Johnson Starter problems

[THutch]

The starter on my 89 johnson 110 started acting up today so when I got home I tried to take it off, thinking I would put a new one on this week. There are three bolts holding it to the block, 2 bolts on the right and 1 on left. I got the 2 right side bolts off just fine, but the bolt on the upper left side doesn't have enough room to come out without taking the carbs off. Any recommendations on how to get this bolt out without taking the entire carb off the front of the motor? I'll try to attach a picture of the starter with the bolt directly in the center of the picture.

Thanks for any ideas folks have.

 

[wrechin2]

The carbs won't need to come off, just the "air" box. Pull the cover off the front and there will be 4 bolts inside that you will take off. You may be able to loosen them to get it to clear the VRO pump. What is the starter doing????

 

[THutch]

Thanks Wrenchin2. I slept on it last night and am now thinking it may just be the solenoid. Sometimes, not all the time, when I turn the key there is a buzzing noise from the motor and the starter does nothing. Then after a couple of tries the starter engages and works just fine. I'm no gearhead, but I am beginning to think the solenoid, which is wired in before the starter(?), is what is buzzing and failing to send current to starter. Once it pushes current to the starter the starters works properly. This would mean replace the selenoid? Does this make sense? I am also going to check the connectivity on all cables to make certain its not just corrosion? Like all problems that only manifest once in while, its tough to figure out. Thank you for all help and any ideas. I've been meaning to bring this beast to you for a tune-up and this issue might make that happen shortly.

Travis

 

[wrechin2]

I would have to hear the noise. Never heard a solenoid buzz have heard them chatter. First time for everything though. It may be that the starter is turning but not engaging the flywheel. I deal with that often.

 

[G.L. football]

My 150 done that.thought it was stater but is was bad battery.Every thing worked fine but when you turn key over the starter would not come up sounded like it was sticking.

 

[wrechin2]

Yep, from weak/bad batter, glazed brushes, poor connections, or foreign materials on the bendix. Have seen it all causing them not to engage.

 

[THutch]

Yep. You'll were right. Tuesday night I popped the hatch on the battery compartment and upon visually inspecting the battery everything looked fine. When I went to loosen the wing nuts on the terminal, the negative one was fused tight. That made me think there was a problem. It turns out the negative terminal wing nut had to be cut off the battery to get the battery cable loose. I put a battery in from my ski boat (clearly not in use) and cleaned the ends of each cable and I'm back in business - starter works fine. I took the boat out last night and had no problems all night. Thanks for the insight.

 

[wrechin2]

Glad to hear that!