Battery backwards

[Pepmo]

Hello, I have a 1968 or 1969 55hp Johnson. I hooked the battery up backwards. the started spun. Now I don't get nothing. Are then any fuses anywhere on the motor?

 

[ezeke]

Re: Battery backwards

You should find a 20 Amp SFE-20 fuse in a holder in your main engine harness at the engine.

http://www.iboats.com/SFE-20-FUSE-5...50661775--**********.113183807--view_id.74341

 

[F_R]

Re: Battery backwards

Yes, there is a 20 amp fuse behind the dash, near the key switch.

I don't understand exactly what make the starter spin, but for sure at the very least you destroyed the alternator rectifier and possibly the ignition amplifier. Shall we say it was a very costly mistake?

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Battery backwards

As said already it could be a very costly mistake. Those electrical items are not made to take that kind of punishment

 

[Pepmo]

Re: Battery backwards

I checked the fuse behind the dash ,it is good, I can't find a fuse in the wiring harness. What could be wrong with it? What did I fry?

 

[bktheking]

Re: Battery backwards

Check your wiring for something burnt, a testlight would come in handy.

 

[Pepmo]

Re: Battery backwards

When I turn the key on the choke levers move, but thats it, I can't find no burn't wires,or a fuse or fuseable link on the motor Is there one somewhere?. Was gonna take it out today for the first time.

 

[thetragichippy]

Re: Battery backwards

When I turn the key on the choke levers move, but thats it, I can't find no burn't wires,or a fuse or fuseable link on the motor Is there one somewhere?. Was gonna take it out today for the first time.

Use a meter (or 12v test light) and see if you have 12v to the starter(at the starter). If you don't, work backwards. If you do, you have narrowed it down to the starter.

 

[F_R]

Re: Battery backwards

When I turn the key on the choke levers move, but thats it, I can't find no burn't wires,or a fuse or fuseable link on the motor Is there one somewhere?. Was gonna take it out today for the first time.

I already told you where the fuse is and you have checked it. That is the only one.

You DO have the control in neutral, don't you?

Try returning the red warm-up lever on the rear of the control more toward the slow (up) position. If you have it too far toward fast, it won't crank.

 

[Pepmo]

Re: Battery backwards

I have power going to the solenoid(I think that is what it is), When the key is in the start position I have no power going to the starter. I tried moving the start lever (red one) still nothing.

 

[F_R]

Re: Battery backwards

You have a voltmeter (multimeter)? Is that what you are using to tell if you have power? Then use it to figure out where the problem is. Check for voltage at each of the small terminals on the solenoid while somebody turns the key to the start position. You should have 12V on one of them and zeroV on the other, and the solenoid should click and the starter should run. If you have 12V on both small terminals, the safety switch is bad----OR the control is not set at start position as previously mentioned. If you don't have any voltage on either one, there is a problem with the ignition switch, or the wiring between the switch and the motor.

If it clicks but starter doesn't run, check voltage at the starter when the solenoid is clicked. Should have around 11-12V. If not, solenoid is bad. If you have ~12V and the starter doesn't run, the starter is bad. OR, the motor isn't grounded.

Before doing any of this, make sure your battery is good, and all cable connections are clean and tight. By clean, I mean shiny clean.

There is no voo-doo in electricity. It is all just good common sense and a bit of understanding how it works.

 

[Pepmo]

Re: Battery backwards

Thanks guys...I got it running. cleaned all the cables,double checked nuetrul switch,cleaned and lubed the bendix,