225 Johnson cranking slow, not starting.

**Gorilla0178** · 05-21-2021, 06:59 PM

Ok need help again, same motor same story. 225 Johnson, new starter, brand new 1000 CCA battery, and it's only spinning 180 rpm, verified with a Lazer external tach. It's not making spark. It's been a super finicky motor the entire time I owned it. It ran a few months ago, been sitting for awhile and now no spark. Any ideas? I'm so tired of it not being reliable..

**ChrisCarsonMarine** · 05-21-2021, 07:30 PM

Cranking slow and no spark go together,charge the battery,check cables,connections,and starter.does it spark with the plugs out?

**Gorilla0178** · 05-21-2021, 07:42 PM

So this is the same motor I put your reeds in. It's a brand new starter, and a brand new battery, bought yesterday and fully charged. I checked with the tach today. Only registered 180 rpm. Cleaned battery contacts. I'll check the rest.

**Gorilla0178** · 05-21-2021, 07:44 PM

I only checked each plug individually. Not for spark with them all out..

**Gorilla0178** · 05-22-2021, 09:07 AM

What gauge battery wire is recommended? The wire it came with is longer than I need so the excess is coiled up, not sure the gauge at the moment, but I'll check.. It's the same size as my car/truck has.

**flabum1017** · 05-22-2021, 01:20 PM

If it's the OMC cable ikt should be the right gauge, if not, should be 4 gauge minimum, I always use 2 gauge when I replace them. Check the battery cables their entire length for bulges or cuts in the insulation, especially where it goes though the engine pan. This would indicate corrosion. If it's corroded where it goes through the pan, you can shorten it at the engine end since you have a lot of excess.

**H2OPERF** · 05-22-2021, 01:43 PM

New starter as in Brp or ebay china new... most of the no name starters from china don't last long bc the brushes wear out.

**Gorilla0178** · 05-22-2021, 04:18 PM

It is 4 gauge.

**Gorilla0178** · 05-22-2021, 04:19 PM

I'm not sure. I changed it like a year ago. It's prob aftermarket, but it hasn't been used at all. Just sitting.

**Gorilla0178** · 05-22-2021, 06:14 PM

Ok more tested. 12.75 volts at batt, 12.70 at motor, while cranking it drops to 10.68, and jumping the battery to the starter directly still only spins 170 rpm. What is the minimum cranking speed? Starter has only started the motor 2 times, I wouldn't think it's bad, battery might be bad, it's new but maybe bad. I'll go get it tested Monday.

**mrichartz** · 05-22-2021, 07:53 PM

Not spinning enough to make spark min 600 rpm.
Check all your wires and connections like they said
Try bench testing the starter I've seen the aftermarket ones good just sitting.

**Gorilla0178** · 05-22-2021, 09:08 PM

600rpm? Measured from where? I have a piece of shiny tape on the same area the timing marks are. The Lazer reads 170-180 rpm. 600 seems like a lot. I've heard 300. What do I test the starter for?

**mrichartz** · 05-22-2021, 09:36 PM

Oh what year is it?

**flabum1017** · 05-22-2021, 11:58 PM

Originally Posted by mrichartz

Oh what year is it?

It's a 225 looper... gear reduction starter... but 180 rpm is too slow for it to start. CDI says min 250 RPM:

NO SPARK ON ANY CYLINDER:
1. Disconnect BOTH of the Black/Yellow stop wires AT THE POWER PACK and retest. If the engine’s ignition has spark, the stop circuit has a fault. Check the key switch, harness and shift switch.
2. Disconnect the Yellow wires from the stator to the rectifier and retest. If the engine sparks, replace the rectifier.
3. Check the cranking RPM. A cranking speed of less than 250-RPM will not allow the system to spark properly. This is usually caused by a weak battery or dragging starter. Connect a battery charger on its highest setting to the battery and retest. If good spark, replace the starter and/or battery with an 850+ CCA cranking/dual purpose non-maintenance-free type

**powerabout** · 05-23-2021, 03:45 AM

Originally Posted by Gorilla0178

Ok more tested. 12.75 volts at batt, 12.70 at motor, while cranking it drops to 10.68, and jumping the battery to the starter directly still only spins 170 rpm. What is the minimum cranking speed? Starter has only started the motor 2 times, I wouldn't think it's bad, battery might be bad, it's new but maybe bad. I'll go get it tested Monday.

Thats a big voltage drop,
Where is the 10.68
Check the voltage at batt and motor when cranking