What's this thing do? :)

A

aimless rambler

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Jun 20, 2013
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I recently purchased a nice little 16' Kona with a 1972 Chrysler 120 (1207HD) outboard motor for a good price. I've performed the various checks and tune up maintenance as prescribed in this forum and she does well in the driveway (ha). I've put 'er in for a dip to much less success but think I've got the problem figured out. Alas my question, at some point during my tinkering I've shot my ignition switch. I can jump start the engine from the solenoid with key in "on" position, the choke mechanism is still operative (push in key), as well as the key still shuts down the engine. From reading previous posts I've narrowed the problem down to either the ignition switch or neutral safety switch. Tracing the wiring back from the ignition to the engine I found this doohickey (see pic). I suspect it may be what I'm after but thought I'd ask here first. Awaiting service manual delivery and no luck searching various sites, other than finding a schematic for a newer motor which hints that it may be a capacitor of some sort. No power trim here though. Any ideas? 20130707_231632.jpg
 
A

aimless rambler

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Re: What's this thing do? :)

Thanks, definitely looks like a breaker for something ha. If it helps ... it's attached to the solenoid from the bottom lead with two other leads coming from the top attached to the battery pole on the terminal block with the second connected to the magneto I assume (goes under the flywheel). When time permits I'll go through and clean contacts, the initial problem with ignition switch was intermittent at first.
 
W

wickware

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Jun 20, 2009
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1,286
Re: What's this thing do? :)

Spraying TV Tuner Cleaner into my ill switch has solved its problem. I feel sitting tarped basically 8-9 months a year is causing moisture and corroded contacts in the switch. As your experience, all worked except the cranking but I could jump start it. I feel w/o looking the Cleaner cleans coats the contacts.

I feel it w/n have started period w/o jumping the neutral switch if it was bad,
 
Frank Acampora

Frank Acampora

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Jan 19, 2007
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12,004
Re: What's this thing do? :)

It is the "tin Can" self resetting circuit breaker. If a short pops it, you must wait for it to cool and reset. While it is open, there will be NO power to the ignition switch.
 
A

aimless rambler

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Re: What's this thing do? :)

I had a few minutes before work so I bypassed the circuit (put all on one pole - bat.) in the picture to see if the ignition switch would do anything, no gas hooked up, and just to test switch. Nothing doing, so I'll stop on way to my aeroplane fixin' job to buy a can of contact cleaner and commence to cleaning after work.

No worries about my acft mechanical abilities, continue to fly at ease (ha). I'm much better at it than boats plus the budget, tech data and parts supply is more readily available. :eek:
 
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A

aimless rambler

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Joined
Jun 20, 2013
Messages
8
Re: What's this thing do? :)

Update: After removing the ignition switch, cleaning contacts and testing the wiring it still was inoperative BUT I found the problem and it had absolutely nothing to do with the ignition switch (ha). The interlock switch on my distributor had a stud missing which when the cam rotated it just moved the entire switch up as well, as opposed to depressing the button. I failed to notice that particular item while working in the dark via work lamp. After tightening and adjusting cam to jibe with interlock switch (so named by schematic, equates to neutral safety) she starts up like a champ. Doah! :lol:
 
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