johnson hydroelectric shift

boeingfo

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Aug 15, 2005
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I have a 1971 60 hp johnson outboard with hydro electric shift. the switch inside has gone bad an was wondering if anyone knew how to bypass an wire it with an off on on toggle switch. it has a purple, green , blue wires from the switch. anyone who can tell me simply how to wire it or how to straight wire the switch to bypass it i would appreciate it.
 

rodbolt

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Sep 1, 2003
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Re: johnson hydroelectric shift

I could not tell you how to wire it to a push pull switch like is used to control bow and stern lights. all the way in no circuits. first click out circuit one (N) 2nd click out on circuit 1 and 2 (R). it will have no start in gear protection when switched this way. for fwd apply O V to the blue and green, netural applyt 12v to the green and rev 12v to the blue and the green. the purple wire is key on 12v+.but it may be best to hunt up a switch. Joe Reeves may be able to help ya. I have been out of them for some time.
 

Joe Reeves

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Feb 24, 2002
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Re: johnson hydroelectric shift

Rodbolt... I haven't had one of the factory switches in quite a while.

However, I can help with the toggle setup but of course that route can be dangerous (extremely dangerous), as follows.

(Toggle Shift Switch Setup For The Hydro Electric Shift Unit)
(J. Reeves)

Due to the unavailability of the "Push Button" (Evinrude) or "Toggle Type" (Johnson) shift switch that is required for the "Hydro Electric Shift" type lower units that existed between 1968 and 1972, many boaters have asked how they could rig up a toggle switch to perform this shifting function. There may be much better solutions but the following is what I have come up with.

One must keep in mind that wiring a toggle switch in such a manner allows one to accidently shift from forward to reverse at full throttle. This could and probably has resulted in injuries to boaters, not to mention the mechanical damage. Should this or any other problems arise/occur, I am in no way to be held responsible for the toggle switch to shift switch replacement mentioned here.

For the above reason, I strongly suggest that the toggle switch have a hinged hard case cover installed over it so that the toggle can never be thrown/toggled accidentally.

Now, with a single pole double throw toggle switch installed so the the "Green" wire connection is facing up or away from you, make the following connections to the terminals on the back of the toggle switch.

......O --- Green Wire

......O --- 12 volt Supply

......O --- Blue 6Wire

Now, between the Green wire and Blue wire terminal on the toggle switch, connect a diode capable of handling 12 volts (available at Radio Shack etc). Be sure to install the diode so that the voltage will travel from the Blue wire connection to the Green wire connection only...... and not vice versa!

Now, if you have installed the switch as above, with the toggle pulled all the way back (towards yourself), contact will be made between the 12v supply and the Green connection. This puts the unit in Neutral. The diode prevents any voltage from gaining access to the Blue connection.

Pushing the toggle lever to the middle position results in no voltage being supplied to either wire. This results in the spring loaded clutch shifter dog in the lower unit throwing the unit into forward gear.

Pushing the toggle switch lever all the way to the front position will have the center 12 volt supply connected to the Blue wire connection, and due to the diode, that 12 volt supply will also be supplied to the Green wire. This results in having the unit in reverse gear.
 
Last edited:

alden135

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Sep 1, 2004
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1,770
Re: johnson hydroelectric shift

boeingfo, First off, I do not know better than Rodbolt or Joe Reeves. I'm only curious if you have tested the system to be sure it's the switch and not something else (frayed wire in mid section, shift coil, wrong oil, etc.) Joe Reeves has a great post on troubleshooting those systems if you do a search for it with the red search button. If your sure it's the switch, they do come up on ebay. I have bought 3 there.(one was a brand new set of controls).
 

TMAC15

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Jun 8, 2007
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Re: johnson hydroelectric shift

Is there any way i could get a more detailed or a step by step to wiring this switch.......i am going to install a switch but i want to make sure that the wiring is correct
 

F_R

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Jul 7, 2006
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28,226
Re: johnson hydroelectric shift

Because of the danger, I am flat out telling you not to do this. I repeat, Don't do this. But if you insist, you acept all responsibility and this is how to do it with a DPDT toggle switch. This is how I rigged my test tank. No diode required:
 

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Joe Reeves

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Feb 24, 2002
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Re: johnson hydroelectric shift

Tmac..... I just came back to this thread to find that my previous post was somehow whacked. I edited it to keep it simple. JUst be advised that using anything other than the factory switch does present a danger area.
 

TMAC15

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Jun 8, 2007
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Re: johnson hydroelectric shift

Right now im looking for a switch to replace the old one, but if i can not find one i'm going to try this. I understand the danger involved, but i cant afford a new control box, and if i can't find a new switch or one that works then this is the best option. Thank you for your help.
 

PJ-Hunter

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May 29, 2011
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Re: johnson hydroelectric shift

What is BAJ? Is that another wire to be connected?
 

boobie

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Nov 5, 2009
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Re: johnson hydroelectric shift

This thread is 4 years old. You should start a new one. Read the rules at the top of the forum.
 

JoshTroski

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Jul 5, 2012
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Re: johnson hydroelectric shift

Because of the danger, I am flat out telling you not to do this. I repeat, Don't do this. But if you insist, you acept all responsibility and this is how to do it with a DPDT toggle switch. This is how I rigged my test tank. No diode required:

Ok, I'm new here and I know this thread is old but I have a 71 johnson hydro electric 100hp that is going forward in all gears so i wired a switch just like the picture here and still get the same thing. It was running great then we had a bad storm and this started. I know i have the right oil so that is not the problem. please help.
 

Joe Reeves

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Feb 24, 2002
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Re: johnson hydroelectric shift

Josh... Yes, this post is about 7 years old and includes more than one members problems.

Go back to the previous page, click on the "Post New Thread" link near the top left side of the page (1 click down) and enter your post which will be listed under your personal title at the very top of the page. As it stands right now, your problem is pretty well buried.
 
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