1991 Johnson 150 no juice to switch

[Fishin Blues]

I have a 91 Johnson 150, I just bought in put onto my boat. It came with all the controls and VRO tank steering and everything, I had to go buy a new ignition switch as it didn't have a key for the binnacle controls I got it all hooked up, and had the motor running. Shut everything done closed it up and now nothing. No Trim and Tilt and no cranking over. Warning buzzer doesn't even chirp when I turn the key. I have checked all my connections, battery is on the charger, I have power to the starter but nothing is working.

Any clues as to what it might be?

 

[tlewis1]

Did you check the fuse under the cowl or do you have some at the helm? Do you have 12v to the key switch?

 

[Fishin Blues]

Yes I actually changed the fuse before starting the motor, and it still good now. As far as the key switch I am getting nothing to it or the trim tilt button.

 

[oldboat1]

I would start with the main battery cables (no crunching when you bend them, and ends shiny -- sandpaper them.)

 

[Fishin Blues]

Yeah I did that when I hooked everything up. Then checked everything again as well. I am confused why I am not getting power back to the ignition switch. I should be in thinking that there should be power, correct?

 

[oldboat1]

reversed polarity, by any chance?

 

[Fishin Blues]

I took the wires off 1 by 1 when I changed the switch out, and like I said I had the motor running, used the trim and tilt button earlier with no problems. Motor started right up and ran fine. Then after I shut it off is when all of a sudden I had nothing. Everything else on the boat is working fine, just no response when I turn the key, or try to use the trim and tilt button.

 

[175se]

How about the safety start switch.

 

[Fishin Blues]

Where would that be located? It does have a lanyard cut off switch under the key which the lanyard is attached to it still.

 

[175se]

Im not used to working on binnacle controls, but off the ign. the yellow with red stripe wont allow it to start unless its nuteral.

 

[Fishin Blues]

The yellow with red stripe, by neutral you mean grounded correct?
Should I have power to the switch before I turn the key to start with?

I feel that I am missing power returning from the engine feeding to the switch to be able to start it. Like maybe a relay back at the engine but I didn't see anything as such, except for the trim and tilt relays. There is one 20 amp fuse next to the big red harness plug but that is good and I have power threw that fuse. I have taken a test light to the prongs on the big red plug and didn't come up with anything for power on either side of it. That group of wires is what feeds back to the switch from what I can tell.

 

[175se]

Solenoid has 4 wires 2 big lugs, 2 small, the small ones are black(ground) yellow/red, between the ign switch and solenoid is a contact switch which is open normally,but closed when not in gear to allow starting.

 

[tlewis1]

http://boatinfo.no/lib/library.html

The link above is to the manual you require look at the wiring schematic to your engine. Take your volt meter and start at the battery and see where you loose your 12V. You should have 12V from the battery to the solenoid through the fuse to the round plug harness and then up to the key switch.

 

[Fishin Blues]

Ok I don't have a multi meter, best with the test light I am getting power to the main lug from the positive battery cable. I tested the yellow/red wire coming off the bottom of the solenoid and get nothing. So is my solenoid no good, from what you are saying?

 

[oldboat1]

Check the solenoid ground.

[Edit -- not sure this is similar to yours, but shows a fuse between the starter solenoid and the T&T, if I read it right: http://maxrules.com/graphics/omc/wiring/1989_89_150_175_9A.jpg Has that been checked? (diagram is from up in the stickies, top of the forum)]

 

[Fishin Blues]

Well I want to say thank you to everyone who has offered opinions on to and what to look for. I found the problem by pure accident tonight. I was lucky enough to have left to key in the on position as I was checking and rechecking wires and power with the test light when I bumped some wires with my elbow and heard the warning buzzard. After my head snapped up with a Homer Simpson "huuuuh", I started feeling around a group of wires by the red plug of the harness to finally figure out it was the fuse holder. Apparently the wire was broken just inside the rubber portion of the plug of the fuse holder. Cut it off and replaced it with another fuse holder and everything is working again!!!!

Thank you again for your help as it eventually lead me to the right area to find the problem. Maybe next week now I can sea trail this boat for the first time and catch some fish too. Thank you!!!

 

[oldboat1]

Well done!

 

[175se]

The yellow/red has power when the key is in start pos.

 

[175se]

Post #13 will help, you can follow that diagram to isolate your issue.

 

[clemsonfor]

Post #13 will help, you can follow that diagram to isolate your issue.

He figured it out and posted an hour before you posted this