long shot

[bitemyplums]

hi I've just bought a very old Johnson 65hp motor for a winter project. it has the big red plug and wiring which has two branches off to the battery terminals then the rest to the front of the boat which isnt connected yet. now my dilemma as soon as i connect the battery terminals the boat starts. i have to choke the engine out to stop the engine. is this usual or is this fault in the wiring. i would have thought connect everything then ignition it would start boat. none of the wires at the ignition key side are connected and i have insulated them all in case something was touching

[beamishken]

Originally Posted by bitemyplums

hi I've just bought a very old Johnson 65hp motor for a winter project. it has the big red plug and wiring which has two branches off to the battery terminals then the rest to the front of the boat which isnt connected yet. now my dilemma as soon as i connect the battery terminals the boat starts. i have to choke the engine out to stop the engine. is this usual or is this fault in the wiring. i would have thought connect everything then ignition it would start boat. none of the wires at the ignition key side are connected and i have insulated them all in case something was touching

Sounds like the positive battery lead is on the wrong side of the solenoid or the solenoid is sticking or shorted, I'm assuming being old it's an inertia type starter with separate solenoid rather than pre engaged with built in solenoid, pictures of the starter & solenoid might help

[bitemyplums]

Originally Posted by beamishken

Sounds like the positive battery lead is on the wrong side of the solenoid or the solenoid is sticking or shorted, I'm assuming being old it's an inertia type starter with separate solenoid rather than pre engaged with built in solenoid, pictures of the starter & solenoid might help

just been out and took some pics now wondering how do i get them on here it is the type that when it gets power it pops up and turns the flywheel doesn't seem to be stuck on as it pops up and down as i touch the terminal with the positive or negative cable

[Fenlander]

>>>took some pics now wondering how do i get them on here

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[bitemyplums]

well that was easier than i had imagined

[bitemyplums]

forgot to say thanks in my excitement

[Fenlander]

No problem, glad it worked.

[Peter_C]

Originally Posted by bitemyplums

just been out and took some pics now wondering how do i get them on here it is the type that when it gets power it pops up and turns the flywheel doesn't seem to be stuck on as it pops up and down as i touch the terminal with the positive or negative cable

Could be the ignition switch. I'd disconnect the smaller lead(s) into the starter solenoid, which should allow you to connect the battery without too much drama. Where the red connector at the yellow covered wires are looks like it should work. Then you can start diagnosing the ignition switches function.

Does the motor actually start, or just crank over? The starter being engaged while the engine is running is really bad.

If it still cranks over even with the smaller wiring disconnected the problem would be the starter solenoid itself being frozen in the on/crank position. If so rap on the solenoid with a hammer and see if you hear it clack back into place. Either way it needs to be disassembled and cleaned or replaced. Those old solenoids were made with good quality materials utilizing thick copper.

[beamishken]

Originally Posted by bitemyplums

well that was easier than i had imagined

Looks like you have the positive lead direct to the starter terminal, it should go to the solenoid , remove the black battery cable from the starter terminal & refit it to the vacant terminal on the solenoid which is opposite the red lead going to the starter.

[bitemyplums]

thankyou so much now its not starting but that's where i wanted to get too now the ignition hahaha

[bitemyplums]

yeeha engine runs and pumps water very well didn't run off muffs though so had a scary moment there although ill need to replace impeller at sometime. engine is on boat so i managed to source an ibc without the frame put that at the back and let it run