me about this problem.

This has always been a very helpful site with very knowledgeable people in it, and that is why I am surprised that no one has posted any advises or comments about the problem I am having.

Help out a fellow boater here please.

Thanks.

 

[bob johnson]

Re: Starting problem with 1995 150-hp Johnson

try this mix some gas in a spray bottle and spray it into the carb openings.. and try and start the motor...make sure it is premixed with the right amount of oil!!!

if the motor fires over... then you have fuel delivery issues and need to look specifically at your system...

you could start by drainign the bowls and try refilling them with the primer ball... to make sure the float valve isnt stuck closed..


if that all works then rebuilding the carbs might be in order..

might want to check compression, just to make sure the motor is sound mechanically


you say you have spark....are you checking that with a spark tester made for checking spark????

what model number motor is it?

bob

 

[roger fernandez]

Re: Starting problem with 1995 150-hp Johnson

Bob, thanks for taking your time to reply and for your assistance.

I did try what you suggested, by spraying fresh premix gas on all six carbs, but that didn't help.

The way I tested the spark on the plugs was by un-screwing each one of them, one at a time while the other five remained connected on the power head as normal, and then I connected the spark plug wire to the plug, then while my wife would hit the ignition switch, I would get the spark plug close enough to the block to get a spark, and they all did, so I know that at least I am getting a spark on all 6 cylinders.

I also heard that it could be the starter switch, so I was thinking of trying to start the motor with the wire hardness "red plug" unplugged, to see if the motor would crank like that, and if it does, then the problem would have to be the starter switch or the kill switch.

Does this sounds like something that I can try to see if that is the problem, and if so, how do I start the motor by the starter solenoid while the wire hardness is disconnected?

PS. I don't have the motor model no. here with me at the office, but I think it is J150ELEOM, but don't quote me on that.

 

[James R]

Re: Starting problem with 1995 150-hp Johnson

I have two 1993 150 Faststrikes. Both need a whole bunch of choke to get them to fire. Not unusual as these are big crankcases.
Using the spray mix test works but you need to really pump the fuel in. Also important is that the throttles need to be open so be sure you have the remote control lever in a fast idle position.
You can get at the carb drain screws quite easily. Opening these will tell you if you are getting fuel up. With each screw loosened in turn squeeze the primer bulb and you should see an increase in fuel flow from the loosened screw. That will tell you if the carb needle valve is sticking closed or not. If you don't get an increase from any of the screws and the bulb is hard it could be the main fuel control needle mounted in the housing the the primer (choke) solenoid is attached to.
It does sound like a fuel shortage.
A manual is a blessing when you get these problems.

 

[roger fernandez]

Re: Starting problem with 1995 150-hp Johnson

James, I did tryed cranking the motor with the throttles wide opem, but it wouldn't work.

When I open the ignition switch and press down on the key to activate the choke, I do hear the normal clicking noise that the choke makes, however just because it clicks, is there still a possibility that the choke could still not be working properly all the way?, or if it clicks, then that is a sign that everything with the choke is good?

 

[James R]

Re: Starting problem with 1995 150-hp Johnson

No. The click only means that the solenoid moved. It does not mean that there is fuel to pass or that it will pass fuel. Make the checks that I have outlined.

 

[bob johnson]

Re: Starting problem with 1995 150-hp Johnson

for sure you have to have the throttle plates open and if you did, and you sprayed gas into the openings and the motor didnt fire over....even for a little bit...

then Id say you are not getting the spark you think you are...or the timing is way way off.

but it should have at least backfired if you had GOOD spark..

I am not 100% sure, but the only way the kill switch can be involved is if it cuts the spark.....I dont know how that it could kill the motor any other way..

so i wouldnt be looking for that...

good luck


bob

 

[roger fernandez]

Re: Starting problem with 1995 150-hp Johnson

James, I will try what you are suggesting on Saturday, since is the only day I can get to do this' and see what happens and post the results.

Thanks.

 

[roger fernandez]

Re: Starting problem with 1995 150-hp Johnson

Ok guys, I was able to perform a few more tests today per your suggestions, and these where the results:

Checked the compression on all cylinders and I got an even 120-lbs. all around, so I know am okay in that department.

Also changed the primer solenoid and tried to crank the motor, but it would't start, I even tried using fresh gas from a separate container, but it didn't help.

Now something weird happen though, while I kept looking around the motor, I noticed a smell of burning wire and when I looked back, I noticed smoke coming from the middle console, so when I immediately went to check it out, I noticed that the heavy smoke was coming from the ignition switch, and when I looked at it, one of the cables coming out of the switch, the black cable with a yellow stripe, was burnt, and that was the only cable that looked destroyed, the rest of the cables from the switch looked fine.

Does anyone know what this cable is for and where does it leads to the motor and what could have caused this cable to overheat like that?

Could have been that perhaps the ignition switch was shortedout or bad?

Thanks a lot in advance for your suggestions.

 

[bob johnson]

Re: Starting problem with 1995 150-hp Johnson

well I am pretty sure the black with yellow is the kill circuit....

I know mine shorted out in the middle of the harness!!! i paid a guy who eventually found it...dont know how....

of all the wires, only that one shorted... and it would kill the motor... was driving me crazy..contact...then no contact and motor dies...play around....eventually she starts...3 hours later she died all the sudden.,....dammmm wire..

dont know why

good luck

bob

 

[roger fernandez]

Re: Starting problem with 1995 150-hp Johnson

BOB, do you know to what device that black wire goes connected to?

I mean I know it is the ignition kill wire, but I don't know to what component or device is connected to on the motor.

Thanks Bud!

 

[jonesg]

Re: Starting problem with 1995 150-hp Johnson

The ignition spark test you did was all wrong, remove all plugs to test.
Use an adjustable spark tester set to 7/16th inch gap, you cannot perform this test with plugs in and by using a sparkplug due to the huge gap required.

But now your powerpack is probably toasted if stray v got into that black/yellow kill wire.
Disconnect the cannon plug under the hood and crank the engine by jumping the solenoid to see if you get spark(all plugs out and grounded except 1.)
If theres no spark..powerpack time.

And relace the ig switch for sure.!
Disconnect battery before touching it.

 

[roger fernandez]

Re: Starting problem with 1995 150-hp Johnson

Update on my problem.

Yesterday I tried disconnecting the wire hardness and starting the motor by the starter solenoid and woala, it started!, however I think it is safe to assume that the problem was with the ignition switch and that is why if fried the way it did Saturday.

However, I did also noticed that when the motor was running after a few minutes, it started to bug out a bit until eventually it would turn off, like if it was running out of gas, I turned it on a couple of times more and it kept on doing the same thing , until I decided to press on the prime bulb when the motor would start to bug out, and then the motor would regain strength and run strongly again, but on the fourth time that I started the motor it didn't bug out any more, so perhaps there may have been some miss-adjustments some where from when I disassembled the fuel pump or any other parts from the fuel assembly.

So I have one more final questions to wrap this problem up.

Is it safe to assume that the problem was with the ignition switch and that is why if fried the way it did or perhaps there could also be another possibility that there might be something else wrong, which to me is very unlikely since the motor did started after separating the wire hardness?

 

[bob johnson]

Re: Starting problem with 1995 150-hp Johnson

BOB, do you know to what device that black wire goes connected to?

I mean I know it is the ignition kill wire, but I don't know to what component or device is connected to on the motor.

Thanks Bud!

It goes to the part under the coils, I am pretty sure thats the power pack...

good luck

bob

 

[jonesg]

Re: Starting problem with 1995 150-hp Johnson

Update on my problem.

Yesterday I tried disconnecting the wire hardness and starting the motor by the starter solenoid and woala, it started!, however I think it is safe to assume that the problem was with the ignition switch and that is why if fried the way it did Saturday.

However, I did also noticed that when the motor was running after a few minutes, it started to bug out a bit until eventually it would turn off, like if it was running out of gas, I turned it on a couple of times more and it kept on doing the same thing , until I decided to press on the prime bulb when the motor would start to bug out, and then the motor would regain strength and run strongly again, but on the fourth time that I started the motor it didn't bug out any more, so perhaps there may have been some miss-adjustments some where from when I disassembled the fuel pump or any other parts from the fuel assembly.

So I have one more final questions to wrap this problem up.

Is it safe to assume that the problem was with the ignition switch and that is why if fried the way it did or perhaps there could also be another possibility that there might be something else wrong, which to me is very unlikely since the motor did started after separating the wire hardness?

To melt the kill wire and not blow the powerpack out?, you ought to go and buy a lottery ticket tonite!
Get it running first, then you can track down the running problem, could be the bowls didn't fill.
One thing you can try, if it runs out and quits, open the drain screw on the bottom of the carb bowl to see if they are dry or full.
Also try keeping it running by bumping the choke, if that works the pump is good...the carbs are clogged.

Disconnect battery to install Ig switch.

 

[bob johnson]

Re: Starting problem with 1995 150-hp Johnson

............Also try keeping it running by bumping the choke, if that works the pump is good...the carbs are clogged.

............

is that a test for the fuel pump???


I have had issues with running out of gas and having to squeeze the bulb to keep the motor from dying...

I think i tried to prime it a few times to keep it from dying and had no change.

1995 ocean runner v4...

bob

 

[roger fernandez]

Re: Starting problem with 1995 150-hp Johnson

Jonesg, yeah I guess I was a bit lucky about nothing happening to the power pack. Once I install the new ignition switch, I will try what you suggested, to press down on the choke to see what happens. I am suspecting that something happened some where along the fuel system when I pulled every thing apart when I was troubleshooting the motor or from me trying to start the motor so many times, who knows. I think since I am in the process, I will change all of the fuel lines, the gas/water separator and empty the fuel tank to get rid of the old gas that I have there.

Once I install the new ignition switch this coming Saturday and run the motor, hopefully everything would be okay, I will report back to you guys to let you know how it went.

Once again, thanks a lot to everyone that assisted me with my problem.

God bless!...