Extremely helpful! It’s nice to have you explain the details (in all your videos) so calmly. Meanwhile I’m freaking out trying to figure it all out. “Said a guy I know.”
Thank you Jeremy! Electrical and motor/rigging stuff seems to be the big things that slow projects down for folks at home. We'll keep doing our best to keep making these types of videos and giving as many details as possible!
Great job Tom. Your videotaping is great and you are good speaker. Makes for very informative videos. I can say for a fact that your videos are a great help to any DIY'er wanting to attempt these projects on their own. Thank you for your service.
Thank you so much for the kind words! We saw a lack of in depth pontoon and boat restoration stuff out there so it feels great to know we’re doing what we set out to do.
Thank you so much! This is exactly what I was looking for when I asked the other day. I'm doing my first complete rebuild and between you and pontoon stuff I almost feel like a master.
According to my wiring chart it's a tan with a black stripe (and an all black ground wire) that's your low oil alarm wire. They should be coming off of the oil reservoir and connect into the ignition harness. It'll be wrapped or coated as all black from the reservoir back to the ignition harness usually.
Tom I found and watched your video on removing my steering cable and control cables for my Mercury Outboard, it made it fun and easy. I discovered cracks in my cables and figured it was a good time to replace them, the video you have listed is for Johnson/Evenrude, is the process the same for Mercury? Thanks Jeff
Glad the videos have been helpful. Search my channel and playlists for Mercury control box videos. I’ve got a few when it comes to removing and re installing them. Same concepts, slightly different mechanisms for holding cables in place.
2:06 Hi Tom! I'm putting a older bigger motor (Johnson)with system check and oil injection on my pontoon boat along with a center toon and it looks like I have to change the control box. The one that you used in this video looks like the one I need. Can you tell me what model and part number it is? And where to buy it. I think pontoon stuff. Com should have it . Also I would like to add a cross member in the back of boat to help support the weight of the bigger motor. Does pontoon stuff have them?
Pontoon stuff does not sell this control box as it's an Evinrude (BRP) branded control. Your best bet is to look on Ebay or reach out to your local Johnson/Evinrude dealer. Van's Sport Center here in West Michigan would be able to sell you what you need as well: 616-364-0666 ask for Brad in Parts. Pontoon Stuff just started carrying 2" tall hat channel crossmembers, so go take a look at those. Otherwise you may have to find a local metal shop that can order you or bend you the exact height you need. Hope this helps!
Great video Tom thanks again. I don't have either of those 2 engines bit my setup is very similar. I have an old mercury 500 with a thunderbolt. I think from the 70s but like I said different engines but same type of controls.
Thanks! They're all very similar in how they function as they're all cable systems and simply need to be pushed or pulled. Take your time, take pictures or notes, and it can all come apart and go back together smoothly no matter what the exact control or brand is.
Very well done, thank you! I have a 2004 Crest Carribean 25' pontoon. I need to replace both the throttle and shift cables. My question is, can I do this with the boat in the water? My marina wants $350 to do the work and $250 to pull the boat. Alternatively I could pull the boat and use my trailer to bring it back to the marina. I would prefer to do the work myself but just not sure if it's feasible to do with the boat in the slip? Thanks in advance for any suggestions! Tom Rowan Sr
It can 100% be done in the water…I know from experience! As long as you have access on the underside you can beach it somewhere you can stand in the water to take care of the outboard side of things. I’ve seen a trick where someone used an umbrella under the motor area to catch any hardware that might fall. Depending on what motor you have you will likely have at least a couple bolts/nuts to remove…do not drop them in the water!! Best of luck!!
@@tomspontoons WOW!! Thanks for such a quick reply! (I wasn't sure I would even get a response) I have a Honda 130. Smart tip about the umbrella. On average, how long would you estimate it should take to complete the job? I am very capable with tools and working on vehicles, boats, equipment, etc. Thanks again!
@@thomasrowan9347 I’ll keep answering comments as long as I can! Some days it’s just a couple and others it’s dozens. I’d plan on an hour on the control side and an hour running the new cables plus working on the motor side. Might go quicker, but that should be fairly accurate for someone working on something like that for the first time. The Honda is very similar to how Yamaha, Suzuki, and Tohatsu are rigged. So check my channel for videos on those controls too.
@@thomasrowan9347 happy to help! I check the comments a couple times a day. Manageable currently, but not sure how channels with more views can ever keep up!
I have videos installing them on other outboards, but they're just the plug and play style on the dash. I haven't replaced one in a control box like this.
You'd have to be specific on the colors of the wires. Usually there's a trim/tilt plug that has three wires. Others could be for gauge connections and additional gauge options. You've also got neutral safety wires and safety kill switch wires too.
Hey Randy! Thanks for watching, and great question. They are available in 1 ft increments, in a huge range. Mercury and Evinrude are each brand specific. Yamaha, Suzuki, Tohatsu, and Honda run a 3300 style universal cable and have their own end fittings. Call a dealer to make sure you get the right cables!
Could you post the link or exact name for the new control box you installed? I’m looking to replace an old Evinrude power pilot control and I think this one will hook up roughly the same
It’s the Concealed Side Mount Control. Google Search “Evinrude Part No: 5006180” and you’ll get plenty of places to shop. You’ll need a new ignition harness and key switch, and an adapter if you’re running and older style Johnson/Evinrude that has the big red plug for ignition harness connection. Hope this helps!!
This would be the exact control box you could use. There are some older versions that would work too. You need one compatible with SystemsCheck rigging!
Tom I have a tach that is not getting signal I have 92 Nissan 90 NS A outboard. Is there a way of testing from the motor to the control box? Wires come from the motor to the box and out from the box to the gauges. Out from the box to the gauges I have continuity so it is some where between the motor and the box? How do I test from the motor to the box. If I have to run a new signal wire where does it go on the nissan motor?
Unfortunately I'm not much help on that specific of a question for that particular motor. That would be one that I'd take to my local servicing marina to have them track down and tackle. I stick to the basics with outboards in terms of rigging new and doing this simple stuff like winterizing and lube changes. Sorry I can't be of more help on this one!
Trim wires should not need to be connected to crank the motor. Double check you have a power wire run from the key switch to the starter solenoid, that should be all that’s needed as far as I know. Beyond that it may be time to consult an Evinrude mechanic. I’m a restoration and customization guy…motor repair isn’t exactly my thing.
Great video. I have the same set up. There are two sets of individual wires. One is for the trim gage which you showed. What is the other set for? I have a tach with the 8 wire plug built in but now sure what the last three wires are for. Thanks
Thanks! Great question. There are two sets of wires: the trim gauge set is purple (key on power), black (ground), and white (trim indicator)....the other set is for your tachometer and is purple (key on power), black (ground), gray (tachometer indicator). It can be used on a variety of tachometers, but the pole setting may have to be adjusted depending on which gauge. Let me know if this helps!
@@cookeatshare9347 I just double checked with my friend who is an Evinrude certified mechanic…your big plug carries the tach signal to your systems check tachometer! You can just cap those extra wires on your harness and call it good. Helps to have friends who know this stuff inside and out!!!
@@tomspontoons thanks! That is awesome to know. Hopefully it helps some other people because I was scratching my head on this one. Now on to the voltmeter. Lol
@@cookeatshare9347 great!! Volt meter is simple, just needs power and a ground, and can have those jumped in from your purple and black from that tach harness since you’re not using them!! Just omit the gray tach signal wire and boom, you’ve got key on voltage!
Are those handles on the shifters reversible? For instance my current handle mounts to the right side of my console therfore the handle is on the right side of the control box. The only control boxes I see the shifter handle is on the left.
In almost all cases the answer is yes. There’s typically a bolt that runs through the opposite side into the shift handle. How the trim/tilt wire is run might complicate things, but I believe that control box can be switched over. AWESOME question!
@Toms Toons Pontoon Refurbishing I have a older evinrude tracker and the guts on the control are stripped. I'd rather just replace the whole thing rather than rebuild the entire inside. I hear I need a wiring harness adapter for that which seems to be pretty pricey.
@@jordanleonard5534 I would check EBay first for sure. I assume you have the control box with the “red plug” where the ignition harness meets the motor? And red plug controls are fairly common. Worst case, call Vans Sport Center and ask for Brad: 616-364-0666. He might have a good used control box to sell you!
Make sure you’re not trying to dry shift the motor. They don’t like to shift when not running. They will sometimes go into one gear and neutral, but may resist going into the other gear unless the prop is spinning.
This is with the cables not hooked up to the engine side. It will go neutral and forward but will not go reverse, cables are brand new. I took bottom plate off and the shift linkage was hitting the outer sheath and not allowing it to go back for reverse
@@bradleyhanners8161 I've never seen that before. Are you installing a BRP (Johnson/Evinrude) brand control box or an aftermarket option? And are the shift/throttle cables aftermarket brand or Johnson/Evinrude? I've seen on Mercury cables where the plastic barrel on the motor end will block the cable from shifting if not adjusted out of the way, but I've never seen something where the linkage hits the cable sheathing.
I've been slowly catching up on your vids, and like the others this one is outstandingly informative 👌🏿. Your experience shows in your detailed tutorials, not everyone can teach effectively. There are good n plenty of complementary comments I could have easily thumbs up but I had to put my two cents because I have an etec 115hp I'm looking to replace the shifter and cables. Pls share your opinion on the aftermarket brand shifters that are a fraction of the cost of OEM shifters. I'm eyeballing one that looks identical to the original for less that $200
Thank you so much for the kind words, and for watching!! All of my background and knowledge stems from OEM (outboard brand) accessories and rigging components. These days I’m sure there are some great universal options, but I’d hate to comment on something I haven’t experienced. You’ll see in another video that I installed a universal binnacle control made by MarPac. All in all it was a pretty solid control. Not as simple and plug and play as OEM options, but it looked good and functioned very well for my customer.
@@tomspontoons Thank you Tom for educating us. We recognize the value from the videos coming from a pro staffer. When you show us how to save money DIYing you are essentially putting money towards our families and we can't thank you enough. So If you could answer another question and direct me to the OEM throttle shifter for my Etec 115 with systems checking would be awesome. How do I know I have the right one the first time without going into the current one on the boat? I should invest in new cables while I'm at it, I truly appreciate your time providing part and where to purchasing info.
@@awakenedtotruth8419 I'll put a couple links below for the OEM controls. They both have the correct connections for an ETEC and the SystemsCheck ignition harness, gauge, and system. My hope is that my channel gives someone the tools they need to tackle a project themselves, feel the satisfaction of that success, and then get to enjoy their hard work for years and years to come....AND TO SHARE THAT TIME ON THE WATER WITH PEOPLE THEY LOVE! The side mount box from this video: leadersrpmshop.com/johnson-evinrude-omc-brp-new-oem-side-surface-mount-remote-control-5006180/?gclid=CjwKCAiAmuKbBhA2EiwAxQnt78ZeeI_0QNwkcFZtGLlburlvocKt71rcv9xOAXwRdOmZwMqa_Bz11RoCBXgQAvD_BwE A Binnacle style mount (top side): leadersrpmshop.com/johnson-evinrude-omc-new-oem-binnacle-top-console-mount-remote-control-5006186/
Extremely helpful! It’s nice to have you explain the details (in all your videos) so calmly. Meanwhile I’m freaking out trying to figure it all out. “Said a guy I know.”
Thank you Jeremy! Electrical and motor/rigging stuff seems to be the big things that slow projects down for folks at home. We'll keep doing our best to keep making these types of videos and giving as many details as possible!
Great job Tom. Your videotaping is great and you are good speaker. Makes for very informative videos. I can say for a fact that your videos are a great help to any DIY'er wanting to attempt these projects on their own. Thank you for your service.
Thank you so much for the kind words! We saw a lack of in depth pontoon and boat restoration stuff out there so it feels great to know we’re doing what we set out to do.
Thank you so much! This is exactly what I was looking for when I asked the other day. I'm doing my first complete rebuild and between you and pontoon stuff I almost feel like a master.
So glad I could help! I hope this video helps lots of other folks tackling their projects too.
Thanks bro exactly what i was lookìg for have a great one my dude
Glad you found it, thanks for watching!
Very informative and helpful videos
Thank you for the kind words, and for watching!
Hi Tom . I have recently swapped my 95 to 98 Johnson 115 hp . I need to know where Should I connect two wires from the oil tank vro ? Thank you!
According to my wiring chart it's a tan with a black stripe (and an all black ground wire) that's your low oil alarm wire. They should be coming off of the oil reservoir and connect into the ignition harness. It'll be wrapped or coated as all black from the reservoir back to the ignition harness usually.
Tom I found and watched your video on removing my steering cable and control cables for my Mercury Outboard, it made it fun and easy. I discovered cracks in my cables and figured it was a good time to replace them, the video you have listed is for Johnson/Evenrude, is the process the same for Mercury? Thanks Jeff
Glad the videos have been helpful. Search my channel and playlists for Mercury control box videos. I’ve got a few when it comes to removing and re installing them. Same concepts, slightly different mechanisms for holding cables in place.
When you attach the throttle cable to the shifting mechanism, do you put the motor in neutral, forward, or reverse
Great question! I keep the motor in neutral the entire time.
2:06 Hi Tom! I'm putting a older bigger motor (Johnson)with system check and oil injection on my pontoon boat along with a center toon and it looks like I have to change the control box. The one that you used in this video looks like the one I need. Can you tell me what model and part number it is? And where to buy it. I think pontoon stuff. Com should have it . Also I would like to add a cross member in the back of boat to help support the weight of the bigger motor. Does pontoon stuff have them?
Pontoon stuff does not sell this control box as it's an Evinrude (BRP) branded control. Your best bet is to look on Ebay or reach out to your local Johnson/Evinrude dealer. Van's Sport Center here in West Michigan would be able to sell you what you need as well: 616-364-0666 ask for Brad in Parts.
Pontoon Stuff just started carrying 2" tall hat channel crossmembers, so go take a look at those. Otherwise you may have to find a local metal shop that can order you or bend you the exact height you need.
Hope this helps!
Thanks for the info...as always a big help
Great video. I learned a lot!! Thanks
Great! Happy to help, and thank you for watching!
Great video Tom thanks again. I don't have either of those 2 engines bit my setup is very similar. I have an old mercury 500 with a thunderbolt. I think from the 70s but like I said different engines but same type of controls.
Thanks! They're all very similar in how they function as they're all cable systems and simply need to be pushed or pulled. Take your time, take pictures or notes, and it can all come apart and go back together smoothly no matter what the exact control or brand is.
Very well done, thank you! I have a 2004 Crest Carribean 25' pontoon. I need to replace both the throttle and shift cables. My question is, can I do this with the boat in the water? My marina wants $350 to do the work and $250 to pull the boat. Alternatively I could pull the boat and use my trailer to bring it back to the marina. I would prefer to do the work myself but just not sure if it's feasible to do with the boat in the slip? Thanks in advance for any suggestions! Tom Rowan Sr
It can 100% be done in the water…I know from experience! As long as you have access on the underside you can beach it somewhere you can stand in the water to take care of the outboard side of things. I’ve seen a trick where someone used an umbrella under the motor area to catch any hardware that might fall. Depending on what motor you have you will likely have at least a couple bolts/nuts to remove…do not drop them in the water!! Best of luck!!
@@tomspontoons WOW!! Thanks for such a quick reply! (I wasn't sure I would even get a response) I have a Honda 130. Smart tip about the umbrella. On average, how long would you estimate it should take to complete the job? I am very capable with tools and working on vehicles, boats, equipment, etc. Thanks again!
@@thomasrowan9347 I’ll keep answering comments as long as I can! Some days it’s just a couple and others it’s dozens.
I’d plan on an hour on the control side and an hour running the new cables plus working on the motor side. Might go quicker, but that should be fairly accurate for someone working on something like that for the first time. The Honda is very similar to how Yamaha, Suzuki, and Tohatsu are rigged. So check my channel for videos on those controls too.
@@tomspontoons Thanks again! Don't think I've ever had such a quick response from any forum I've been on!
@@thomasrowan9347 happy to help! I check the comments a couple times a day. Manageable currently, but not sure how channels with more views can ever keep up!
Hi, do you have a video on how to install ignition switch?
I have videos installing them on other outboards, but they're just the plug and play style on the dash. I haven't replaced one in a control box like this.
What do the two sets of 3 wires get connected to?
You'd have to be specific on the colors of the wires. Usually there's a trim/tilt plug that has three wires. Others could be for gauge connections and additional gauge options. You've also got neutral safety wires and safety kill switch wires too.
Them caves come all length ? Thank you for all you do
Hey Randy! Thanks for watching, and great question. They are available in 1 ft increments, in a huge range. Mercury and Evinrude are each brand specific. Yamaha, Suzuki, Tohatsu, and Honda run a 3300 style universal cable and have their own end fittings. Call a dealer to make sure you get the right cables!
Could you post the link or exact name for the new control box you installed? I’m looking to replace an old Evinrude power pilot control and I think this one will hook up roughly the same
It’s the Concealed Side Mount Control. Google Search “Evinrude Part No: 5006180” and you’ll get plenty of places to shop. You’ll need a new ignition harness and key switch, and an adapter if you’re running and older style Johnson/Evinrude that has the big red plug for ignition harness connection.
Hope this helps!!
Great video,it answered a lot of questions I had. when I do my restoration I would like to make mine a center console thx
Thanks!! You could mount this same control box to the side of a center console, or use a binnacle mount control.
Thanks Great video, I'm wanting to convert from a binicle shifter to this type to save space on my new pontoon helm console, with 2003 90 Johnson.
This would be the exact control box you could use. There are some older versions that would work too. You need one compatible with SystemsCheck rigging!
Thanks for the info.
@@garyfp4254 absolutely! Thanks for watching!
Tom I have a tach that is not getting signal I have 92 Nissan 90 NS A outboard. Is there a way of testing from the motor to the control box? Wires come from the motor to the box and out from the box to the gauges. Out from the box to the gauges I have continuity so it is some where between the motor and the box? How do I test from the motor to the box. If I have to run a new signal wire where does it go on the nissan motor?
Unfortunately I'm not much help on that specific of a question for that particular motor. That would be one that I'd take to my local servicing marina to have them track down and tackle. I stick to the basics with outboards in terms of rigging new and doing this simple stuff like winterizing and lube changes. Sorry I can't be of more help on this one!
@@tomspontoons 👍
old 91 70hp evinrude. do the trim wires need to be installed to crank the motor over ? Ditto what jeremytaylor727 said
Trim wires should not need to be connected to crank the motor. Double check you have a power wire run from the key switch to the starter solenoid, that should be all that’s needed as far as I know. Beyond that it may be time to consult an Evinrude mechanic. I’m a restoration and customization guy…motor repair isn’t exactly my thing.
Great video. I have the same set up. There are two sets of individual wires. One is for the trim gage which you showed. What is the other set for? I have a tach with the 8 wire plug built in but now sure what the last three wires are for. Thanks
Thanks! Great question. There are two sets of wires: the trim gauge set is purple (key on power), black (ground), and white (trim indicator)....the other set is for your tachometer and is purple (key on power), black (ground), gray (tachometer indicator). It can be used on a variety of tachometers, but the pole setting may have to be adjusted depending on which gauge. Let me know if this helps!
@@tomspontoons so that goes to the tach in addition to the system check connection that is also built into the tach? Mine is a all in one gauge
@@cookeatshare9347 I just double checked with my friend who is an Evinrude certified mechanic…your big plug carries the tach signal to your systems check tachometer! You can just cap those extra wires on your harness and call it good. Helps to have friends who know this stuff inside and out!!!
@@tomspontoons thanks! That is awesome to know. Hopefully it helps some other people because I was scratching my head on this one. Now on to the voltmeter. Lol
@@cookeatshare9347 great!! Volt meter is simple, just needs power and a ground, and can have those jumped in from your purple and black from that tach harness since you’re not using them!! Just omit the gray tach signal wire and boom, you’ve got key on voltage!
Are those handles on the shifters reversible? For instance my current handle mounts to the right side of my console therfore the handle is on the right side of the control box. The only control boxes I see the shifter handle is on the left.
In almost all cases the answer is yes. There’s typically a bolt that runs through the opposite side into the shift handle. How the trim/tilt wire is run might complicate things, but I believe that control box can be switched over. AWESOME question!
@@tomspontoons thanks for all the help. Great video to get guys down the right path.
@Toms Toons Pontoon Refurbishing I have a older evinrude tracker and the guts on the control are stripped. I'd rather just replace the whole thing rather than rebuild the entire inside. I hear I need a wiring harness adapter for that which seems to be pretty pricey.
@@jordanleonard5534 I would check EBay first for sure. I assume you have the control box with the “red plug” where the ignition harness meets the motor? And red plug controls are fairly common. Worst case, call Vans Sport Center and ask for Brad: 616-364-0666. He might have a good used control box to sell you!
My throttle isn't jumping into reverse. Ima assume it's the cable being stretched too much now. I'll look at getting new ones and replacing
Make sure you’re not trying to dry shift the motor. They don’t like to shift when not running. They will sometimes go into one gear and neutral, but may resist going into the other gear unless the prop is spinning.
So I did this Control box swap mine wouldn’t shift to reverse because the cable was stopping it. Any ideas on what I need to do?
This is with the cables not hooked up to the engine side. It will go neutral and forward but will not go reverse, cables are brand new. I took bottom plate off and the shift linkage was hitting the outer sheath and not allowing it to go back for reverse
@@bradleyhanners8161 I've never seen that before. Are you installing a BRP (Johnson/Evinrude) brand control box or an aftermarket option? And are the shift/throttle cables aftermarket brand or Johnson/Evinrude?
I've seen on Mercury cables where the plastic barrel on the motor end will block the cable from shifting if not adjusted out of the way, but I've never seen something where the linkage hits the cable sheathing.
I've been slowly catching up on your vids, and like the others this one is outstandingly informative 👌🏿. Your experience shows in your detailed tutorials, not everyone can teach effectively. There are good n plenty of complementary comments I could have easily thumbs up but I had to put my two cents because I have an etec 115hp I'm looking to replace the shifter and cables. Pls share your opinion on the aftermarket brand shifters that are a fraction of the cost of OEM shifters. I'm eyeballing one that looks identical to the original for less that $200
Thank you so much for the kind words, and for watching!!
All of my background and knowledge stems from OEM (outboard brand) accessories and rigging components. These days I’m sure there are some great universal options, but I’d hate to comment on something I haven’t experienced. You’ll see in another video that I installed a universal binnacle control made by MarPac. All in all it was a pretty solid control. Not as simple and plug and play as OEM options, but it looked good and functioned very well for my customer.
@@tomspontoons
Thank you Tom for educating us. We recognize the value from the videos coming from a pro staffer. When you show us how to save money DIYing you are essentially putting money towards our families and we can't thank you enough.
So If you could answer another question and direct me to the OEM throttle shifter for my Etec 115 with systems checking would be awesome. How do I know I have the right one the first time without going into the current one on the boat? I should invest in new cables while I'm at it, I truly appreciate your time providing part and where to purchasing info.
@@awakenedtotruth8419 I'll put a couple links below for the OEM controls. They both have the correct connections for an ETEC and the SystemsCheck ignition harness, gauge, and system. My hope is that my channel gives someone the tools they need to tackle a project themselves, feel the satisfaction of that success, and then get to enjoy their hard work for years and years to come....AND TO SHARE THAT TIME ON THE WATER WITH PEOPLE THEY LOVE!
The side mount box from this video:
leadersrpmshop.com/johnson-evinrude-omc-brp-new-oem-side-surface-mount-remote-control-5006180/?gclid=CjwKCAiAmuKbBhA2EiwAxQnt78ZeeI_0QNwkcFZtGLlburlvocKt71rcv9xOAXwRdOmZwMqa_Bz11RoCBXgQAvD_BwE
A Binnacle style mount (top side):
leadersrpmshop.com/johnson-evinrude-omc-new-oem-binnacle-top-console-mount-remote-control-5006186/
@@tomspontoons
OUTSTANDING & powerful sentiment there Tom! You summarized what heaven sounds like to me...togetherness.
@@awakenedtotruth8419 Just a guy who works on boats over here...I'm just happy to help!
ould you please give me a link to the wiring of gauges as per your comment in this video please ?
Here’s one we did a little while back:
Installing Gauges on Pontoon Boat - FUEL, TACH, & SPEED
th-cam.com/video/EsMEGtAhG68/w-d-xo.html
😁👍
Hope it helped!