Johnson 50HP 1975 Ignition problem - Control Box Related ?

[Sweden_West]

Hello from Sweden!<br /><br />Bougth my first boat two weeks ago, Ockelbo HT16 (Old swedish brand ..)with a Johnson 50HP -75. <br /><br />Have driven the boat twice since I bought it, without any problems.<br /><br />Three days ago, the problems started: <br /><br />The engine did not respond at all when turning on the ignition from the control-box. No sparks or clicks ... completely dead.<br /><br />Contacted a service-dealer and he gave me some suggestions that I tried: Plus-pole from battery to plus-pole to start-engine and the motor should start, else you need to replace the start-engine, he said... <br /><br />I tried the battery/start-engine-pluspole tip and the engine started instantly. So the start-engine seemed to be fine.<br /><br />Went back to the dealer and he said that if it's not the start-engine then the solenoid must be replaced. So i bought a new solenoid from him(correct model for the engine-type), installed it but still the same symptoms remained when trying to start with the key from the control-box.<br /><br />Other things i have done after the problem occured: Replaced to new battery and to new spark plugs. Verified that the 20Amp-fuse is OK.<br /><br />Now i suspect that the ignition problem is within the control-box (White Johnson Control-box with Gear -and warmup lever). Noticed that there were som loose screws on the box, probably the previous owner had similar problems and had/did som adjustments regarding to the control-box...<br /><br />Can someone help me suggesting what next step to do is? I want to trap where the error is and replace the "bad" parts.<br /><br />One more thing/clue (?) - Tried to pull Control-box-lever to reverse without the engine running, but reverse was stuck - but worked before. However forward-gear worked fine.<br /><br />If you answer/help me, please remember that i am a novice when it comes to skills in boats/engines/electricity.<br /><br />Best Regards<br /> Tom

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Johnson 50HP 1975 Ignition problem - Control Box Related ?

Welcome to iboats.<br /><br />There are two more things to check for starting. The key switch and the neutral safety switch. Both are in the control box.<br /><br />Don't worry about not shifting with the motor off. The cogs are just lining up instead of falling into the groove. Normal. If you give the prop a little twist it will fall in.<br /><br />I have been curious. I have seen questions from Denmark, Finland, and Sweden (to name a few). Is English the main language in Sweden? Or something else? I have seen some that used a computer translator, but they can be hard to understand. You must speak English well judging from your post. I find it amazing that I get to help people all around the world. This site gives me a lot of fun that way.

 

[Sweden_West]

Re: Johnson 50HP 1975 Ignition problem - Control Box Related ?

Hi WillyBWright!<br /><br />Thank You for the reply!<br /><br />You mentioned that i should check the key switch and the neutral safety switch in the control-box.<br /><br />As i mentioned i am a novice when it comes to knowledge about electricity. What should i observe when checking ? <br /><br />Tried to dissemble the control-box a few hours ago - before posting here, but could not dissemble the upper parts, they seemed to be stuck. Did'nt want to use violence when pulling ...<br /><br />Yes, the borders of the world started to blur away at the same time as internet became avalable for common people. Especially the Scandinavian countries are frequent internet-users. Statistics say that Sweden and Finland have most internet-users "per capita" in the world. English is "the second language" in Scandinavia, almost everyone aged 10-years and older speaks English..<br /><br />Best Regards<br /> Tom

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Johnson 50HP 1975 Ignition problem - Control Box Related ?

Thank you for the information. I learned something today.<br /><br />It is hard to get that box fully apart. Much of what you need to see should be able to be seen without taking it all apart. It is harder to get it all back together again! The current to the starter solenoid starts at the key switch. From there it goes through the neutral safety switch and on to the solenoid. You can test all of this with a test light. They look like pointy screwdrivers with a light in the handle and a wire with a clip on it.<br /><br />I hope somebody can provide a wiring diagram to help you. I know which wires to test, but I don't know the colors. You might be able to find a manual at a library. Many over here have them.<br /><br />I hope this is of some help. I am sure there will be more information coming.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Johnson 50HP 1975 Ignition problem - Control Box Related ?

I think 1975s use many of the same colors as now, so I'll try.<br /><br />Red is from the Battery +<br />Black is from the Battery -<br />Purple gives 12v + with the key On<br />Yellow gives 12v + with the key at Start<br /><br />With the test light, see if there is light when the key is turned to Start on the yellow wire. Next try at the safety switch. With the key at Start, you should get light at both of the wires coming out. On older motors, the yellow wire is white instead. I hope this helps.

 

[Sweden_West]

Re: Johnson 50HP 1975 Ignition problem - Control Box Related ?

WillyBWright :<br /><br />Thank You for the excellent clarification. <br />I'm sure this will be very helpful solving my problem.<br /><br />You should visit Sweden if you have the opportunity. Both the west coast - where i live (Gothenburg) and the east coast have thousands of small islands each. There is plenty to discover if you travel by boat (or without ..) in Sweden. Sweden has a law called "Allemansraetten", which - for example - means that you have the right to raise a tent on anyones land-property if you only intend to spend a night (or two) at the specific location. So there is no "No trespassing-signs" in Sweden. Everyone is welcome - everywhere!<br /><br />Best Regards<br /> Tom

 

[voodoo]

Re: Johnson 50HP 1975 Ignition problem - Control Box Related ?

Originally posted by Sweden_West:<br /> WillyBWright :<br /><br />Thank You for the excellent clarification. <br />I'm sure this will be very helpful solving my problem.<br /><br />You should visit Sweden if you have the opportunity. Both the west coast - where i live (Gothenburg) and the east coast have thousands of small islands each. There is plenty to discover if you travel by boat (or without ..) in Sweden. Sweden has a law called "Allemansraetten", which - for example - means that you have the right to raise a tent on anyones land-property if you only intend to spend a night (or two) at the specific location. So there is no "No trespassing-signs" in Sweden. Everyone is welcome - everywhere!<br /><br />Best Regards<br /> Tom

That's amazing... in Canada you'd get arrested in the US you'd get shot at.

 

[angus63]

Re: Johnson 50HP 1975 Ignition problem - Control Box Related ?

Not to worry... By the time the hammer goes click the Canadien has already surrendered!!!!!!

 

[Sweden_West]

Re: Johnson 50HP 1975 Ignition problem - Control Box Related ?

I bought a digital multitester and went to my boat a couple of hours ago. <br /><br />The symptoms of my Johnson 50hk 1975 were: No response at all, not even a click, when the key is on start, but the engine starts with a battery-cable from the battery+ to the start-engine+.<br /><br />Tried to fully open the control box, which by the way is a "Johnson Command Center" (would appreciate if anyone could suggest where i can find a new one), but could only open the lower part, the upper part seemed "stuck" even though i opened all screws and bolts i found, and forcely tried to pull it of .. Because of that i could only measure the voltage on the visibly attached cables.<br /><br />There was a purple and a brown cable attached to a cylindrical "thing" with white plastic body, that were measurable/visible and both were 12v with key on. <br /><br />There were other visible cables that i couldn't reach to measure because i could'nt open the upper part of the "command center", the colors were (if i remember correctly) : red, blue, black, white (the red "sounds" important to measure ..) I assume that some of these cables have to do with the ignition ..<br /><br />Also measured the voltage at the solenoid's yellow thin cable and it was 0v (zero) when the key was on. Tried to measure other "spots" within the engine but it seemed that no electricity whatsoever reached to the engine at any place i tried to measure when the key was on. <br /><br />Conclusion:<br />There is electricity on the purple and brown cable inside the "Johnson Control Center" but nowhere on the engine.<br /><br />I would be thankful for any guidance for what i should do next? <br /><br />Regards <br /> Tom

 

[Sweden_West]

Re: Johnson 50HP 1975 Ignition problem - Control Box Related ?

The problem is solved!<br /><br />It was the neutral safety switch in the Johnson Command Center (Had to take it completely apart) that had failed. <br /><br />The engine is working perfectly again.<br /><br />Thank's WillyBWright !<br /><br />Regards <br /> Tom