'61 Johnson 40hp key switch queries....

[knehdn]

It's a 1961, RDS-23. I was rewiring the start switch and upon tightening one of the 'M' terminals, it broke, leaving half a screw hole and a bit of the tab. Tried soldering... no go.

Sooo..... can I just install a simple toggle switch to open and close the "M" terminals, thereby shorting out the magneto to shut down the motor; or do I need to get another proper Johnson (kachingkaching) key switch?

The key switch is mainly to power up the starter and feed the auxiliary if any, yes? I don't have a generator (but would luv one if I can one to fit), so shorting the magneto at any time would just turn the motor off, (kinda like a safety lanyard), no matter what position the key switch is in? Correct?
All and any advice is more than appreciated.
Please and thank you.

 

[bktheking]

Re: '63 Johnson 40hp key switch queries....

Re: '63 Johnson 40hp key switch queries....

Just go buy a new switch, the aftermarket ones which are just as good as OEM are like $25. You could also do a simple momentary switch to kill the motor but the whole ignition switch is just proper IMO

 

[knehdn]

Re: '61 Johnson 40hp key switch queries....

Yes, I realize I can just go out and buy a new key switch, (but not if I really don't need to).... but in the meantime, to test and set up the motor and such, will I do any harm in just using a toggle switch to connect and disconnect the 'M' wires which, to me, appears to just short out the magneto in order to shut the engine down (as I mentioned earlier which is what a safety lanyard is suppose to do). The existing switch seems fine except for a broken 'M' screw tab. There is contact between the switch terminals where there is suppose to be. The key switch's main purpose is to feed the solenoid for the starter, yes? ... (and any auxilliaries of course.)
Essentially, I could lose the key switch, have a SPST toggle for the magneto, a separate feed to each auxilliary, and just use the pull start, correct?
Please and thank you.

 

[bktheking]

Re: '61 Johnson 40hp key switch queries....

Just use a toggle switch wired to each black wire going to the magneto.

 

[knehdn]

Re: '61 Johnson 40hp key switch queries....

Thank you BK. Will try things out tomorrow.

 

[Jet Star]

Re: '61 Johnson 40hp key switch queries....

so it wont work it both black wire are wired to the same M terminal? i needed to get a new keyswitch and got a standard universal iignition switch "battery/start/accessory/ignition" and have been trying everything to get it running. on my motorcycle both wires from coils get jumped together to the ignition terminal on the key. So am i actually killing power at the same time im trying to start?

 

[Willyclay]

Re: '61 Johnson 40hp key switch queries....

Here's a link to a wiring diagram for your motor. Hope it helps!

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s311/frankr_photos/Wiring1958_6135_40hpwithoutgenerato.jpg

 

[knehdn]

Re: '61 Johnson 40hp key switch queries....

Thank you Willy.
I'll grab the switch and my meter and double check to see what makes contact with what in different key positions. I'll post my results later on.
Thanks again for the diagram.

 

[knehdn]

Re: '61 Johnson 40hp key switch queries....

Well, I checked out the switch, all's good. Contact's made where it should, and contact's not made when it's not suppose to. Just grabbed a SPST rocker for the M wires. Now I get to test this thing out. I've only been told it works... but I'll start a new thread for that procedure, cuz it could be a doozie.
Anyway, here's a couple of photos of how I set things up. Note the connectors... the blue is for the motor to junction box, and the grey is for the DC power supply, which is my Jeep for the time being.

 

[bktheking]

Re: '61 Johnson 40hp key switch queries....

Muffs won't work on that motor, barrel only.

 

[knehdn]

Re: '61 Johnson 40hp key switch queries....

Thanks for the heads-up... just a little late. I guess I shudda asked first. Hmm... hope no harm's been done. It only ran for a couple of minutes, and water did spit out from the exhaust, so I assume the impeller's still OK... I hope, I hope, I hope. Seeing as I can't afford a service manual for a couple of weeks yet, I won't even bother figuring how to check it out. One thing I've got is time.

 

[Willyclay]

Re: '61 Johnson 40hp key switch queries....

Seeing as I can't afford a service manual for a couple of weeks yet, I won't even bother figuring how to check it out. One thing I've got is time.

The link below is to a free, online public library that has scanned manuals for a lot of outboard motors including yours. FYI, these are non-factory manuals and not as complete as factory manuals but, at least, it will help you keeping moving forward and the price is right.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=393281

Will try to find you an online parts catalog and post that also. Good luck with that great old motor!

EDIT: Here's a link to an online OEM parts catalog. If you start with the original p/n, you should be able to determine the current p/n and if it is still available. Good luck!

http://www.marineengine.com/parts/v...ntage-evinrude-johnson/378462/37846200001.htm

 

[Nasbinator]

Re: '61 Johnson 40hp key switch queries....

Why wont muffs work on this motor. Thats what I use on my 40hp johnson rdsl-23

 

[knehdn]

Re: '61 Johnson 40hp key switch queries....

I myself don't know. I've used muffs on other motors. Must have something to do with the input being kinda small. But to be safe, I'll tank it to test it.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: '61 Johnson 40hp key switch queries....

No -- it won't work by shorting both black wires on the same terminal. That's what the switch does to KILL the engine. This is a magneto ignition engine -- not a battery ignition like an I/O (auto engine). A toggle switch or momentary push button will work .