Johnson Help 150 Faststrike

[kyleh374]

While fishing today (tourney), running down the lake, buzzer beeped and led's sequenced like it normally would do when you first turn the ignition key. It did this over and over. Eventually we stopped and fished. Everything worked except when ready to move, ignition was totally dead, as well as ALL tilt and trim switches (3). Everything else electrical worked.(live wells, graphs etc) Got towed to ramp by friend. (Fished near ramp, without sucess) Loaded boat. Took cover off cowling. Checked fuse in motor. Fuse O.K. Guy walks up, asks whats wrong. Without mentioning the starting problem, we tell him we need to tilt motor, to trailer boat home. He reaches behind cowling tilt/trim switch and wiggles wires while pressing tilt. Tilt works. I go check ignition switch while he does this. It now worked. Moral of story...Tilt switch stranded entire big motor. Why? Common ground? Obviously entire ignition system runs through, or is dependent on this tilt/trim connection. Anyone have any explanation or similar experience. I will look at the switch tomorrow in the daylight to see if something is loose or switch needs replacement. 1996 150 Johnson Faststrke. Thanks Kyle (Moaning about missing last 3 hours of tourney fishing and no check by 1.5 lbs)


Modified by kyleh374 at 8:18 PM 11/4/2007

[Sportwin]

The trim & tilt switch and the ignition keyswitch have a red/purple stripe wire in common. The color indicates "fused battery positive or B+". The wire should have voltage at all times when the engine cables are connected to the battery but the circuit is protected by a fuse.

Your report that the system check gauge kept "rechecking" indicates that the red purple wire was intermittently losing and then regaining voltage.
Find the loose or dirty connection and you will have resolved your problem.

The main battery positive cable connects to the starter solenoid. A couple of smaller red wires are also connected there. One of the smaller red wires is connected to a fuse. The wire leaving the fuse is red/purple and goes to the lower motor cover pan t&t switch and also to the "B" terminal on the keyswitch.

A factory service manual has a color wiring diagram that would be very beneficial if you plan to do much electrical troubleshooting yourself. Should be an easy fix.

If you are unable to track it down, go see Wes Bond @ Bonds Boats & Motors or Ralph @ Athens Marine.

[kyleh374]

You are correct on all your information provided. The culprit turned out to be a slightly loose connection of the positive cable at the motor (that came directly from the battery). When the guy who helped me at the ramp put his hand behind the trim switch, he was also unknowingly slightly moving this positive cable. This connection was under a protective rubber boot. A check of (cleaning wasn't needed) all terminals, and a good tightening solved it all this time. Thanks for the response. Hopefully this information will prove helpful to someone else in the future. Kyle

[Bassmeister]

Sportwin!!!

[THE WITCHDOCTOR]

VERY GOOD INFO.....

[ChampioNman]

Dat's why he does what he does .