Johnson service bulletin archive / Dealer Letter #186

1967-1969 Johnson Instrument Cable Assemblies and 21-Foot Exchange Chart - DL-186

In December 1968, Johnson Motors consolidated its instrument cable exchange information for 1967, 1968 and 1969 outboards. The letter identifies standard 17- and 18-foot cables and their 21-foot replacements, and explains the factory exchange procedure. Its part-number chart is reproduced below as searchable text.

Original Johnson Motors red Dealer Letter letterheadDL-#186

December, 1968

SUBJECT: INSTRUMENT CABLE ASSEMBLIES - MOTOR TO DASH PANEL

In 1967, we began furnishing a shorter instrument cable with our 40 horsepower and larger motors. This was prompted, primarily, by the copper shortage and the fact that the longer length was not required in the majority of installations.

There will be instances, on some larger boats, where the shorter cable won’t quite reach. You may, in those few cases, return the original cable, in new and unused condition, and exchange it for a 21 foot cable. Return the original cable, transportation prepaid, to Johnson Motors, Service Department, Waukegan, Illinois 60085. Enclose with the cable, or mail concurrently, a letter stating that this particular cable (give part number) is being returned for exchange. This will identify it with the exchange program and ensure prompt handling.

Be sure to remove the instruments from the panel end of the cable - you will need these for the longer cable you receive. The usage and part numbers of the standard cables and the part numbers of the corresponding 21 foot cables are listed below.

This program is set up for an exchange basis only. Do not return standard cables for credit - such requests will not be honored.

If a specific installation requires a cable length greater than 21 feet, you will have to order an extra standard cable from your Parts Distributor and splice them. In a special installation such as this, the cost of the extra cable is borne by the customer.

1967 MODELS

ModelStandard cableLengthLong cableLength
RDS-29E38212317 ft.38163621 ft.
RK-29E38212217 ft.38163421 ft.
*VX, VXH-13A38211918 ft.38162421 ft.
*V4S-19R38212118 ft.38163321 ft.
*V4A-19R & V4T-13A38212018 ft.38162721 ft.

1968 MODELS

ModelStandard cableLengthLong cableLength
RDS-3038263117 ft.38268921 ft.
RK-3038263317 ft.38268821 ft.
TR-1038264118 ft.38264221 ft.
VX, VXH-1438256018 ft.38256221 ft.
V4S-2038277918 ft.38278121 ft.
V4A-20, V4T-1438255918 ft.38256121 ft.
PAGE 2 SERVICE BULLETIN DL-#186 JOHNSON MOTORS, DIVISION OF OUTBOARD MARINE CORPORATION, WAUKEGAN, ILLINOIS 60085

1969 MODELS

ModelStandard cableLengthLong cableLength
40E6938332917 ft.38333021 ft.
40ES6927905617 ft.27905721 ft.
55ES6927905817 ft.27905921 ft.
85ESL6938363418 ft.38363621 ft.
115ESL6938363418 ft.38363621 ft.

*The 1967 60 and 80 horsepower battery ignition models have a one ohms coil resistance wire in the instrument cable. When splicing two cables on these models, use the resistance wire in one length of cable and bypass it on the other. (See SB-#1096, “Extending The Switch Cable Assembly”.)

Original Johnson Motors Carl Klawonn Administrative Assistant signature block

CK:rkm

Related factory publications

Earlier cable exchange information appears in DL-165 and DL-178. DL-186 also references SB-1096, “Extending The Switch Cable Assembly.”