Tilt And Trim Both Went At Same Time

[jnicklason]

Or should I say starter and tilt/trim went out at the same time Bet that heading got a few chuckles and head shakes

OK Kiddies, lets see if we can figure this one out.

I have a 1989 johnson 140 horse VRO (I know, but I love it and it keeps running for the most part so I can't take it out back and shoot it just yet) Both the tilt/trim and starter went out on it at the same time.

CLUES:

- Before this happend completyly, it happened intermittently (loose wire, ground?)

- I replaced the 2 relays in that little black box but it didnt help

- I checked all the fuses - at least the ones that I could find and they seemed fine

- checked and cleaned all the connections - at least the ones I could find

- I can "hotwire" both the starter and the tilt/trim

- Looked for shorts and could find none

- Thought I had it licked as it worked with the boat on the trailer and the engine up, but when in the water I tilted the engine down and only got one start out of it before it happened again.

This has to be something that is very simple that I am missing. I know it is staring me in the face but I can't figure it out and its driving me nuts!!!

Please help me out with any suggestions.

Jeff

[Bryansfish]

When this happens do they both go at the same time or can one go at a time?
Does anything on the engine work when this happens? For example can you hit the choke and hear it engage?

[jnicklason]

No, they both go at the same time. Not sure on the choke, but once in a while, if I turn the key it makes a crackling sound like its trying to make a connection but not getting there. Its got to be something simple...

[Bryansfish]

I think you have a loose conection on you batteries and when you put a strain on the batteries you loosing connection and thats the crackling sound. It could also be a loose conection on you battery switch or a loose connection to your starter. The crackling sound is a loose conection or maybe a bad wire. One other thing you could do is when it gets dark take the cover off the motor and off the batteries and watch as some tries crank it over. If its crackling like you say you should be able to see it sparking.

[jnicklason]

I cleaned and retightened the battery cables so I will check again for a loose/bad wire. Thanks for the help.

[Bryansfish]

Can you make it get the crackling sound by tring to start it?

[jnicklason]

Yes, but only once in a while. Once it happens it takes a while for it to happen again...

[Bryansfish]

What I'm thinking is the crackling is a loose connection or a wire grounding out but because the problem comes and goes it more than likley a loose connection. If you could have someone turning the key watch and listen for where the sound is coming from. I'm still thinking that its a wire coming from the batteries to the switch or from the switch to the starter. If your Johnson is any thing like mine you should have a main fuse somewhere under the cover (mine is on the right if your facing the motor from the boat) which you may want to check. If you have a test like you could check that wire on the hot side to see if it is getting power.

[Bryansfish]

Now that I think about your problem it very well could be that main power line because that would also power the tilt and trim.

[jnicklason]

Good call. I am thinking that it can't be from the battery to the key because when I try to use the tilt and trim on the motor cowling it dosen't work either. I will replaced the only fuse that I could find and also tested the little stubby fuse and that worked. I will start poking around with my volt meter next and let you know what I find.
Thanks so much for the help.
If anyone else feels an overwhelming urge to chime in, please do so.