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Short Wave Sportfishing
 
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Default 1973 v4 115 Johnson starting problem... Ideas

On Sun, 22 Feb 2004 22:42:44 GMT, wrote:

Have a 1973 Johnson 115v4. She had a intermitted starting problem that
has turned for the worse. It almost wont start at all now.

Last year we had the carbs rebuilt. This didnt really help. but did
help the fuel usage.

When shes running.. She runs great, smooth all that.. Its starting
thats the main problem and then sometimes at idle it runs rough and is
hesitant.

Starting- If the battery is full charged SOMETIMES it will start. but
it has to be a really fresh new battery. But when we try to start it
on the lake with a less than 100% fresh battery.. It wont start, wont
even fire when we spray ether into the intak. I can pull a plug and
its either weak or no fire. Last season we connected 2 batterys
together. This worked for awhile.. it would start every time for a
time. Now thats not working. And sometimes now not even jumping is
starting it. I replaced the starter last year too to make sure she was
cranking 100%.

I only have two ideas now that I think is the problem. Either the
powerpack is going out. Or the stator under the flywheel needs
replacing. Does anyone have any other thoughts on what this could be?


Could be a couple of things. Check the plug wires and see if there
are cracks or some leakage. Actually, you might want to purchase one
and just try it to see if the spark improves on that cylinder. Most
likely, it is the power pack although I can't remember if there is one
coil or one coil per cylinder on that model year Johnson. I suspect
the coil{s} [power pack{s}) just based on that dual battery deal.

Out of curiosity, have you checked compression? You might have a
couple of weak cylinders that could cause starting problems, although
there would be other indicators for that and you didn't mention any of
those.

I'd try the wires, then power pack route first - it seems the most
obvious.

Later,

Tom
S. Woodstock, CT
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Basic Fishing Program:

10 - Fish
20 - Eat
30 - Sleep
40 - Goto 10