I have 1970 Johnson Outboard motor. I hooked up the battery backwards and now it won't start. Any ideas?

Question

No, it is not a fuse.

Answer 1

Did it run before you did that and did you put the battery on correctly after realizing it was backwards?

Answer 2

its possible you may have burnt the power pack out on it if that's the case it probably wont start, but check the fuse,the in-line  one its supposed to protect that from happening if its blown it wont even turn over,id say you blowed it when the cables went on,and that's a simple fix,that fuse is located over the engine in the wiring harness,real easy to spot,good luck with it.

Answer 3

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SO WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU TURN THE KEY?

does the solenoid click?

starter motor spin?

engage the flywheel?

spin the flywheel?

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no powerpack on a 1970 johnson.

amplifier maybe.

the rectifier is blown for sure.  should not have an effect on starting.

shouldn't affect the starter solenoid or starter motor.

what happens when you turn the key? anything at all?

did you check the main wiring harness fuse?  not sure where on that vintage, but see if there's an inline fuse holder on a red wire between the starter solenoid and the main harness plug.  should be a 20-amp fuse.

what horsepower motor?

Answer 4

There should be an in line fuse in the wiring harness- this fuse could be blown- this can prevent it from running-check it out.

Answer 5

yeah  you probably blew the fuse