Electrical Issue - 1973 Johnson 85HP

[WDC]

Good afternoon,

I have an 85hp 1973 Johnson and a 1970 Glastron boat. It has been working great until recently. After a run on the Mississippi it would not start. Turn key and hear nothing.

All other electrical works

Noticed a grey wire(by itself) below shifter box disconnected.

Noticed a worn out wire going to back of motor (shorted out in many places so do not know where it connects to and from)

All other wires fine.

No wires disconnected from key and no shorts inside shifter box

Please help point me in the right direction, Looking for diagram also.

Motor turns OK.

Bill

 

[ezeke]

Re: Electrical Issue - 1973 Johnson 85HP

The gray wire is the pulse wire for your tachometer. If it is not in use, tape the end of it.

What color(s) is the shorted wire? Do you have a contol cable with the red plug in the engine covered area?

Try to get a OMC Service Manual for your motor. The 1973 85, 115 and 135 ones for Johnson or Evinrude are very similar, especially in terms of electronics. You can usually find used ones on Ebay for less than new.

You can get the new reproduction from Ken Cook Company, Mastertech, Ishopmarine and lots of others.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1973...009QQitemZ190011273686QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWD1V

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Electrical Issue - 1973 Johnson 85HP

Also, look for a fuse in the engine compartment..

 

[WDC]

Re: Electrical Issue - 1973 Johnson 85HP

Thanks ezeke. Nice to hear from you.

I will follow up on your reccommendations. I will need to look at the wire closely to determine color since it was melted in places.

 

[WDC]

Re: Electrical Issue - 1973 Johnson 85HP

Ezeke, Rick

Thanks again for the help. Looked at the fuse and wiring. That worn out wire that did not connect to anything was probably there for a long time and was probably repaced but left in the strand.

The problem was the shift lever was not fully in neutral. Engine starts fine. I should of checked that out.

Bill

 

[ezeke]

Re: Electrical Issue - 1973 Johnson 85HP

Glad it worked out.