1972 Johnson 50hp solenoid/starter problem

[Jtstephens1]

Hi everyone,

I have an issue with my starting equipment on my 1972 Johnson 50 outboard. Essentially, I'm getting a clicking noise at the solenoid and nothing at the starter. It started no problem 2 days ago. Put it on the water, cranked fine once, next time, clicks. The problem started at the end of last year. It did the same thing last fall and I assumed my battery was getting old so I put it away for the winter. Out of precaution, I ordered a new starter and solenoid from DB Electrical over the winter. I installed everything about a week ago, cleaned all the connections really well to the starter and solenoid in the process. Bought a new battery last week also, cleaned those connections, it started up fine. After a few easy starts, I'm back to clicking solenoid. I recharged the battery overnight (it was not dead though), disconnected all accessories, and still just clicking. I checked my battery voltage (12.85 volts), then checked the battery cables at the solenoid (12.85 volts). I then had my wife turn the ignition and checked the other side of the solenoid, at the wire terminal that goes to the starter and I got 1.36 volts. Could this be a problem with a brand new solenoid? The wires going to the solenoid are old. I cleaned the connections but can see corrosion down in the connectors. Would I still be getting 12.85 volts at the solenoid if the wiring was the problem. Would too much resistance in old wiring cause this? Thanks in advance for any advice!

Travis, Stagecoach Lake Colorado

 

[timguy]

If you have 12.85 volts that's great. Most fully charged healthy batteries are 12.65. If that's good at the solenoid, and you activate solenoid, both sides should be well above 12.6 with your battery. That's with starter disconnected....the solenoid itself is your only draw pulling voltage down a little bit. The solenoid may act quite differently when loaded by the starter and starter operation will, of course, drop voltage down between 12 and 12.6 volts depending on starter health and workload. Reconnect the starter again, make sure again that the voltage is not dropping on battery side of solenoid when your testing and your noticing a ridiculous drop on starter side. This means bad connection, of course, between the starter solenoid and the battery.

 

[racerone]

Is there a safety switch on the engine?----Has 1 white wire.