1975 to 1990 OMC Wiring Harness Compatibility

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Author Topic:   1975 to 1990 OMC Wiring Harness Compatibility

getbozman posted 12-03-2008 09:22 AM ET (US)
Is the wiring harness coming from a 1990 Evinrude 100-HP compatable with the c.1975 Johnson harness coming from my console [which was used with an 85-HP]? The red [connector] looks the same on both engines.
A2J15Sport posted 12-03-2008 09:42 AM ET (US)
They should be the same as long as they have the "Big Red Plug", as you mentioned.
My Whaler had a 1975 50-HP in which I changed to a 1989 60-HP. I used the newer style 1989 control box for both.
The trim and tilt harness may be slightly different but the wiring is simple. Green=down. Blue=up. Red=Power (batt. positive).
Tohsgib posted 12-03-2008 10:54 AM ET (US)
Should be the same, not sure if I would feel confident in a 34 year old wiring harness when you can get a new one for $65 that includes the modern PTnT harness and even VRO. The main problem might be warning harn compatibility, etc.
A2J15Sport posted 12-03-2008 12:59 PM ET (US)
Agreed. That's why I went with the modern control box. I did not have a warning horn [concern]. The oil injection system alarm worked OK because I went forward, not backwards. Good point. For a minimal sum, you can get a modern harness.
pglein posted 12-03-2008 01:32 PM ET (US)
You shouldn't have a problem with the warning horn or anything like that unless you are changing over to a System Check harness or engine, in which case, the plugs would not be compatible. I believe that came out in c.1996.
This information is all available in the Reference section, and part numbers can be cross referenced on BRP's online parts catalog.
A2J15Sport posted 12-03-2008 03:28 PM ET (US)
pglein is correct, I could not remember if it was Model Year 1996 or [1997]. Thanks PG.
The oil injection circuit is an additional circuit. A new harness is available, pretty cheap. It's a worthwhile conversion.
pglein posted 12-03-2008 05:20 PM ET (US)
Yes, the conversion kit is available, but I'm not sure I'd say it's cheap. Three hundred something-or-other dollars for just the on-engine harness, VRO tank insert, and sensors. That doesn't include the new ignition key, remote harness, or the System Check gauge.
As discussed in another thread, it's worth every penny in terms of what you physically get, but you don't gain a whole lot of functionality. That is, if your harness needs to be replaced anyway, it makes sense to upgrade. But if your harness, including all your sensors, switches, and buzzers, is in good shape, it's a lot of money to spend for just a couple warning lights. Most of what the System Check gauge tells you is already reported by audible tones on the older system.
I have opted against it on my boat for the time being. I have other things I want to spend money on first.
jimh posted 12-03-2008 09:41 PM ET (US)
I am not an expert, but it seems like that big red connector had a long run with OMC motors and their electrical harnesses. I don't think it was dropped until the c.1996 epoch when the System Check became the standard.
For a long and information filled discussion on the System Check upgrade kit, see:
http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/015190.html
seahorse posted 12-04-2008 10:36 PM ET (US)
The red connector was used from 1973 thru 1995 until the MWS style cable with 3 connectors along with the SystemCheck warning lights came out in 1996 and still in use today.

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Author	Topic: 1975 to 1990 OMC Wiring Harness Compatibility
getbozman	posted 12-03-2008 09:22 AM ET (US) Is the wiring harness coming from a 1990 Evinrude 100-HP compatable with the c.1975 Johnson harness coming from my console [which was used with an 85-HP]? The red [connector] looks the same on both engines.
A2J15Sport	posted 12-03-2008 09:42 AM ET (US) They should be the same as long as they have the "Big Red Plug", as you mentioned. My Whaler had a 1975 50-HP in which I changed to a 1989 60-HP. I used the newer style 1989 control box for both. The trim and tilt harness may be slightly different but the wiring is simple. Green=down. Blue=up. Red=Power (batt. positive).
Tohsgib	posted 12-03-2008 10:54 AM ET (US) Should be the same, not sure if I would feel confident in a 34 year old wiring harness when you can get a new one for $65 that includes the modern PTnT harness and even VRO. The main problem might be warning harn compatibility, etc.
A2J15Sport	posted 12-03-2008 12:59 PM ET (US) Agreed. That's why I went with the modern control box. I did not have a warning horn [concern]. The oil injection system alarm worked OK because I went forward, not backwards. Good point. For a minimal sum, you can get a modern harness.
pglein	posted 12-03-2008 01:32 PM ET (US) You shouldn't have a problem with the warning horn or anything like that unless you are changing over to a System Check harness or engine, in which case, the plugs would not be compatible. I believe that came out in c.1996. This information is all available in the Reference section, and part numbers can be cross referenced on BRP's online parts catalog.
A2J15Sport	posted 12-03-2008 03:28 PM ET (US) pglein is correct, I could not remember if it was Model Year 1996 or [1997]. Thanks PG. The oil injection circuit is an additional circuit. A new harness is available, pretty cheap. It's a worthwhile conversion.
pglein	posted 12-03-2008 05:20 PM ET (US) Yes, the conversion kit is available, but I'm not sure I'd say it's cheap. Three hundred something-or-other dollars for just the on-engine harness, VRO tank insert, and sensors. That doesn't include the new ignition key, remote harness, or the System Check gauge. As discussed in another thread, it's worth every penny in terms of what you physically get, but you don't gain a whole lot of functionality. That is, if your harness needs to be replaced anyway, it makes sense to upgrade. But if your harness, including all your sensors, switches, and buzzers, is in good shape, it's a lot of money to spend for just a couple warning lights. Most of what the System Check gauge tells you is already reported by audible tones on the older system. I have opted against it on my boat for the time being. I have other things I want to spend money on first.
jimh	posted 12-03-2008 09:41 PM ET (US) I am not an expert, but it seems like that big red connector had a long run with OMC motors and their electrical harnesses. I don't think it was dropped until the c.1996 epoch when the System Check became the standard. For a long and information filled discussion on the System Check upgrade kit, see: http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/015190.html
seahorse	posted 12-04-2008 10:36 PM ET (US) The red connector was used from 1973 thru 1995 until the MWS style cable with 3 connectors along with the SystemCheck warning lights came out in 1996 and still in use today.