OMC ESA Replacement Questions

[79Rude115]

I have a 1990 OMC cobra 5.7, the ESA is not working, when I manually engage it there is no change in the engine RPMs which explains why it is hard to get it out of gear.

I have done some reading and see that there are a couple of options however I can't locate the correct part. It seems the standard replacement (OMC 987738) engages for 5-7 seconds which makes docking and trailing cumbersome. I read that there is an another fix available that still uses the original switch (Rapair/CDI?) which does not kick in for 5-7 seconds.

So the questions are...
Where can I find this kit?
How do I determine which component is failing?

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: OMC ESA Replacement Questions

I replaced my dead ESA with the Rapair/CDI unit. I noticed no difference in function from one to the other.

If you manually operate the switch, and the ESA does not stumble, the switch or the ESA could be faulty.

 

[79Rude115]

Re: OMC ESA Replacement Questions

Thanks - so where can I find the correct part to order?

 

[79Rude115]

Re: OMC ESA Replacement Questions

Update - Got my volt meter out and tested the switch itself and found it to be fine. I manually jumpered the ESA with a alligator clip and still got no change in idle.

So I know it is the ESA module I just don't know what part to order so that I don't get the 5-7 second automatic engagement of the ESA with every shift.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: OMC ESA Replacement Questions

http://www.iboats.com/Evinrude-Shif...0559503--**********.241383235--view_id.335749

Boatfix.com has it for mid $50s but you have to do a search in their website for it.

123-9898-P is the part number but search for 987738 here:
http://www.boatfix.com/bykeywordnew2.asp

You also need to make sure your old ESA is getting power to it and it has a good ground. Also make sure that your overstroke switch is conducting. It is a normally closed dwitch so when it activates it opens.

http://www.cdielectronics.com/InstallSheet/123-9898-P.pdf

 

[79Rude115]

Re: OMC ESA Replacement Questions

Thank you sir

So am I right to assume that the Sierra Part # 18-5888 is the one that will introduce the 5-7 second interrupt with each shift?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: OMC ESA Replacement Questions

The Sierra part won't work with a Pertronix unit if you ever decide to go that route. The CDI will though.

 

[79Rude115]

Re: OMC ESA Replacement Questions

So...just to confirm, the sierra unit will not work with Pertronix and will automatically have a 5-7 second interrupt with each shift?

Thanks for all of the help

 

[bruceb58]

Re: OMC ESA Replacement Questions

As far as I know the CDI is the only one that will work "out of the box" with a Pertronix. Not sure if you read the CDI insatllation notes that I posted but it says you have to use a ballast resistor for the CDI to work with Pertronix.

As far as the 5-7 seconds with the Sierrra, not sure about that.

 

[79Rude115]

Re: OMC ESA Replacement Questions

Got it, thanks again. Just an fyi boatfix dot com is awesome, they had the best price and got it to me super fast even with the ground shipping option.

 

[79Rude115]

Re: OMC ESA Replacement Questions

Thanks to all for the help, I got the unit installed and it fixed the problem.

As mentioned earlier on in this thread the new design supposedly uses the 5-7 second interrupt with every shift, this has been reported as a pain in the neck by some. According to a mechanic I spoke with on this topic a change in engine RPM can also cancel the coil interrupt, so when the boat goes into or out of gear the switch engages the unit and the RPM change will cancel the interrupt instead of the overload switch.