Safety Switch no clicky!

[airwarrior]

After going back over everything I have done, and looked at etc.... I got to reading about the throttle cables etc... the only thing I had not checked out was the Safety Switch. I pulled the wire off to make sure it was making good contact, but that was it. So I played with it some and tried to do the adjustment as per the manual, but it is supposed to make a noise, and it isn't! Ah...hah! I said! Feeling like I found something important wrong...
I know this switch, keeps you from starting in gear, but can you pull the wire in an emergency or something and the boat will start?? I hope I can get a new one.....bet that will be another thirty bucks! :devil:

 

[Walker]

Re: Safety Switch no clicky!

Safety switch or Neutral switch?? They are different. They both can be tested with an ohm meter.
Is your neutral switch on the linkage on the motor. Put her in neutral, make sure the activator and the switch are aligned and test the switch with an ohm meter.

 

[airwarrior]

Re: Safety Switch no clicky!

ummm.... this is the switch on the starboard side of the motor, it has one wire going to it, and the Johnson Service Manual calls it a "Safety Switch" (85ESL73), and describes it's operation: "The motor can be started at low throttle in neutral ONLY". "A click can be heard when the switch closes." I don't hear a click. They also say to use a continuity light, but a meter should work too.

Anyway, since I have a Morse T2 control, I don't think there is a switch in it.... so I guess this switch does that as well? Maybe back in 73 they didn't want to call it a Neutral Safety Switch, but it sure sounds like that is what it does to me!

 

[Walker]

Re: Safety Switch no clicky!

My terminology is probably wrong. I call the "Safety Switch" the one that you hook a lanyard clip to and if you get thrown out of the boat the lanyard pulls the clip and kills the motor.
Neutral safety switch is probably the correct terminologey for your switch.
What problem are you having with it. It either works or it doesn't. It is in the switch-to-solenoid system and if your starter works when you turn the key the switch is working.

 

[airwarrior]

Re: Safety Switch no clicky!

Thanks Walker! When I turn the ignition switch it cranks just fine. This is an old boat, they weren't worried about you getting run over when you get thrown :devil: No lanyard..... guess ya gotta duck heh heh

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Safety Switch no clicky!

If you're talking about the little switch behind the throttle lever, there was a bulletin out many moons ago to eliminate it. Discard the switch and ground out the wire.

That switch was for throttle position. They didn't want you to give it too much throttle and then they found out that wasn't necessary. All it does is take the starter solenoid out of the circuit if you advance the throttle too much. It has nothing to do with spark. If the stsrter is spinning the flywheel, the switch is working. I'd take it out anyway.