NEW REMOTE CONTROL TO OLD MOTOR

phx5kegsman

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Apr 10, 2021
Messages
83
Hello, I have a 1978 Johnson 115hp Crossflow on an old Ranger Bass Boat. The remote that was on when I was given the boat turned out to have broken plastic piece rattling around inside the box. There was also no trim/tilt switch on the throttle/gear selector lever. There was, instead, a toggle switch mounted below the gunwale and in front of the remote box. A real PITA to operate. The switch also had wires going to a toggle switch located on a panel at the bow. Needless to say, this has been quite a challenge to wire everything up correctly. I bought an CDI adapter for the big red plug, which has been a headache because it has all of the system check connectors on it as well as the connector for the tilt/trim unit. The adapter is only 18" long so I had to cram all those connectors and wires under the motor cover....I wasn't paying attention to the length when I ordered it. I ended up ordering another CDI harness to get me from the motor to the remote control box ( this is getting expensive!) Sorry to ramble. back to my problem..
The power tilt/trim unit raises up quickly and smoothly from from the new switch on lever of remote. But, when I press down on the switch It lowers very slowly and the motor is nearly silent! I have the factory manual for this motor and followed the electrical troubleshooting instructions (I have the junction box w/ solenoid type). With my meter on the terminals in junction box as instructed in the manual. My meter is reading battery voltage when switch is UP, But when switch is pressed DOWN I am getting a reading of 3-4 Volts. Does this mean that the switch is bad in my brand new OMC remote control? Or could it be something else. Thanks in advance for any wisdom you might share
 

racerone

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 28, 2013
Messages
37,819
Any used control box with the big red plug would have worked on your 1978 model 115 HP.
 

phx5kegsman

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Apr 10, 2021
Messages
83
The only used remote controls that I could find (with working trim switch) cost as just as much, or more then the brand new OMC box that I bought. Yes, it is costing more in the long run, but I can't turn back now....Le$$on learned, lol!
Any thoughts as to why I have low voltage at the "Down" terminal in the Trim / Tilt junction box ?
 
Top