72' Johnson 65 Shorted ignition switch

[Leont]

I have a 1972 Johnson 65HP with an Evinrude control, selectric. I was having a problem with the automatic choke and thought I needed to clean the contacts on the switch. While I was there I decided to clean the contacts on the ignition switch as well.(by contacts I mean where the wires are screwed to the switch) I thought I had disconnected the battery, but no. Got a small spark now nothing works. Is there a fuse somewhere for the switch? Hope I didn't blow something important. Thanks!

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: 72' Johnson 65 Shorted ignition switch

There is a 20 amp fuse under the cowling that you most likely blew. Good chance you blew the rectifier too.

 

[Leont]

Re: 72' Johnson 65 Shorted ignition switch

Thanks, will look again. Have any idea where to look? Looked around the starboard side of the engine where the plug for wiring harness is but saw nothing. Too dark now but will look again in AM. Have always had inboards, this is 1st outboard, hope to eventually get it to run right. I assume the cowing is the cover for the engine.(Was a corpsman) Thanks again!

 

[F_R]

Re: 72' Johnson 65 Shorted ignition switch

Thanks, will look again. Have any idea where to look? Looked around the starboard side of the engine where the plug for wiring harness is but saw nothing. Too dark now but will look again in AM. Have always had inboards, this is 1st outboard, hope to eventually get it to run right. I assume the cowing is the cover for the engine.(Was a corpsman) Thanks again!

It will be a molded rubber fuseholder about as thick as a pinky finger. One lead of it goes to the big post on the starter solenoid that the battery cable connects to. The other end goes to the big red plug. That's as close as I can come to telling you exactly where to look.

What you did won't affect the rectifier.

 

[Leont]

Re: 72' Johnson 65 Shorted ignition switch

Bill and F R,
Took a flashlight out and found it. Small, incased in rubber, about 1/2 inch long and blown. It was up on the starboard side near the rectifier in a clip. Need to check the rectifier anyway. Original problem was the automatic choke, solenoid works but is weak and won't close the chokes have another that I trieds and is doing the same. Will make sure the battery is disconnected for sure next time. Thanks again, you guys really know your boats!! Leon in Arkansas

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: 72' Johnson 65 Shorted ignition switch

Its just as F R described and is located on the starboard side, just in front of the wiring terminal block. Don't confuse it with a small brown ball (shift diode & lead assembly), which is commonly referred to a "monkey nutz." What you are looking for is black and looks sort of like a bullet. Its an inline fuse holder with a very short glass, 20 amp fuse inside.

As bhile mentioned, you may have blown your rectifier also. The rectifier converts the 300VAC that comes from the stator to 12VDC for the motor's charge system. Being blown will not keep the engine from running, but it will prevent your battery from being charged as you run the motor.



???

 

[F_R]

Re: 72' Johnson 65 Shorted ignition switch

Its just as F R described and is located on the starboard side, just in front of the wiring terminal block. Don't confuse it with a small brown ball (shift diode & lead assembly), which is commonly referred to a "monkey nutz." What you are looking for is black and looks sort of like a bullet. Its an inline fuse holder with a very short glass, 20 amp fuse inside.

As bhile mentioned, you may have blown your rectifier also. The rectifier converts the 300VAC that comes from the stator to 12VDC for the motor's charge system. Being blown will not keep the engine from running, but it will prevent your battery from being charged as you run the motor.
???

Well, I have no way of knowing whether the rectiier is blown or not. But I am saying that the rectifier output goes directly to the battery and does not pass through the fuse or go to the ignition switch. So, short-circuiting stuff at the switch does not affect the rectifier, because there is no connection.

But you CAN blow the POWER PACK if you arc the battery terminal to the kill terminal.

 

[Leont]

Re: 72' Johnson 65 Shorted ignition switch

It appears that my short burst of senility didn't do any major damage. I replaced the fuse and it started up. Haven't, as yet, checked the rectifier but will do so when it stops raining. I still have a weak automatic choke. It initializes but can't close the chokes. Tested off the engine with 12 volts it works, pulled a small piece of metal across the workbench. Wire between the switch and the solenoid? Not sure, will check later, will also disconnect the battery if I need to work on it. Thanks again for your continued help. Leon

 

[Leont]

Re: 72' Johnson 65 Shorted ignition switch

An addendum: I moved the choke solenoid in its bracket closer to the choke(moved it forward) and it now works. Not sure if that is supposed to be the solution but it works when I activate the switch and will then release. Now if I can just get the darn thing to run in the water I have a boat! Thanks to all.
Leon