1982 Johnson outboard w/electric start. won't turn over.

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Author Topic:   1982 Johnson outboard w/electric start. won't turn over.

whalebone posted 11-20-2002 08:24 AM ET (US)
I had to replace my wiring harness when I bought this boat. It has electric key start. I had to run a wire from the bottom contact of the solenoid to a bolt in order to fire up the engine. All the wires that came with this harness matched up and still it would not start. Is there a neutral switch that has to be replaced? Where is it? If there is one?
Any help would be great. Seems that it is odd that it would not turn over.
Could it be low battery?

Bigshot posted 11-20-2002 10:21 AM ET (US)
I would start with the battery before we start ripping into this. Does not make sense to diagnose anything if battery is shongo.
Dr T posted 11-20-2002 12:01 PM ET (US)
One other item: On my 82 Johnson 35, there is a safety leash that clips onto the control box. The clip on the leash depresses a small button (about 2 mm in diameter) that allows power to flow through the engine. When the leash is detached, it acts as a dead man switch to kill the engine. If the leash is not in place on the control box, the motor won't turn over.
whalebone posted 11-20-2002 12:54 PM ET (US)
New battery,dead mans checks out. Same when I purchased the boat. Can't figure out why I have to run another ground wire from solenoid to bolt for it to start.
Dr T posted 11-20-2002 05:33 PM ET (US)
This is beginning to sound like a hidden corrosion problem.
When I replaced the wiring harness on my 82, the old one was corroded thorough and through. The insulation had cracked lengthwise on every wire and the wire inside was all basically gone.
There may be some other wires in your control system or box that may be gone. Or the key switch itself may be gone.
There is a step-by-step test procedure in the Chiltons for this that covers the 35 HP. There may be one in the one that covers your engine as well.
Good luck.
tds
whalebone posted 11-20-2002 06:30 PM ET (US)
oh boy............just what I want to do when I want to winterize the boat.....Thanks I will check it out......
Dr T posted 11-21-2002 12:57 PM ET (US)
Well, you have all winter to find it.
tds
whalebone posted 11-23-2002 02:31 PM ET (US)
fixed thanks for input, damn ground wire on solenoid.
Dr T posted 11-24-2002 10:33 PM ET (US)
And I should have thought of that first, given your description of how you started it.
Glad you found it. Chasing around with an a amp meter can be frustrating work.
tds

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Author	Topic: 1982 Johnson outboard w/electric start. won't turn over.
whalebone	posted 11-20-2002 08:24 AM ET (US) I had to replace my wiring harness when I bought this boat. It has electric key start. I had to run a wire from the bottom contact of the solenoid to a bolt in order to fire up the engine. All the wires that came with this harness matched up and still it would not start. Is there a neutral switch that has to be replaced? Where is it? If there is one? Any help would be great. Seems that it is odd that it would not turn over. Could it be low battery?
Bigshot	posted 11-20-2002 10:21 AM ET (US) I would start with the battery before we start ripping into this. Does not make sense to diagnose anything if battery is shongo.
Dr T	posted 11-20-2002 12:01 PM ET (US) One other item: On my 82 Johnson 35, there is a safety leash that clips onto the control box. The clip on the leash depresses a small button (about 2 mm in diameter) that allows power to flow through the engine. When the leash is detached, it acts as a dead man switch to kill the engine. If the leash is not in place on the control box, the motor won't turn over.
whalebone	posted 11-20-2002 12:54 PM ET (US) New battery,dead mans checks out. Same when I purchased the boat. Can't figure out why I have to run another ground wire from solenoid to bolt for it to start.
Dr T	posted 11-20-2002 05:33 PM ET (US) This is beginning to sound like a hidden corrosion problem. When I replaced the wiring harness on my 82, the old one was corroded thorough and through. The insulation had cracked lengthwise on every wire and the wire inside was all basically gone. There may be some other wires in your control system or box that may be gone. Or the key switch itself may be gone. There is a step-by-step test procedure in the Chiltons for this that covers the 35 HP. There may be one in the one that covers your engine as well. Good luck. tds
whalebone	posted 11-20-2002 06:30 PM ET (US) oh boy............just what I want to do when I want to winterize the boat.....Thanks I will check it out......
Dr T	posted 11-21-2002 12:57 PM ET (US) Well, you have all winter to find it. tds
whalebone	posted 11-23-2002 02:31 PM ET (US) fixed thanks for input, damn ground wire on solenoid.
Dr T	posted 11-24-2002 10:33 PM ET (US) And I should have thought of that first, given your description of how you started it. Glad you found it. Chasing around with an a amp meter can be frustrating work. tds