Big red plug - what years?

[metriccrescentwrench]

I'm parting out my '90 Johnson 200 because, in my estimation, it would cost more than it's worth to properly repair. When I can afford to start looking for a replacement engine one of the considerations is going to be what can I bolt on with the least amount of work, so obviously a Johnson or Evinrude with the "big red plug" would be easiest. I guess worst case is I get my hands on an engine, wait around for the factory manual to arrive, and figure out the wiring (it would be nice to avoid having to pull too many more wires between the engine and dash). Hopefully someone here can educate me a little bit (with the understanding that I'll be going with another V6, probably either a 175 or 200).


1. In the diagrams on shop2.evinrude.com it looks like they stopped using that plug after 1995, is that correct?

2. Can anyone tell me what differences there are in the engines after '95 (both carb and fuel injected), as far as wiring and controls? (It appears that for the carb engines the power packs etc. are still essentially the same so I'd guess the wiring isn't much different).

 

[Haffiman]

Re: Big red plug - what years?

The main differences in the two systems is the System Check possibilities. The newer alarm system (System Check) indicates in the instrument which alarm is set off, the old system indicates by different alarm signals. If getting a newer engine, you may get an adapter harness to make the new fit the old, but you will keep the alarm identifications in the old horn.

http://www.marineengine.com/parts/j...at+To+97+Engine&yid=34040&mid=34041&sid=39199

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: Big red plug - what years?

So the System Check came into being in 1996?

Is there simply a wire coming forward from the engine for each alarm condition, and that's annunciated on the instrument in addition to sounding the horn? Are the newer EFI engines the same?

thanks

 

[nphilbro]

Re: Big red plug - what years?

I more-or-less just did this in the past two days.

I think you'd be good all the way back to '78 depending on religious views on VRO. To the best of my knowledge it would be completely plug-n-play. Since I don't use the remote for anything other than throttle and shifting I had a few more things to do manually but it still wasn't that bad. I had to unplug-replug the TNT (3 wires in dash), unplug-replug (and mount the external solenoid), re-connect the the tach send wire to the yellow/gray terminal on the engine.

Granted, I went from a '80 140 to a '78 200 but I've been inside quite a few 1990 Johnnierudes from 70hp on up (but not the 200) and they are essentially the same motors.

By the way - my '78 took about 15 seconds to get running after 2 years of sitting on the bed of a pickup. Obviously I took all the precautions in "re-awakening an outboard" first but now it starts instantly so long as there's fresh fuel in the carb. I've got a rant to its praises in the "props" forum.

I personally wouldn't be afraid to look at older motors. Or, you could get a nice looking "only used once after rebuild" (which is the only way they come - unless it's a parts motor) later model Ficht with platinum level tow coverage to get you back to the dock when you're done fishing each day. Mine was cosmetically as pretty as a Mississippi smile (a bit gnarly) due to a really bad paint job but I've already started to remedy that since I like my motors to look really good.


This is what it looked like when I brought it home. I'll post a current pick if my boat doesn't need to be resurrected from the bottom of the lake after today's rainstorm.