70's Johnson 85 hp Wiring/Starting problem

[dpcwiz]

Have Late 70's Johnson Hydro Electro Glide 85 hp outboard. Recently tried to start it and would it would run but not for long and would not leave idle. Further investigation I found two wires leading from Box on back of engine that says 12v ground. These two wires lead to underneath the flywheel on the top of the motor and I can not see where they go. They were completely coroded and fell apart in my hands. Now motor will not start at all. Am I correct in assuming that these two wires are the low voltage part of the starting system? I am going to rent a puller to get the flywheel off in the morning so that I can attempt to fix the problem. Any advice would be appreciated. I do not know much about outboard engines as you can probably tell.

 

[ledgefinder]

Re: 70's Johnson 85 hp Wiring/Starting problem

You'll need a manual. First, let's figure out what year you have. What's the model number? (See tag on port transom bracket.) If it does say "HydroElectric", it's a 1969-72. If instead it is from the late '70s, it has a completely different ignition. Need to know which before we help much.<br /><br />That said, those leads sounds like the charging system leads got toasted (bad regulator?), might be unrelated to the idle problem you described.

 

[dpcwiz]

Re: 70's Johnson 85 hp Wiring/Starting problem

Does Say Hydro Electric Drive on Motor. No tag to identify what year exactly. Motor has run faithfully for three years I guess I can't ask for more than that. Just bought new battery started with ether but would die if tried to go beyond idle.

 

[dpcwiz]

Re: 70's Johnson 85 hp Wiring/Starting problem

Didn't seem to be getting any spark. I will investigate further in the morning. Motor just spun on battery power.

 

[dkondelik]

Re: 70's Johnson 85 hp Wiring/Starting problem

Mornin' dcpwiz,<br /><br />AS ledgefinder implied, we're all just "shootin-in-the dark" without sufficient info. Take a look around the transome bracket for a rivited plate. If not there, look at the "quarter" sized plugs in the block. Somewhere, there oought to be model & serial numbers. This is quit handy information when attempting to figure what is wrong. The correct modl/serual numbers lets folks know what you have and therefore what you should see AND what might be the source of the problem.<br /><br />My "GUESS",.... the captioned wires are from the "kill" switch and, as they are now exposed, they're shortingt the LV side of ignition to ground yielding no fire to the plugs.<br /><br />let us know what you find<br /><br />Good Luck<br />HAVE FUN!

 

[dpcwiz]

Re: 70's Johnson 85 hp Wiring/Starting problem

Thanks for the help all. I'll keep lookin for that elusive serial number. Hopfully I can get this runnin like a champ again. I'll let you all know how it turns out.

 

[dkondelik]

Re: 70's Johnson 85 hp Wiring/Starting problem

just read my post.<br />Ooops. Can't yet type worth a hoot.<br />Just got the cast off of my left arm/wrist and tha dang thing isn't workin' right yet.<br />Hope it wasn't too hard to read.

 

[ledgefinder]

Re: 70's Johnson 85 hp Wiring/Starting problem

Serial & model number tag is on port-side transom bracket, also on a freeze plug on the top of the port bank of cylinders (most of the time). <br /><br />Easy way to tell, though - how many coils & powerpacks do you have. 1 powerpack & 1 coil; 1969-72. 1 powerpack & 4 coils; 73-77or78. 2 powerpacks (one on each bank) and 4 coils, 79 or 80. That'll get us close enough.

 

[dpcwiz]

Re: 70's Johnson 85 hp Wiring/Starting problem

One power pack and one coil. So must be 69-72. I can decipher your cat scratch no problem just greatful for the help.

 

[ledgefinder]

Re: 70's Johnson 85 hp Wiring/Starting problem

The box the wires are leading from, is it located dead center in the back (stern) of the motor, rectangular, and about 4 inches wide, with 4 leads coming from it (points-CD amplifier)? 5 and 1/2 inches wide (sensor-CD pulsepack)? Or is is it round, and about 1" in diameter (voltage regulator). I'm asking because you should have the points-CD ignition, but that'll only have one wire leading to it from under the flywheel.

 

[dpcwiz]

Re: 70's Johnson 85 hp Wiring/Starting problem

I took the flywheel off today and found that the two wires lead from the pwerpack(Square) to the distributor one went to the points the other to ground the distributor. Once I fixed the wires and changed the gasoline in the tanks the boat started right up and ran like a champ. Thank you for all the good advice I wish I would have found this site sooner.