1989 Johnson GT 150 Power/Trim - No power to the switches

[Westley Wood]

Hello everyone. I have a 1989 Johnson GT 150 that I am restoring and have run into some issues with no power to power trim switches on the motor or throttle/gear shifter. There is a 30 amp fuse located near the starter that was blown. I replaced it. I have inspected the power trim relay box. I replaced both relays. I have full power coming to each relay, however have no power going to either switch. I have hooked power directly to the trim/tilt motor to test it. It works fine. I have cleaned each connection in the power trim relay box. All look good. Is there another fuse location that I'm missing? My next step was to clean the connections on the bus bar located on the right side of the engine. Any ideas of why I have power in the power trim box, but no power on either power/trim switch? Thanks in advance for the advice.

 

[Joe Reeves]

Are you saying that you've checked the PTT switch with a volt meter and there is actually No Voltage being applied to the RED wire at the PTT switches... OR... are you saying simply that the PTT switches do not cause the PTT to function?

If you have checked the voltage at the PTT switch... manually trace that red wire from the PTT switch back to it's origin.... usually the positive post of the battery, but it could lead elsewhere.

The fuse you speak of.... if that is a inline fuse in one of the smaller red wires leading from the starter solenoid, it should be a very short 20 ampere fuse. That would lead to the "B" (battery) terminal of the ignition switch.

 

[Westley Wood]

Hi Joe,
I have checked the PTT switch with a test light (positive wire), but no volt meter. I have no power at either PT switch, but do have power going into the power trim relay box. There must be another fuse that I am over looking.

 

[Joe Reeves]

Normally there is no fuse in the power supply line of the PTT unit. It counts on the inline 20 ampere power fuse near the starer solenoid blowing if the unit shorts out somehow. Your problem could easily be just a loose wire (voltage drop) or a tight but dirty connection that would also result in a voltage drop. Double check and clean the cable/wire end terminals and the components they connect to,, including the battery terminals.

 

[Westley Wood]

Hi Joe, followed your advice. Sanded every connection and replaced a few connectors. All works now. Additional question. How do I find the ignition key # for a Johnson Outboard? I had a Stratos boat in which the key # was stamped on the choke flange on the ignition key. I need a replacement key.

 

[Joe Reeves]

Hi Joe, followed your advice. Sanded every connection and replaced a few connectors. All works now. Additional question. How do I find the ignition key # for a Johnson Outboard? I had a Stratos boat in which the key # was stamped on the choke flange on the ignition key. I need a replacement key.

Unfortunately to my knowledge, that's the only place the number would be imprinted.... that is, on the switches that came with the engines and generally what has been available at dealerships and marine stores. From what I gather, you have an off brand ignition switch? If so, I'd assume there's a code on the switch somewhere, but if not... new switch coming up! Glad to hear that your PTT problem is solved.