81 Johnson 90hp

[Kyle C]

Hello guys, I've got a problem hooking up the controls to the above stated motor. I don't know what model it is, the mounting bracket says "Cabrea EL85/8501-820929". I was told it was a Suzuki trim/tilt. The issue I'm having souldn't be that difficult with your help. I have a manual for this motor but it doesn't say what color wires are (i.e. magneto, choke, if it does, I can't find it).

Here goes,

yellow w/ white stripe?

two solid purple together?

purple w/white stripe?

black.....ground

red w/black stripe.....hot/12v pos.

double yellow w/black stripe?

The reason I need to know is the ignition switch I have has these letters,
m, b, m, c, s, i........not a. I tried switching a and i and it didn't work. The problem I'm having is that the motor turns over but I'm getting no spark. I know the motor has spark because I saw it run yesterday when I bought it. Any help is much appreciated and if you need more info let me know!

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: 81 Johnson 90hp

Are you trying to connect the key switch in the control box, or some wires under the cowling? Do you have a Johnson/Evinrude key switch? The color wiring diagram, including a key switch diagram is on a fold-out at the back of the factory manual. Starting from the 12 o'clock terminal, going clockwise:
A: two purple wires
M: black
B: red/purple
M: black/yellow
S: white
C: purple/white.
The black yellow should be ground when the key switch is off and will short out the power pack. Make sure this leak is not grounded somewhere else, causing a "no spark" problem.

 

[Kyle C]

Re: 81 Johnson 90hp

Yes, I'm trying to replace the ignition switch in the control box. I bought the Sierra replacement for J/E controls. The instructions that came with the Sierra switch aren't that descriptive so I wrote down what was wired when I took the old switch off and matched wires to letters and that didn't work. Also, as you can see by my original post I don't have a white wire I've got a yellow with white stripe and the yellow with black stripe is double.

 

[Kyle C]

Re: 81 Johnson 90hp

I can only assume that the lack of reply means I'm an idiot. Let's assume that I am, what am I missing? As far as I can tell I need to swap the black and black/yellow wires. The reason I haven't tried that is because the black/yellow wires have the boot on them which means it should connect to the post "m". If I swap those wires can I damage anything? If this makes no sense I'll elaborate if need be. Thanks.