1988 Johnson 88spl OMC control

[OohRah's Maddybug II]

On my last river venture the side mount control on my boat began to stink. Investigation finds that the warning horn inside the control burned up/melted. I disconnected it and taped off the wires. I have been having motor ignition/idle/running issues. Theses should be unrelated correct? A disconnected warning horn should not keep motor from starting?

 

[Schtoopid]

I'd be worried that the alarm horn firing is what caused it to melt.
Is your mixture good? has it got a inline oiler?

 

[OohRah's Maddybug II]

I wondered about the horn melt. Fuel mix is good. Sparkplugs get soaking wet/oily. Not sure about or what is an in line oiler

 

[jakedaawg]

Did you over heat? Thats what the alarm tells you on an 88.

Compression test, spark check, temp check, replace that horn asap

 

[OohRah's Maddybug II]

It didn't overheat, just ran like crap fouling the plugs... ongoing saga. But perhaps at some point it has overheated. Time to find someone to do compression test. Thanks!

 

[Hennysemitara]

It didn't overheat, just ran like crap fouling the plugs... ongoing saga. But perhaps at some point it has overheated. Time to find someone to do compression test. Thanks!

you can do a compression test by yourself very easy, just order a tester.