76 johnson 200 starting problems please help

[sully9]

Hello everyone and merry christmas! I have a 76 johnson 200 and am having problems starting it. I have ran it before it is a total restore project it seemed to be when I was taking the instrament pannel off is when it maybe happened there is a safety switch on there that is not hooked up what bdoes it go to and could this be my problem? Thanks and merry christmas again to everyone

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: 76 johnson 200 starting problems please help

If you're speaking of a safety switch that is inside the control box.... that is a "Neutral Safety Switch" that when connected and adjusted properly makes contact ONLY when the engine is shifted into the NEUTRAL position which allows the engine to be cranked over with the electric starter.

When in either gear, that switch is not engaged and therefore the electric starter cannot be engaged. This is a safety feature to prevent starting the engine when in gear at various throttle settings.

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: 76 johnson 200 starting problems please help

What is it doing when you say it "won't start?" Does the engine turn over? Does it fire but not catch, or is the engine dead and won't do anything when the key is turned to start? Any chance you have blown the 20 amp fuse on the side of the engine?

 

[sully9]

Re: 76 johnson 200 starting problems please help

Thank you Joe and emdsapmgr for helping me out! emdsapmgr when I turn the key it wont do anything I checked the fuse and it was ok I did notice that the neutral safety switch in the control box. it looks pretty old but the engine isnt brand new either how excactly does it function or how do you tell if it has gone bad? The switch that I was talking about is a safety switch that is up by the gauges on the panel I looked online and its a emergancy safety switch that has a lanyard you hook to you or something I was just wondering what it needs to be hooked up to (the control box, or to the battery somewhere or ???) Thank you for the info

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: 76 johnson 200 starting problems please help

The switch within the control box pertains to the electric starter as I mentioned previously.

The switch that has a lanyard is a "kill switch" that knocks out the ignition when the lanyard is yanked off..... attached to you, you fall out of the boat, the engine stops and doesn't run over you after circling a few times.

With the lanyard attached, the ignition is in effect.

With the lanyard NOT attached, the ignition is shorted out.

Kill circuit is: Black wire from powerhead ground to powerpack(s).
Black/Yellow wire from powerpack(s) to raised "M" terminals of ignition switch, then to one side of the "Kill Switch".
Black wire from other normal "M" terminal of ignition switch to ground.
Black wire from other side of "Kill Switch" to ground.

 

[sully9]

Re: 76 johnson 200 starting problems please help

Thanks joe im hoping its either the emergency safety switch or the neutral safety switch that has gone bad is there a way I can test them to make sure its no good before I buy new ones? Thanks for the help!

 

[will62]

Re: 76 johnson 200 starting problems please help

Since your problem started after you took off the instrument panel, your answer is probably in Joe's response above. Until he gets back to you, I'm going to add a couple of photos that may help.

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: 76 johnson 200 starting problems please help

There is no such thing as an Emergency Safety Switch. There is a Kill Switch and a Neutral Safety Switch. Best to call them by their proper names to avoid confusion.

The Kill Switch has nothing to do with the electric starter not functioning. If you turn the key and nothing happens (electric starter doesn't engage), try loosening the two screws that retain the neutral safety switch and moving it in closer to the detent.

 

[sully9]

Re: 76 johnson 200 starting problems please help

thanks for the reply joe in my manual it says its a emergency ignition cut-off switch if that makes anymore sense. this is my first boat and Im trying to do the work myself along with my cousin and brother helping out to avoid spending $90 a hr shop rate at the boat shop since its an older bass boat project so please bare with me im all ready learning alot more than I knew before so its good and thanks for the help. anyhow my question is with the kill switch could I bypass it or would it not complete the electrical circut? and with the neutral safety switch can I bypass it also or am I going to have to buy a new one?

thanks for the info and thanks will for the pictures