Where is my tach/signal wire for 2004 Johnson 115HP?

[tony_cliffy]

Arghh! My dealer has failed to help me identify which signal wire to use so I can hook up my tachometer. I have a 2004 Johnson 115HP 4-stroke and I'm installing a standard Teleflex-Morse tach. The Teleflex instructions are somewhat generic and suggest various wire colors as the possible one. I realize my engine is made by Suzuki but neither the Johnson or Suzuki instructions match the wires under my console. My dealer's mechanic said he didn't know on this new engine. While I will call the owner and ask for his help, I have found the wonderful technical advice here to always be quick and accurate and I really appreciate it. My wiring and console are all pulled apart so I'm hoping to ge tthis figured out and put back together soon.<br /><br />Much thanks!<br /><br />Tony

 

[seahorse5]

Re: Where is my tach/signal wire for 2004 Johnson 115HP?

Your Johnson 4-stroke uses the same MWS wiring harness as all their outboards since 1996. If the boat wiring is for a Johnson or Evinrude earlier than '96, then you will need the adapter kits that have to be ordered from a dealer.<br /><br />The tach signal is on the gray wire, switched B+ is purple, ground is black.

 

[tony_cliffy]

Re: Where is my tach/signal wire for 2004 Johnson 115HP?

This is a new boat and new engine - both 2004. I don't see where any additonal plug would hook into the existing harness connections.<br /><br />I don't see an all-gray wire anywhere. I see several gray wires with various stripes but those seem to go to accesories or lights. My dealer told me gray too, but again, I looked and didn't see just a gray wire.<br /><br />Is this wiring harness for the boat or does it come with the engine? Does the fact that this is a Suzuki make a difference?

 

[seahorse5]

Re: Where is my tach/signal wire for 2004 Johnson 115HP?

Are you saying that you don't have the key switch, a 4-lite System Check gauge, or the connecting cable that goes from the key switch to the outboard? These are not part of the boat electrical wiring, but a separate cable that has to be installed in the boat. That cable has the tach and power wires at the end of it, and it has to be purchased in additon to controls, gauges, and throttle and shift cables.

 

[tony_cliffy]

Re: Where is my tach/signal wire for 2004 Johnson 115HP?

Seahorse,<br /><br />Yes, I do have the system check guage installed. I also have a key switch. I am sure I can trace back from either of these to the plug feeding them. I have to imagine the wire is there - either I am simply not seeing it or it has a stripe or another color.<br /><br />Will this plug have an incoming signal wire (engine side of the plug) that does not go to either the key or system check? If so, I can tap into it and wire it to the tach. Or, will this signal wire already be feeding the key or system check gauge and will need to splice into it to got to the tach?<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />Tony

 

[seahorse5]

Re: Where is my tach/signal wire for 2004 Johnson 115HP?

trace back back from the System Check gauge along the cable, the purple (12V), black (ground), and gray (tach signal) wires have ring terminals on them and will be there. The ring terminals will be taped or protected.

 

[tony_cliffy]

Re: Where is my tach/signal wire for 2004 Johnson 115HP?

Seahorse - Bingo! Found it just as you said. I traced it back from the system check. I believe dealer used the power wire from this bundle for another gauge and wrapped everything else back up so I couldn't find it. I had to completely undo all wire bundles to find it. But I found it and tach works. Now I have a prop/RPM problem but at least I have good data to diagnose it!<br /><br />Thank you.