Neutral safety switch 1981 25 Johny

cvtech1

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 16, 2009
Messages
277
Two things, I have a 81 Johnson 25 that starts in gear, I see a off white switch that is hooked up to my gear shift but still starts in gear. 1) How to test and 2) where would I get another one if needed? I know this is dangerous so need to get fixed for this boating season. Posted this issue once before. Please help!
 

F_R

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jul 7, 2006
Messages
28,226
Re: Neutral safety switch 1981 25 Johny

I'll take a guess. The safety switch is bad so somebody bypassed it by grounding the wire going to it. Am I far off?

Anyway, there are two small terminals on the starter solenoid. The wire from the key switch goes to one of them. The other one is connected to the safety switch. So check to see if somebody has been monkeying with the wires.

Some tests: Disconncet the wire from the safety switch. Starter now should not work. If it does, check for grounding as I suggested.

With the wire disconnected, check the switch with a multimeter on ohms test or continuity test if it has one. Ground one meter lead and touch the other to the safety switch wire terminal. You should have continuity in neutral, but not in gear. If you have continuity in both, the switch is shorted internally or out of adjustment. See if you can get continuity / no continuity be pressing and releasing the button. If you can't, the switch is bad.

EDIT: Caution, if somebody has replaced the solenoid with the wrong kind, it will burn up safety switches as fast as you can put them in there.
 

cvtech1

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 16, 2009
Messages
277
Re: Neutral safety switch 1981 25 Johny

F R, thanks for the info I will get right on it. Any idea where to find a switch on this model?
 

cvtech1

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 16, 2009
Messages
277
Re: Neutral safety switch 1981 25 Johny

Thanks found the part. I will test my switch when the weather clears.
 
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