Johnson 150 will not start - it's electrical?

Question

I have a 1998 Johnson 150 that always is a problem to start the first time of the day. Here's the typical sequence. Lower the foot; turn the key and it just clicks; disconnect the positive and negative battery cables (one or the other seems to do nothing); then she'll turn over and eventually start.

I thought maybe a bad battery connection, or maybe the chock since it is cold? But can't find a common thread.

The rest of the days it starts like would be expected.

Any ideas?

Answer 1

check the bat,conections and the connections on the starter and the relay switch

check all connections  something is loose or corroided

Answer 2

There could be several problems.  This engine is "tight" which might be an indicator of other problems.  secondly, the battery terminals may be a large part of the problem, but it isn't common.  There could unusual corrosion somewhere in the system, or broken wires etc.  this engine doesn't have a "choke" in the conventional sense.  You didn't say how long between usages.  I'd have a really good mechanic check the motor.  I'd even pull the heads and do a visual inspection.  You might try using the OMC "tune-up  in a can" which would be a good indicator of some of those hidden problems.  I think this may be a crankshaft or piston ring, problem.  Not starter related.

Answer 3

Good God man, don't do what Richard C suggests.

The click, click is a classic sign of bad battery connections for sure. It's one of three things for sure. #1 Either you have corrosion where the terminal ends connect to the battery, or where the cables connect to the terminal ends or where the other end of the cables connect to the solenoid or ground. #2 you have a loose connection in one of those places. # 3 you have a battery cable that is broken or corroded inside the insulation.

The best fix is to just install new cables and clean everything as you go including the new cable ends. That way there is no guessing which thing is wrong.

The reason it starts better after it's been running is because the engine is warm and the charging system has put any lost charge back into the battery.

Answer 4

you need to replace the starter

Answer 5

Since it will start after you remove the battery cable, Could be one of the battery cables has a bad connection either where it goes into the terminal or is attached to the starter. Moving it around lets it makeup again.