What controler do I need? 1975 40 Johnson

[AZgunslinger]

I have a 1975 40hp Johnson outboard.
40EL75
I need a controle for. My motor has the red plug harness on it now.
When I go to shop for them on EBAY I'm confused what style I need and what years fit what for the red plug on my harness and cable types.
I have the throttle and shift cables on my motor.
So 2 questions:
Is there a modern made controller out there that fits my cables and red plug that doesn't require a special adapter harness that cost as much as a modern controller?

Can someone give me a link to what the side mount controls I need looks like.

1 have a 1997 17" aluminum bass pro fishing boat that had a 50hp mariner on it that some asshat stole from me in a hotel lot. I can't afford a new modern engine and my father has a good running 1975 40hp I want to use to hold me over to take my son fishing. I've made a steering bracket but I can't find a controller that specifically states it will fit my red plug and cable type. In fact I don't even know what my cable type is. They're on my motor and seem to be perfect length.

Thank you for your time!

[Joe Reeves]

It's been my experience through the years that any control with a RED plug will fit perfectly to any engine that incorporates a RED plug.

The same hold true for the BLACK plug and also the YELLOW plug.

If I'm in error here in later models (1992 up), there will be other members jumping in to state that fact (hopefully).

[AZgunslinger]

It's been my experience through the years that any control with a RED plug will fit perfectly to any engine that incorporates a RED plug.

The same hold true for the BLACK plug and also the YELLOW plug.

If I'm in error here in later models (1992 up), there will be other members jumping in to state that fact (hopefully).

I have the E in my model so I'm assuming that's fit the electronic shift.
Some of the controllers have just one lever and some have 2. I'm assuming I just need the one with 1 lever. Some state they are for the hydroelectric what's the difference between hydroelectric and just electric?

On my motor controller where should the choke be? Is it push key choke or is there a manual choke throw on the controles or a separate switch/button?

[Joe Reeves]

The 1975 40hp Johnson is a manual shift engine (Not Electric Shift). Notice the manual shift handle on the starboard side of the engine?

Within the model number of 40EL75, the "40" is of course the hp, the "E" stands for electric start, the "L" is for long shaft (20"), and the "75" indicates the hp.

If your engine incorporates a electric choke, there will be a electric choke solenoid attached to the carburetor... look for it.

The choke is actuated by pushing the key in if you have that setup.

[AZgunslinger]

ok, thanks.
I will look for the choke silenoid.


Or does the type of choke dictate the type of controller.
I see some have a choke lever and some have a toggle switch then I read some are push key. I assume if I have a choke silenoid I can use push key or toggle..?
If it's manual choke I need the lever or am I still confused.

Do you think this one would work?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/182145955548

I really appreciate your time!

[Joe Reeves]

Any controller with a RED electrical plug will work... that picture doesn't show me anything.

The lever on the control box has nothing to do with the choke... it simply increases the throttle slightly for the warm up period.

The electric choke can use either a toggle switch or the push key in feature.

If a manual choke, there will be a feature for that at the engine.... however, with a RED plug and if that engine is an electric start model, I'd suspect it has an electric choke.

Take the hood off and look for that choke solenoid and electric starter.