1981 25hp Johnson neutral safety switch.

[cvtech1]

I have a 1981 25hp Johny that has a neutral safety switch (tan looking switch) that is connected to the shift lever but the motor starts in fwd or reverse. What is the problem and how can it be fixed? Anyone?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1981 25hp Johnson neutral safety switch.

check connections, if good, replace switch,

 

[F_R]

Re: 1981 25hp Johnson neutral safety switch.

Is the linkage depressing and releasing the switch plunger when you shift? If that is ok, then disconnect the wire from the switch. Does it start now? If it does, then somebody has been dinking around with the wiring, or installed an incorrect starter solenoid.

 

[cvtech1]

Re: 1981 25hp Johnson neutral safety switch.

I am a novice on outboard motors, I can disconnect the wire and see if it starts. If it does or if it don't what next? Thanks!

 

[F_R]

Re: 1981 25hp Johnson neutral safety switch.

I am a novice on outboard motors, I can disconnect the wire and see if it starts. If it does or if it don't what next? Thanks!

No point in us writing a book. Let us know what the test result is and we can go down that path without sidetracks down all the others.

 

[cvtech1]

Re: 1981 25hp Johnson neutral safety switch.

Will do and get back with you.

 

[cvtech1]

Re: 1981 25hp Johnson neutral safety switch.

Sorry guys just got to my neutral safety switch. Since the last time I posted I just changed the switch yesterday after pulling the (1) wire which was connected to just one side of the old switch and it started. Put a new switch in and the same thing. Should there be 2 wires on this switch?

 

[milliesdad]

Re: 1981 25hp Johnson neutral safety switch.

This switch grounds the starting circuit preventing it from starting. It is accuated by a small plunger (read above) being depressed by the shift selector arm. (described it best I could).

I had one that gave me the same problem. I removed the bracket, added flat washer to the back of each side if the bracket, then re-installed the bracket/switch assy. By adding the flat washers, I brought the switch out the thickness of the washers and allowed the button to be pushed in farther.
Problem solved. Could be just a case of worn switch.

 

[cvtech1]

Re: 1981 25hp Johnson neutral safety switch.

There is only one wire attached to this switch, should it be another and where should it go? anybody.

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: 1981 25hp Johnson neutral safety switch.

This switch grounds the starting circuit preventing it from starting. It is accuated by a small plunger (read above) being depressed by the shift selector arm. (described it best I could).

I may be off base here 'cause I don't have the exact engine being discussed, but on all the engines I've owned the neutral safety switch is in series with the wire going to the solenoid (if not in neutral the solenoid won't engage the starter). If the neutral switch went to ground you'd blow a fuse if you every tried starting in gear. (Were you thinking of the safety kill switch, which does go to ground when activated?).

If there's only one wire going to the neutral switch and the engine cranks then someone has bypassed the switch.


I'll apologize ahead of time if I'm wrong about this particular engine, but I don't think so.

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: 1981 25hp Johnson neutral safety switch.

It appears that this would be a safety switch that is located on the engine itself, directly operated by the shift lever. This type would have a wire running from the ground 3/8" nut terminal of the solenoid running direct to the safety switch (the switch is self grounding). In neutral, the switch is grounded which completes the starter solenoid circuit.... in gear, the ground circuit is eliminated disabling the starter circuit.

Relying on memory..... Aren't those switches somewhat adjustable (in/out motion) via an oblong mounting hole to take up slack on the button? Really don't recall if so or not.

 

[cvtech1]

Re: 1981 25hp Johnson neutral safety switch.

It appears that this would be a safety switch that is located on the engine itself, directly operated by the shift lever. This type would have a wire running from the ground 3/8" nut terminal of the solenoid running direct to the safety switch (the switch is self grounding). In neutral, the switch is grounded which completes the starter solenoid circuit.... in gear, the ground circuit is eliminated disabling the starter circuit.

Relying on memory..... Aren't those switches somewhat adjustable (in/out motion) via an oblong mounting hole to take up slack on the button? Really don't recall if so or not.

I believe you are right, the switch is on the engine and there is only 1 wire on it. I will try to adjust it to see if it will kill the engine. I bought a new switch and same thing. Thanks! One more thing, it has terminals for 2 wires. With it being self grounding does the other terminal matter?

 

[cvtech1]

Re: 1981 25hp Johnson neutral safety switch.

I have looked around on the engine where the safety switch is and can't find another wire with the same end that even looks like it goes on the other side. Because of the way it's made it does look like a wire could be in series also. Thanks guys for the replies.

 

[jasper60103]

Re: 1981 25hp Johnson neutral safety switch.

Sorry guys just got to my neutral safety switch. Since the last time I posted I just changed the switch yesterday after pulling the (1) wire which was connected to just one side of the old switch and it started. Put a new switch in and the same thing. Should there be 2 wires on this switch?

Again, there should only be one wire on the neutral safety switch.
You stated above you can disconnect the wire from the switch and the motor will start. This eliminates the switch from the circuit and indicates the solenoid is getting grounded somewhere else. I would take a closer look at the (2) smaller solenoid terminals. I'm assuming you have a marine starter solenoid. One small terminal should have a wire going to the switch. The other small terminal wire should going to your start button or start switch. I would be curious about any other wiring you see on those 2 small solenoid terminals?

I'll try to find or take some pics of my motor. Hope this helps.

edit: I added a pic below of my starter I plan to install. I have it on my bench to test first. Notice the two smaller solenoid terminals on top. Check the wiring connections to those as I mentioned above.

 

[cvtech1]

Re: 1981 25hp Johnson neutral safety switch.

Thanks Jasper60103, I will give it a good look around and see what is going on and report back what I found. The Pic helps, again thanks.