1989 40 hp JOHNSON problem

T

tomengland

New member
Hey c-brats: I have a problem with my 1989 40 hp Johnson motor. I went fishing today on the Mississippi River. I was able to catch 2 walleyes. When I got to the boat ramp and shut the motor off, I heard something running on the motor. Pulled off the cover and the starter motor was still running but it was not engaging. So I pulled the kill switch and it was still running. Finally disconnected the wire to the battery terminal and the starter motor shut off. It sounds like a bad solenoid or starter issue. What do you all think? It still was a perfect day on the river. It sure beats working.

Thomas England, DVM
Winona MN
 
The relay was stuck closed. That circuit is wired directly to the battery. The "kill" is the lower current draw which activates the relay. Hopefully a new relay, will take care of it. I don't remember the circuit on that specific motor, but it is very possible that the current relay and solenoid are combined. You will want to work from the high current (heavy wire) input into the starter motor, back.

It is still possible that there is a problem with the "ignition switch" since you still have current to the starter circuit, even though the "Kill " switch is disengaged. It just shuts down the ignition circuit.

When you hook up the battery, again, does the starter motor begin to spin? Next, when you turn the "ignition switch" to "Start" does the bendix gear engage?
 
Dr. Bob: I went in the garage and connected the terminals and the starter motor was not turning any more. I do not get it!!! My 40 hp is a tiller model on my lund fishing boat. At the boat ramp, I pushed the starter button and the gear did not engaged at that time. I am not sure what is going on.
 
tomengland":3equ1ph4 said:
Dr. Bob: I went in the garage and connected the terminals and the starter motor was not turning any more. I do not get it!!! My 40 hp is a tiller model on my lund fishing boat. At the boat ramp, I pushed the starter button and the gear did not engaged at that time. I am not sure what is going on.
Click to expand...

Not too surprising. Relays can become stuck for a number of reasons. Heat is one. Corrosion is another, depending on the type and construction of the relay, week springs, damage to the contacts etc.

Next to see if at this time, you hit the starter, and see if the starter engages, (be ready to kill the engine, unless you have the water hooked up. See if the starter motor continues to run.
 
Dr. Bob: I went to try to start the motor, but the battery was weak. Are the relay in the starter? i noticed last weekend, I could hear the starter gear kicking in once when the motor was running. Maybe I will order a new starter. I have not replaced it yet. I will charge the battery over night and let you know on Saturday. Thanks Bob.
 
I have experienced this exact scenario on my 30 HP Evinrude (same as Johnson). It is a stuck solenoid/bendix and is caused by corrosion. Sprayed it down with wd40 and exercised it. Have had many trouble free hours of use from the motor since doing this.
Hope this helps.
 
Thanks C-brats. Went to the local marine and described the symptoms. He thought it was the solenoid. Found one in his back room full of dust for $20. Installed a new starter battery and solenoid. Trusty old 40 HP fired right away and problem solved!!!! (so far). Fishing for walleyes tomorrow.


Thomas England
 
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