1972 johnson elect. shift 2 strange problems

[Tonygotskilz]

First off when i go to put the key into the throttle box and turn it to the on position, a very loud siren like horn goes off in the box making a loud whirring sound. WTF is that? what does it mean? This just started after i took the lower unit off to run a new set of wires for the electric shift (cause one of my old ones got disconnect and the unit was stuck in nuetral)... Second problem came about after fix also, the 5 bolts that hold in the lower unit (well 4 cause i had to hacksaw off cause it got stuck) try to come lose when i run the motor for awhile like they are being shaken out even though i torqued them in pretty well? I've taken lower unit off before and never had that happen?

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: 1972 johnson elect. shift 2 strange problems

The sound out of the control box is the over heat horn. Did you possibley pull the rubber sleave off the sender when you disconnected the shift wires. Both use the same type rubber sleave. There should be six bolts holding your gear case on. If you are holding it with four. That could be causing the gear case to come loose. If the prop is bent out of balance, that would also aggravate the problem. On some of these older engines, I've seen the insulation on the wiring harness just turn to crumbs. That also could be grounding your over heat horn.

 

[Tonygotskilz]

Re: 1972 johnson elect. shift 2 strange problems

Is there any way to disable the horn? its gotta be shorting somewhere, cause it said it went off as soon as i tried to start then motor, so now way it overheated that quick?

 

[Hooty]

Re: 1972 johnson elect. shift 2 strange problems

Does the horn sound briefly or stay on? If it's on just for a second, that its self-check and it's suppose to do that. If it stays on, the wire, (probably tan) from the high-temp sensor is grounded somewhere.<br /><br />c/6Hooty

 

[Tonygotskilz]

Re: 1972 johnson elect. shift 2 strange problems

The horn stays on constantly, i didn't mess with any other wires except the two that go to the lower unit shifter, so i don't know why my overheat wire would be grounding, what does it come off of cause i don't know where to start looking for it.... Also i've heard that you can convert the old electric shifts to mechanical shifts anyone know about that? how hard is it to do, and what will i need to do it? Also any resources on that topic anywhere?

 

[ledgefinder]

Re: 1972 johnson elect. shift 2 strange problems

Which 4 studs do you still have attaching the lower unit? If it's just the 4 up front, you may be pulling the studs. The lower unit on a 125 tries to rotate forward HARD at full throttle - that's why those two other studs are there towards the rear of the lower unit. The moment arm for the front studs just isn't big enough to get the job done. <br /><br />The overheat sensor on those V4s is on the starboard head. It has one wire coming from it with a splice pretty close to where the two leads to the lower unit have their splices.

 

[ledgefinder]

Re: 1972 johnson elect. shift 2 strange problems

You can convert that motor to mechanical shift, but I'd leave it with what you've got. The hydroelectric shifts are different from the older pure electric shifts, and are relatively trouble-free. Keep the salt water out of it (in other words, make sure it stays well-sealed).<br /><br />To do the conversion, you need the lower unit, midsection, and shift linkage from a 1973-77 V4 (the 1977 135/140 won't work). In other words, you're really swapping your 125 block onto the other motor. If your 125's seen much salt service, it may not be a lot of fun.

 

[ledgefinder]

Re: 1972 johnson elect. shift 2 strange problems

You can convert that motor to mechanical shift, but I'd leave it with what you've got. The hydroelectric shifts are different from the older pure electric shifts, and are relatively trouble-free. Keep the salt water out of it (in other words, make sure it stays well-sealed).<br /><br />To do the conversion, you need the lower unit, midsection, and shift linkage from a 1973-77 V4 (the 1977 135/140 won't work). In other words, you're really swapping your 125 block onto the other motor. If your 125's seen much salt service, it may not be a lot of fun.

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: 1972 johnson elect. shift 2 strange problems

Legefinder: This is not a bolt-on coversion, "Hydro-electric to mechanical" Where are you going to run mechanical linkage. Take a look at drive shaft splines. How about hooking remote control linkage. By the time you got done, you would have a 1973 engine with all the parts.

 

[Tonygotskilz]

Re: 1972 johnson elect. shift 2 strange problems

My engines a 50 horse btw, sorry i didn't specify...i guess i'll stick with the electric shift i have but aside from the horn noise i still can't get it to shift into gear. It had a split wire (one of the two that go to the lower unit to shift) i sliced more wire on to the slit one and it worked perfectly out of water and shifted correctly, but as soon as i put it in water it wouldn't shift anymore, i'm pretty sure its shorting somewhere, i'm going to have to take it apart and try again. I just want to get it up and running so i can sell it and get something alittle bigger...(boat and engine wise), if you know anyone who wants a 15 ft tri hall with a 50 horse that won't shift let me know ... lol