Johnson 70 hp motor part -- What is it?

[cpowell]

I tried to upload a photo but I guess it was too big so I had to go a different route.
On this Johnson 70 hp there is a part that is just hanging from the (?) throttle linkage (?). It just seems to be hanging there. It looks like a long metal barrel with a neck that has a spring around it. This thing is wired to something else. When jiggled up and down it will move the linkage. There are no threads inside for it to connect to something else.
Do you know what it is or what it's for?
The engine runs really great at wot. There is very little middle ground in the throttle though. It is either hauling or just going pucka pucka. By that I mean either 30+ mph or 5-10 mph.
I have looked in the manual and don't see anything like this in any of the pictures or diagrams.
Back to the beginning...go here to see a photo of the unknown part.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/the-only-lone-ranger/687735015/

 

[Walker]

Re: Johnson 70 hp motor part -- What is it?

That's the plunger for your choke solenoid. It goes in the hole in that gold cylinder with the black spray on it in your photo.

 

[cpowell]

Re: Johnson 70 hp motor part -- What is it?

Is it supposed to just slip in or is there something that holds it in?

 

[cpowell]

Re: Johnson 70 hp motor part -- What is it?

I just went down and poked it back in and made sure that it cleared everything. Looks like it will work alright. Maybe that's why I could never hear a click when I tried to choke it. I thought I was just going deaf. Well, that's what the voices in my head told me anyway...ha ha
Thanks for the help. It's really appreciated.

 

[cpowell]

Re: Johnson 70 hp motor part -- What is it?

we took it out this evening and it wouldnt run worth diddly. Really boggy, started alright but when I gave it gas it just bogged down and would hardly move. I quickly thought back on what had changed, remembered the plunger, killed the engine, popped the top and unplunged the choke. It started up and ran like gangbusters.
I guess it was out for a reason. I guess it needs a new choke before winter...

 

[Walker]

Re: Johnson 70 hp motor part -- What is it?

Is the choke solenoid energizaed all the time? If so then your problem is in the choke switch. It shouldn't hold the choke closed unless you hit the choke switch.

 

[cpowell]

Re: Johnson 70 hp motor part -- What is it?

I haven't checked that specifically but from the way it acted I have to suppose it is. I did remember to check the choke before we started out but I didn't hear a click so I just guessed that it wasn't working or that maybe I just couldn't hear it.
I have found a few other minor things that needed fixing in the wiring and such but I hadn't thought about that being a problem too.
What are you thinking? Bigger problem that I had thought?

 

[cpowell]

Re: Johnson 70 hp motor part -- What is it?

Just a note to thank everyone who replied. The boat runs great and I will replace that choke when it gets cooler but right now I'm having too much fun boating and fishing! WooHoo!