Marine: Boating, Sailing, PWC, GPS and Navigation - 89 johnson outboard, elect. start, trouble cranking

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midwestlaker
08-23-04, 08:45 PM
Hello all. I have an 89 Johnson outboard, which I have trouble cold starting. It only cranks a little bit before quitting. I have to try numerous "short cranks" before I can get it to start. Is this the starter beginning to go, or should I look elsewhere?

Thanks!

matt1330
08-23-04, 10:08 PM
You may want to check the solenoid.
BoatMech
08-24-04, 09:10 PM
How many seconds will it crank before it quits?
is it trying to start and throwing the bendix down?

does it just not crank.
check to see there is no water in the cylinders.

midwestlaker
08-24-04, 11:29 PM
It cranks for about a second, and Then a whirr, then nothing. After 30 or 40 short cranks I can get it to start, then it runs like a top. When it's warm I barely touch the key and it fires right up.
BoatMech
08-26-04, 11:27 PM
charge the battery and lube the bendix