Re: 1969 Johnson 40, electric shift diode
CroBoat.... Your brilliant mechanic has given you the controls for a "Hydro Electric Shift" unit instead of the proper straight "Electramatic Shift" controls.<br /><br />When the ignition key is turned to the off position on the "Hydro Shift" unit, 12v is applied to the neutral shift solenoid through that shifting diode in order to keep the unit in neutral via the charging circuit until the engine stops turning. Since the default on the Hydro units is to be in forward gear when no voltage is applied, if this diode wasn't there, the engine/boat would lurch forward the instant the key was turned to the off position.<br /><br />Your engine (Straight Electric Shift) does not require this function.<br /><br />If you are to keep that set of controls, disconnect that wire and discard it and the diode. Tape it out of the way somewhere.<br /><br />Also, you cannot use that shift switch as it is not wired internally properly. You will need to exchange it for the straight electric type shift.<br /><br />--------------<br /><br />The Hydro shift switch wiring is as follows:<br /><br />Forward = No Voltage to either wire.<br /><br />Reverse = Voltage to Green and Blue shift wires.<br /><br />Neutral = Voltage to Green shift wire.<br /><br />---------------<br /><br />The Electramatic shift switch wiring is as follows:<br /><br />Forward = 12v voltage applied to Green wire.<br /><br />Reverse = 12v voltage applied to Blue wire.<br /><br />Neutral = No voltage applied to either wire.<br /><br />Curious.... Just how does a mechanic lose a complete set of controls???