74 Johson Hydro Electric Control

[vintageglastron]

Hi All,
I have a 74 Johnson 50 Hp Loop Charge outboard. I purchased it with a Hydro electric controller. The problem is, the guy sold me the controller in part. I noticed the controller has a bad neutral switch, and after reading several threads I see that I won't be replacing the switch. So-- What wires are the wires for Neutral, forward and reverse. What are the wires for the choke? Also can I buy a new key ignitiion switch for this? The engine has a yellow connector on it.

Thank You in advance

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: 74 Johson Hydro Electric Control

Actually the Neutral switch might be good. The gearcase defaults to Forward. It'll be in forward anytime the motor isn't running or anytime there is an electrical fault. 12v+ to the Green wire is Neutral and 12v+ to both Green and Blue is Reverse. Choke is Purple/White. Click on the Marine Store tab on the upper left of this page. Enter Outboard Ignition Switch in the search box. I'd suggest a Push to Choke switch with the short shank. There are a few. Your control probably has a toggle for Choke. It's a bit of a feat to hold the toggle and twist the key at the same time with one hand. The choke in the key switch makes it so much easier. You can eliminate or keep the toggle.

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: 74 Johson Hydro Electric Control

The 1974 50hp model has a mechanical shift lower unit. What is the model number of your engine?

 

[F_R]

Re: 74 Johson Hydro Electric Control

Exactly. As Joe says, A Hydro-Electric control is incompatible with a '74 50hp. If you do have the correct mechanical shift control, the neutral switch is not hard to replace. To ignore it would be to compromise safety.

But first we have to figure out what you have, motor and control

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: 74 Johson Hydro Electric Control

It has a yellow plug. It's a Hydroelecric alright, with CD ignition. Just not a 74. Black plugs are Hydroelectic with amplified battery ignition. Red plugs are mechanical shift with CD ignition.

 

[vintageglastron]

Re: 74 Johson Hydro Electric Control

Thank you to all that replied.

 

[hurricanetowing]

Re: 74 Johson Hydro Electric Control

Hey if you guys are still discussing this I could use some help also. I have a 73 glaspar with a the 50HP loop charge johnson outboard. Was told its a 73 and it does have the yellow connection plug. I am having the same problem, with the neutral switch getting stuck and so forth, everything inside of the controller is corroded, so I figure I am just gonna have to replace the whole thing. Does anyone know of a newer controller or any controller that will plug right into the yellow controller? Also, does anyone know where to buy neutral switches, mines frozen!! any help would be great, you can get me at hurricanetowing@yahoo.com

 

[GlasV162]

Re: 74 Johson Hydro Electric Control

Check the model # on your motor; anything 1973 and later should be mechanical shift; '72 and earlier is electric. If your model # is something like 50ESL72, you have a '72 with electric shift.