Thread subject: Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos :: 1976 40HP Johnson stops running

Posted by rcj on 03/05/12 - 11:47 AM
#1

I've got a 1976 Johnson on a 1976 13 foot Whaler that just stops running as if the swiitch was turned off. The motor is in good shape otherwise. Appears to be electrical problem -after a few minutes the motor will crank and run well for a long time. May just be a loose wire. coil, power pack?? Any suggestions will be apprcicated.
Thanks,
RCJ

Lafayette, LA

Posted by bosnsm8 on 03/05/12 - 7:21 PM
#2

Doesn't sound like coil if cranks and runs.definitely not fuel prob if it's just cutting of without any kind of hiccups. In my humble opinion it sounds like a intermittent voltage issue possible stator/ rectifier but in no way am I even close to outboard mechanic.

Posted by Ice Cop on 03/05/12 - 11:22 PM
#3

If it appears the switch was turned off as you suggested it may be just that simple. Try a new ignition switch. Short money and very easy to change. I always start with the simplest things first.

Posted by munawar waheed on 03/06/12 - 2:12 AM
#4

I totally agree with Ice cop its a niggly fault .Sometimes it is simply a loose connection on the ignition switch and or at the distributor end via the ignition coil. Insure the connections are tight.Through period of time a loose connection becomes hot and starts arcing and due to expantion, becomes softer and eventually the connection gets from bad to worse. Intermittent ! I hope it will give something to chew on and help you. Good luck!

Posted by rcj on 03/06/12 - 6:46 AM
#5

Thanks for your reply--I'm with you as I'm not much of a mechanic either but will look at the stator/rectifier

bosnsm8 wrote:
Doesn't sound like coil if cranks and runs.definitely not fuel prob if it's just cutting of without any kind of hiccups. In my humble opinion it sounds like a intermittent voltage issue possible stator/ rectifier but in no way am I even close to outboard mechanic.

Posted by rcj on 03/06/12 - 6:50 AM
#6

Thanks for your reply--I agree probalby will get worse as time goes by and will check connectons and wires



munawar waheed wrote:
I totally agree with Ice cop its a niggly fault .Sometimes it is simply a loose connection on the ignition switch and or at the distributor end via the ignition coil. Insure the connections are tight.Through period of time a loose connection becomes hot and starts arcing and due to expantion, becomes softer and eventually the connection gets from bad to worse. Intermittent ! I hope it will give something to chew on and help you. Good luck!

Posted by rcj on 03/06/12 - 9:06 AM
#7

Thanks Ice Cop, switch will be first on the --I'm not much of a mechanic but think I can handle this task
I appreciate your response.

Ice Cop wrote:
If it appears the switch was turned off as you suggested it may be just that simple. Try a new ignition switch. Short money and very easy to change. I always start with the simplest things first.

Posted by Ice Cop on 03/06/12 - 12:44 PM
#8

No problem, I just believe you start simple, and cheap. Then if it gets beyond your level of expertise(whatever that level may be) ask for help from someone you trust, easy for a stranger to say pull this apart or try that and all you end up doing is messing up something else. Keep us posted on what you find.
Good luck

Posted by John Fyke on 03/06/12 - 3:23 PM
#9

I wouldn't go replacing parts cheap or not without checking first connections, power, ohms, etc. Even a switch can be jumped first without spending money.