1971 60 hp choke issue

[RyanSParrish]

So thanks to his very forum, I've brought back my 60 hp back to life (model 60ESL71E). Everything works perfectly except the choke on the toggle . I hit the toggle, the choke fully closes like its supposed to, but the instant I hit the key to start it, they open up again. Ive just had to manual choke it and all is well, but I would like this feature to work properly. Any help would be appreciated!

 

[gm280]

:welcome: RyanSParrish to iboats...

Let me see if I have this correct. You have the electric choke circuit on a toggle switch. And you flip that switch and the choke closes. And then when you turn the ignition key to start the engine, the choke comes off again even with the toggle switch still flipped for the choke? Is that all correct? If so, seem you have something in the key ignition switch that opens the choke circuit and that is why the choke comes off. Can you reflip the toggle switch and have it close again?

 

[F_R]

The original ignition switch on that motor had a stack of purple wires on the IGN terminal. One of them fed the ignition circuit. So since it runs, the ignition circuit is getting voltage, which means the key switch is ok. Now, why it is acting as it is, is a mystery. I'd start by checking that screw holding that stack of purple wires. Maybe it is loose. You can also check to see if it is getting voltage to the choke wires at the terminal strip on the motor. There are two choke wires, purple/white stripe and purple/yellow stripe. Both should show voltage while cranking with toggle held. And all this brings up another point. There was a factory service bulletin telling dealers to rewire that choke system. Maybe somebody did it wrong ????/

 

[RyanSParrish]

Yeah, its factory choke toggle on the Hydra- electric forward controller. I was thinking I could just re wire the choke circuit to the back of the toggle to a constant or switched +12v separate from the ignition switch power supply, any thoughts?

 

[RyanSParrish]

As far as the bulletin, I read that and both purple/yellow and purple/white are attached to the purple/white terminal

 

[F_R]

Of course your plan would work. But that doesn't explain why it doesn't work while wired to the key switch. If the choke doesn't work on the ignition terminal, then I would fear that the ignition is doomed to not work either, since they are on a common terminal on the back of the switch. Or maybe they aren't on a common terminal as expected. It may not be the original key switch. Check it out.

 

[RyanSParrish]

That is the strange thing, everything that should work when the key is on does, and the boat has no issues starting. And even the charging system works good. I don't know if the ignition switch is original, me nor anyone in my family has ever had to open the controller case to fix anything in the 18 years the boat has been in my family. How would you suggest the easiest way to rewire it? I'm okay at electrical, but I trust others information over my own. Thanks!

 

[F_R]

Well if you propose to do it without running extra wires, you will have to open the control box. I you are going to do that, you might as well fix it. Otherwise, you will have to install a separate choke switch and pick up a hot wire somewhere for one side of the new choke switch and run another wire from the other side of the new choke switch, all the way back to the engine.

 

[RyanSParrish]

I agree fixing it will be the best thing since I'll be in the box already, I'll test my IGN switch first just to make sure I don't make any unnecessary repairs

 

[RyanSParrish]

What's the best way to clean the outboard.. Like the way you would a car engine?

 

[RyanSParrish]

Took the controller box apart today, tested the IGN switch for the choke circuit. Tested good, but couldn't explain why it was acting up, I just moved the lead to a terminal that gets +12v when they key is on, works fine now when I hold the switch and hit the key, it did look like someone had been in there before a long time ago, but according to my wiring diagram, every wire was where it should be, so as mysterious as the origin of my problem was, its fixed now.