1970 60HP Johnson blowing main fuse

[needwarmth]

I have a 1970, 60 hp Johnson outboard that blows the 20 amp main fuse after running for a couple of minutes. Initially found the red wire on the rectifier was cooked and broken. Fixed that and seemed to be fine for a day - tach now works after not working before. Then more blown fuses. Switched the "stacked" order of wires on the ignition switch terminal and seemed to extend the time before blowing a fuse again. Seems odd to have to hook up 4 wires to the one terminal on the starter switch....Also noticed some smoke from the hydro elec. box. Is this a bad ignition switch? Any troubleshooting ideas would be VERY appreciated. Would a higher amp fuse (25?) make any difference?

 

[DJ]

Re: 1970 60HP Johnson blowing main fuse

I higher amp fuse will just let more smoke out of parts that you don't want to.

You, most likely, have a bad ground somewhere. I would start at the negative battery terminal where it attaches to the engine block.

 

[boobie]

Re: 1970 60HP Johnson blowing main fuse

Or some wrong wires that are making contact that shouldn't be. Anything is possible on a 1970 mtr. Wires deteriate over the years.

 

[dew2]

Re: 1970 60HP Johnson blowing main fuse

Get yourself multiple pieces of shrink tube and go through ALL the wires. any cracks,barespots,any wire that looks iffy shrink tube it.