1986 4 Winns Neutral safety switch location / test / replace?

[pooldog]

I recently bought a '86 4 Winns 190 Horizon with an OMC Cobra and a 305 5.0 L. This is my first boat and I am having trouble with it starting. I've taken it out a couple of times and it started great most of the time , however occasionally it would do nothing when I turned the key. After a few tries or waiting a minute it would eventually start normally and I didn't think much of it. The other day I was going to take it out and I figured I try to start it before driving an hour and a half to the lake and it would did nothing. The gauges work when I turn the key on but no starter noise at all when turned to start. I noticed the starter looked very old so I figured I would replace it and problem would be solved. Wrong! I have since tested the ignition switch and it worked fine. I then tested the Slave solenoid and only got power on one of the terminals. I believe its the A terminal. I had someone turn the key for me as I tested the C and B terminals but got nothing. Grounds seem to be fine so I assume its the Neutral Safety Switch. How can I test the safety switch? Where is it located? How do I replace it? Or could it be something else?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Pictures or helpful links would be great.

Thanks

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: 1986 4 Winns Neutral safety switch location / test / replace?

Howdy,

Welcome aboard!

The neutral safety switch is usually located in the throttle/shift unit. It's usually a simple (usually replaceable) microswitch, but it's inside the quadrant. I am not sure that you can replace that one though since the part might be an OEM OMC part. Most people would want to replace the entire throttle/shift assembly on a boat that old.

I replaced the one in my 1987 Four Winns Liberator with a Teleflex CH-1700

I also recommend NOT bypassing the switch for safety reasons (if you were thinking about do it)


Regards,


Rick

 

[anthonysjo]

Re: 1986 4 Winns Neutral safety switch location / test / replace?

As HT mentioned not recommended to run with bypassed switch but you can always verify by pulling the two wires off and completing the circuit. Other thing to consider is to wiggle the shifter and see if that helps. I have seen them stick and that can cause some issues too.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: 1986 4 Winns Neutral safety switch location / test / replace?

Depending on the shifter?? Pic? The OMC shifter? The parts are available at any OMC/BRP/Johnson/Everude dealer.
The aftermarket was made usually made by Teleflex.The switch is available from them.
Try WD or any spray lube and see if it unsticks?

 

[Lou C]

Re: 1986 4 Winns Neutral safety switch location / test / replace?

It can be the neutral switch but just to test it you have to pull control out of the side panel. Try jiggling the lever when you try to crank over the engine and see if it cranks. There is a sticky in the main section about troubleshooting your marine starting system that you should take a look at first before replacing parts.

Here is a link to Crowley Marine, a good place to get OE OMC parts, looks like the neutral safety switch is still available if what you have is the OE OMC control, part #38, 52 bucks (yikes!)....

OMC, Johnson & Evinrude - REMOTE CONTROL ASSEMBLY - CONCEALED SIDE MOUNT - 1986 OMC Stern Drive Accessories