1996 Johnson 50 won't go over 2500 RPM

[doctorfly]

I have a 1996 Johnson 50 hp. It's a 3 cylinder and the model # is: J50DTLEDC. Recently, my oil tank cracked. After it cracked, the engine would not go over 2500 RPM. I figured that this was due to the SLOW system that ensures the engine doesn't get damaged when it detects that oil might not be flowing correctly.

I decided to disconnect the VRO system. I did this by capping the oil inlet to the VRO pump. I also disconnected the cable that lead from the tank to the VRO pump. I then mixed oil with gas at a 50:1 ratio. The engine ran great the first day that I took it out. However, the very next day, the engine dropped back down to 2500 RPM and wouldn't go above it. I made it back to the ramp and took the boat out. While I was running water through the engine, the No Oil buzzer and light on the tach came on.

It seems that the VRO system thinks it's not getting oil, but I thought it was fully disconnected. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated...

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1996 Johnson 50 won't go over 2500 RPM

disconnect the sender wire on the pump.

 

[doctorfly]

Re: 1996 Johnson 50 won't go over 2500 RPM

Thanks for the response. Sorry, but, how do I know which wire is the sender wire? Thanks...

 

[DavidIreland]

Re: 1996 Johnson 50 won't go over 2500 RPM

seems its gone into a limp home mode till you connect back up everything. I'd get all repaired first and then see if it works right.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1996 Johnson 50 won't go over 2500 RPM

3 wire connector, i believe.

 

[kjdunne]

Re: 1996 Johnson 50 won't go over 2500 RPM

It will be a wire from the VRO pump itself to a seperate connector near the big red plug in the engine harness. May be 3 or 4 wire depending on year, I'm not sure when the 4 wire system started being used. The VRO plug should be black with a wire keeper on it. Disconnecting it will disable the low oil and no oil alarms, but not affect the overheat warning.

 

[doctorfly]

Re: 1996 Johnson 50 won't go over 2500 RPM

Great, thanks! I found the connector (it was a 4 wire), and I disconnected it. I wasn't able to see if that fixed the problem as I didn't have immediate access to a hose. I'll hopefully give it a go tomorrow though and I'll let all know if it worked. Thanks again...