1971 Johnson 50 hp hydro electric shift

[Firestomper]

my engine model number is 50else71s .I asked this question a week or so ago but didn't get the answer. I know how the system works thanks to this forum.As on now i have dextron III fluid in the lower unit to clean the system i ran it on muffs for 30 min yesterday.Just haven't been to the store to get the right fluid yet. but heres my problem while it was running i aplied 12 volts to my wires . one wire it soulded like it would go to neutral but for only 3 to 5 sec before it would go back into foward.the other wire nothing both at the same time nothing .All that i have read here on the forums say 2 wires blue and green.i have 3 wires white black and green only the white and black were originally hooked up the green was cut off..tomorrow i am going to put the proper fluid in the lower unit any help would be appreciated .I just bought this motor 3 weeks ago out of an old barn so who knows what the deal is with this

 

[OBJ]

Re: 1971 Johnson 50 hp hydro electric shift

Hey firestomper...sounds like a firefighter?<br /><br />The white, black and green wires, are they coming from the lower unit or coming from the engine harness? Sounds like someone done some re-wiring. Green should be neutral and blue is reverse. (ya' probably already know that, but just want it up front) The motor will be in gear until 12volts is applied to the green wire and the engine is running. If the odd colored wires are coming from the lower unit, you may have to pull it off and see what's doing down there. Did you have reverse? Not sure what applying 12volts to both wires would do. Probably nothing, both solenoids working against each other. Not familiar with using dextron III fluid to "clean out the lower unit". Can you catch me up with that? I don't know if the fluid would have any ill effects on the solenoids. Thanks.

 

[Firestomper]

Re: 1971 Johnson 50 hp hydro electric shift

I have read some where on here that dextron will clean the lower unit forgot who said it. Hope he was right ..I didn't have reverse . I was under the impressionthat 12 volts to both wires was reverse..... maybe i read it wrong either way no reverse.Does that special oil that goes in the lower unit smell anything like axel grease..the fluid that came out was black and smelled like 80 /90 oil...I have spent the past 2 weeks on engine work heli coils....solenoids..coil packs controlers one thing after another...ohh starter..luckly i was able to use parts off a 1986 johnson 40...but back to the shifter..would you put the new oil in it then try it or go ahead and take it apart?

 

[OBJ]

Re: 1971 Johnson 50 hp hydro electric shift

I'm not real sure that using dextron was a good idea. Premium C oil is what to use in your lower unit. It will have no ill effects on the solenoids that lubes like Hi-Vis would. Sounds like you probably are going to have to pull that lower unit and see what's up. I'm not real keen about the odd colored wires either. Old oil will smell to high heaven and have the color of tar. Maybe why your having problems now. If it were me, I'd jerk the gear case off and take a look.

 

[alcan]

Re: 1971 Johnson 50 hp hydro electric shift

Hi Fire <br />You are correct, power to both wires = reverse. I have never used auto trannt fluid. But the idea of it is to try and flush old gear oil and try to clean the pump screen. Since you say you were able to get neutral, I feel your problem may be electrical. I would remove the lower unit and look the wires and silenoids.

 

[OBJ]

Re: 1971 Johnson 50 hp hydro electric shift

Oooopppps!! Got my wires crossed. Thanks for straightening that out alcan. Just thought about it and makes sense.

 

[Firestomper]

Re: 1971 Johnson 50 hp hydro electric shift

Oh By the way I am a fire fighter..but any way i have a Clymer manual for this engine .Any other helpful ideas on removing the lower unit besides whats in the manual?never messed with an outboard till this. but i have a feeling after all i have done and will have to do to this, I should be able to open an outboard shop

 

[Firestomper]

Re: 1971 Johnson 50 hp hydro electric shift

I have three wires goin under the powerhead is the third an extra ground?

 

[OBJ]

Re: 1971 Johnson 50 hp hydro electric shift

You a pro or volunteer? I'm a volunteer.<br /><br />It's a good idea to connect a wire or strong piece of string to the wire harness going to the lower unit before you pull it. When ya' get ready to reinstall, the wire and string will guide the harness back up through the motor. Don't know if that's in the Clymers or not. OH! and sometimes harsh language helps to!

 

[OBJ]

Re: 1971 Johnson 50 hp hydro electric shift

The wire harness going to the lower unit should only be two wires, a blue and green. Hard to say what ya' got with out seein'. Still sounds like someone "rewired" it as Tim 'The Tool Man Taylor' would say. Could be they (who ever) tried to put in another ground.

 

[Firestomper]

Re: 1971 Johnson 50 hp hydro electric shift

well good news..I guess it was the dextron III that did it. I drained and refilled the lower unit with the right stuff and behold 12 volts to the white wire neutral...12 volts to the black and white reverse....whew I am a volunter Fire fighter.and first responder. hopefully going full time here shortly....Thanks for all the help now i just have to hook up my 3-way switch and then its off to the lake for the maiden voyage for a boat i have had 2 years again thanks

 

[alcan]

Re: 1971 Johnson 50 hp hydro electric shift

Hi firestomper<br />Good to here of your sucess. I know how it is, everybody wants to go play. If you neglected to drop your L/U and have a look see, you may be in for a disapointment at the lake. Do a through servive and inspection of this unit,service the cooling system including the water pump. Then when you get to the lake you can have fun!

 

[Firestomper]

Re: 1971 Johnson 50 hp hydro electric shift

i know the water pump is working while i was playing mechanic ..when i put he head back on i left the water manifold off to see if water came up there sure enough water galore.Closer inspection reviled a bolt missing that holds the lower unit on and water comming out there inbetween the gasket so i guess i am going to have to remove it anyway to replace the gasket.and when i drained the dextron out it was a lil milky i am guessing thats how.while at the boat shop today the guy said i needed to bring it in and let him look at i said how much he said at a min. $60 ....thats just to look at it.i think i am goin to look at it myself with the help of this and save me $$$...

 

[OBJ]

Re: 1971 Johnson 50 hp hydro electric shift

Hey firestomper....just read yer post and am glad to hear yer gettin things straighteded out. Got to agree with alcan, if your going to drop the lower unit, it ain't all that much to change out the pump impeller and give the whole thing a good servicing. Might save a good time on the water. Good Luck!

 

[Firestomper]

Re: 1971 Johnson 50 hp hydro electric shift

thanks for the info will do as soon as the east coast monsoons quit ;-)