electrical issue...blowing fuses

[Scott Chinsota]

was running fine. not great, not bad. but I knew the timing needed set. I used a timing light to set to spec at wot. this was done with throttle cable disconnected and both plug wires grounded. advance tied to stop and switch wedged to allow cranking. switch being the wont engage starter when past "start" on throttle lever. so, timing set @19 deg at WOT,
I held the throttle (linkage) at wide open position and adjusted control lever to approx WOT, then adjusted trunnion on engine end of throttle cable. this was just to get it close, not an attempt at proper adjustment. now i just keep blowing fuses. I didn't do anything to fry anything. I am baffeled. anyone have any ideas?
Thanks, Scott

btw...1971 50 hp 501173s evinrude lark with pushbutton remote.

 

[Scott Chinsota]

Re: electrical issue...blowing fuses

been reading and researching and thinking. maybe i damaged the throttle advance cutout switch (doubt it).
maybe i damaged timer base wiring when i set it to proper setting and cable tied it against the stop. (possibly)
the switch is and the timer arm are the only two things that move when i advance the throttle lever.
the 20 amp fuse only blows when the throttle lever is pulled back to minimum.
when throttle lever is advanced to start position, starter cranks engine...no blown fuse.
multi-meter is gonna get a workout. hope i don't have to pull the flywheel just to inspect the wiring.
could i have blown a diode? the 20 amp fuse leads to the ground strap bolt.
it's a CDI ignition system with a 6 amp stator and from what i've read, no voltage regulator.
I will test the rectifier and the clipper circuit while i'm trouble shooting.
thats all the info i have except that the issue seems to defy logic.
If anyone has any suggestions...please chime in and
Thanks,
Scott

 

[Scott Chinsota]

Re: electrical issue...blowing fuses

[h=2]

Re: 72 Johnson 50 No spark DOA![/h]

OK, after lots of trouble shooting and help from members here I found the culprit. The safety switch that does not let the motor start mounted on the side of the motor that detects if the throttle position is in neutral failed. This switch in my case was gunk ed up and the spring was shot. It was stuck in a near on/off position. When I went to jump the solenoid with a remote starter switch it let out a little plume of smoke. I removed the white wire that runs from the solenoid to the safety switch and ran it to ground and the motor started and produced spark all day long today. I removed the switch and found the contact to be stuck and opened it up and found scorch marks where the internal contact was barely being made. The spring was fatigued and had no ability to fully push the contact back out when the cutout in the throttle plate was in front of it representing neutral. I have a new switch on order and can operate the motor now with the switch wire to ground (but not too safe as it could start with the throttle advance in gear).

Thanks to everyone, especially FillupD for all the help troubleshooting this gremlin. If you have one of these motors you might want to check this switch and if you do get stuck you can just remove the connector and touch it to ground to test or work around.

Steve Lund 14' Johnson 50hp 1972 Anniv Ed


So...I search the forum...low and behold, sounds familiar. think the thread is 4 years old. I think i may have an answer. would still love some advice cuz this guys issue didn't involve blowing fuses.​

 

[Scott Chinsota]

Re: electrical issue...blowing fuses

C'mon guys. someone has to have seen this before. diodes? that's my best guess. that's where I'll start testing...tomorrow.

 

[Scott Chinsota]

Re: electrical issue...blowing fuses

found the problem...shift solenoid. details are in my relic thread. good rule of thumb, start with the most common culprit.