Need help tracking down an intermittent engine on/off problem

Tbonus

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Dec 4, 2004
Messages
34
The motor is a 1998 Johnson 90hp SPL on a 17.5 foot Aquasport. The other day the engine seemed like it was dead. I charged the battery and still nothing. I checked the trim and it worked. I went on to check everything else such as lights and pumps, and they all work. Everything worked except the guages and the starter. I also checked the fuse on the top of the motor. It was fine. I even swapped it with the spare to be sure.<br /><br />I purchased a new ignition key switch and swapped it out with no change. As I was wiggling the shifter assembly and the wires underneath, the guages came to life. I put it all back together and tested - it was dead again. Out of frustration, I hit the area above the key switch with the bottom of my fist. The system came to life.<br /><br />It quit again a little later. I wiggled the shifter arm from side to side, and she came back to life. I actually had her out on Sarasota Bay all day today with no problems.<br /><br />When I got her home for a rinse, she was dead again. I shook the console, and she came to life.<br /><br />I need some help. It must be a loose connection or a switch going bad somewhere. Where to start the search? What would you do?<br /><br />Any assitance is appreciated.
 

Ben Konopacky

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Apr 5, 2004
Messages
296
Re: Need help tracking down an intermittent engine on/off problem

could be a corroded or miss adjusted neutral start switch in the remote control.
 

Silvertip

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 22, 2003
Messages
28,771
Re: Need help tracking down an intermittent engine on/off problem

You are probably losing the 12V feed from the engine harness. The problem is going to be either in the control box or at the ignition switch. I doubt its the neutral start switch as that shouldn't affect the gauges.
 

Tbonus

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Dec 4, 2004
Messages
34
Re: Need help tracking down an intermittent engine on/off problem

I already swapped the ignition switch with no change. How do I track down the 12v feed in the control box?
 

mistylady

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Nov 1, 2004
Messages
41
Re: Need help tracking down an intermittent engine on/off problem

check the wire harness at the engine. mistylady
 
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