Test Starting Without Harness & Box

[bankermike]

I'm trying to bring an old 1971 60 hp Johnson back to life after it's been sitting up for 25 years. If I can get it running I'm going to need a control box and harness for it as it does'nt have one now. Before I invest the $ in a control box and harness I would like to know if the motor is going to run.
Is there a way to start the motor without a control box or wiring harness?

 

[fdmsiv]

Re: Test Starting Without Harness & Box

I have a 73 Johnson. I got a trigger starter from SEARS. I connected the trigger starter across the starter solenoid (across the smaller terminals) and connected a battery to the leads. Pulled the trigger and the motor turned over. I don't remember if I had a plan on how to stop it, the engine stalled after running for thirty seconds or so.

 

[bankermike]

Re: Test Starting Without Harness & Box

I know how to jump the solenoid to make the starter spin but will the ignition system be working? Will I be "getting fire"? I don't want to burn anything up either.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Test Starting Without Harness & Box

connect your battery cables, and jump the solenoid. you will have to choke it to shut it down. also remove the prop, being hydro electric, it will start in forward, and no way to shift to neutral, take the prop off, and save your leg.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Test Starting Without Harness & Box

Get yourself a spark tester (couple bucks at any car parts store), connect it to one spark plug wire and use a jumper wire to ground the others. you can test for compression & spark without starting the engine.

 

[bankermike]

Re: Test Starting Without Harness & Box

Props already off. As soon as I get the carbs put back together after soaking and rebuild kits...I'll give her a try.

 

[F_R]

Re: Test Starting Without Harness & Box

You are treading on slippery ice. That motor has to have no-nonsense electrical hookup or you risk blowing the alternator rectifier and/or the ignition amplifier.

But if you insist, hook up +&- battery cables (NOT jumper cable clamps). Then you will have to provide a 12 volt feed to the ignition amplifier. That should let it run, and will stop by disconnecting the feed from the amplifier.

I remind you: Poor connections will blow something...guaranteed.

 

[bankermike]

Re: Test Starting Without Harness & Box

Where do I hook up the + & -? At the solenoid? Is that going to provide a 12 volt feed to the ignition amplifier or is that a separate step? If so, please explain. I surely don't want to blow up some high $ electrical parts.
Thanks.

Michael

 

[F_R]

Re: Test Starting Without Harness & Box

(+) battery cable to the starter solenoid. (-) battery cable to a secure ground on the powerhead (a bolt or something). Another wire (16-18 Ga is ok) from where you connected the cable to the solenoid and to the purple wires screw on the terminal strip. Leave the other purple wires connected also. You can have an alligator clip on this one at the solenoid end. The alligator clip will be your ignition on-off switch.

 

[bankermike]

Re: Test Starting Without Harness & Box

I do have a control box for a non Hydro-Electric Evinrude 1974 50 hp. with a red cannon plug.Is there a way I can use that box for a test start to reduce the chance of burning something up?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Test Starting Without Harness & Box

no. you have to have a yellow plug harness.

 

[bankermike]

Re: Test Starting Without Harness & Box

I was afraid of that.

 

[bankermike]

Re: Test Starting Without Harness & Box

I hooked everything up as described by F R & I'm not getting any spark to the plugs. I'm wondering if I did something wrong or if I have a problem somewhere else. Where should I begin?

 

[F_R]

Re: Test Starting Without Harness & Box

Disconnect the coil primary wire, then unbolt the coil from the motor, then remove it from the distributor cap by turning the whole coil and spark wire (it screws into the cap). Then remount the coil and primary wire. Rig up a 3/8" spark gap between the spark wire and ground.

Now, unplug the black/white wire going from the amplifier to the timer base. With the jumper wire connected as I earlier suggested, brush the black/white wire terminal against a bare metal ground. You should get sparks across the spark wire gap. If you do, then your amplifier and coil are probably OK and the problem is likely inside the distributor cap/rotor/breaker points/reverse cutout ring/whatever.

 

[bankermike]

Re: Test Starting Without Harness & Box

Thanks F R. I'll give that a try this afternoon and report back in the morning.

 

[ddaigle]

Re: Test Starting Without Harness & Box

Sent you a PM let me know if you get it.

 

[bankermike]

Re: Test Starting Without Harness & Box

F R, when I setup to test as previously described by you, when I completted the connection at the battery the starter would engage and spin turning the motor over. Of course, with no spark it would'nt start. How was I to disengagee the starter if it had of started? Am I missing something?
Thanks

Michael

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Test Starting Without Harness & Box

mike, i thing you connect to the wrong large post on the solenoid, and by pass the solenoid. top post should be from battery, bottom post to starter. then jump solenoid to turn over. or you have a shorted solenoid.

 

[F_R]

Re: Test Starting Without Harness & Box

No PM yet 5/19/08 11:10 AM Eastern

 

[F_R]

Re: Test Starting Without Harness & Box

This is how I want you to turn the ignition on