powerpack problem?

[sunbird]

The idle on my engine will not drop below 1200 rpm's. I don'th think the quickstart is cutting out even after the engine is warmed up. Someone told me it might be the powerpack. <br /><br />Questions - what does the powerpack do? Where is it? Is it hard to change? How many do I have?<br /><br />I have a 1990 Johnson 120hp VRO.<br /><br />Thanks for your help.

 

[ob]

Re: powerpack problem?

sunbird, If you've got fire to all cylinders your powerpacks are fine.Possible causes of high idle speeds are throttle cables out of adjustment or if you suspect quickstart won't kickdown I'd look into changing thermostats.Possibly temp sensors.(The powerpacks initiate the firing of the ignition coils.)

 

[sunbird]

Re: powerpack problem?

Thanks for the reply. I already changed the thermostats but it didn't help. I had the same problem a few months ago and this did the trick. The engine runs great once out of neutral idle. So I guess the power packs are probably ok. What is the best way to check the throttle cables? It seems like it shifts ok.

 

[Capt Ken]

Re: powerpack problem?

Look at the top port head on the engine. If you have a brown and a white/black wire coming out of the sensor, you have the quick start. If there isn't a white/black wire, you don't. If you have the white/black wire, disconnect it and with the engine running, touch the wire going to the CDI to ground. If the engine slows down, then you will need to check or replace the sensor. Be sure the engine is heating up enough to trigger the sensor. A stuck open thermostat will also cause this problem.

 

[ob]

Re: powerpack problem?

sunbird,If motor shifts fine don't mess with the shift cable .Adjust the throttle cable trunion nut.Best done while motor is running in water.They tend to idle in nuetral a bit high on the hose.

 

[sunbird]

Re: powerpack problem?

I definitely have those colored wires, so I know I have the quickstart feature. I will do this test this week. Sorry if this is a dumb question but, why would the sensor make the quickstart not cut out? Also, is replacing the sensor a complicated repair? I can do most general maintenance things but I don't want to make things worse.<br /><br />thanks

 

[ob]

Re: powerpack problem?

The sensor could be defective and falsely telling quickstart control unit that engine is not warm.

 

[DB.Beachum]

Re: powerpack problem?

I would make sure the throttle is returnig all the way to the stop,motor off, get someone to work the control while you watch it at the motor,it could be the cable is stiffing up and it don't move as free as it needs to,ten make adjustments as nessary or replace it

 

[vinney]

Re: powerpack problem?

your back

 

[Beaux]

Re: powerpack problem?

sunbird-<br />did you fix your proper warmup problem??? This sounds related to your previous post. what was the solution to fix it? What temp does it operate at now? It may help us figure out why your quickstart is engaged. Do you have the manual for motor? It covers the general premise on how and why the powerpack controls the qucikstart and how the temp. switch grounds to control the quickstart. <br />I must say that if your powerpack is not disengaging the quickstart after you rev the motor above 1200 rpm, then I think you could have a powerpack problem. For general understanding: quickstart is turned off by any of three things: (1) temp switch reads normal operating heat range (2)powerpack has internal timer of 1-2 minutes that will shut it off (3) Any rpm level above @1200 rpm should auto deactivate to protect the powerhead. Some of the guys are pros(real or shadetree)and can help you if you give them enough info and have a good general understanding from the manual. GOOD LUCK!

 

[sunbird]

Re: powerpack problem?

You guys are all great and your help and advice is really appreciated.<br /><br />As far as the engine not getting hot, I pulled the thermostats and they seemed to be operating fine. I put the boat in the water on Saturday and the engine warmed up fine; however, the quickstart still would not cut out. The engine was probably running at the right temp the whole time. I think I was wrong about it being too cold and causing the quickstart problem. I revved the throttle to see if the quickstart would cut out but no luck. I will put it in a test tank and check the temp sensor but based on Beaux's latest advice it sounds like it might be the powerpack.<br /><br />I just got the Clymer manual for the engine. It talks about testing the sensor like you had mentioned. Then at the very end it says something like...if everything checks out fine it is probably the powerpack." Not too helpful. I think I will rely on this site's advice. After I test the sensor I will let you know what I find.<br /><br />thanks again.

 

[ob]

Re: powerpack problem?

sunbird,If motor is just idling high,what leads you to believe it is stuck in quickstart mode as opposed to throttle cable out of adjustment?

 

[Beaux]

Re: powerpack problem?

Ob's got a good point..... what is your engine doing that makes you think the quickstart is always operating? Performing the test Ken referred to would tell you. Let engine warm up... when you ground quick start lead and if the RPM/motor runs the same....then its not the quickstart b/c it is not "on". that will help focus you on the problem. WE could be diagnosing the chicken before the egg, if all you are having is the high idle speed. Sometimes ASSumptions make us both look foolish. Good catch OB!

 

[sunbird]

Re: powerpack problem?

I have never touched the throttle cable in the three years I've had the boat (except to grease the linkage). It seems to shift fine through reverse, neutral and foward. Also, from one day to the next it ran fine then the high idle problem started. I will do the tests as mentioned in the other posts and I will watch the cable to see if it is shifting completely.

 

[Beaux]

Re: powerpack problem?

That was NOT a shot at you sunbird(more like at ME).... just an attempt at humor!!!

 

[sunbird]

Re: powerpack problem?

No offense taken or meant.<br /><br />I only said that I had not "touched" the cable because I figured I could rule that out. In the past when I touch things because I think I know what I'm doing I later find out that I didn't.<br /><br />If I am jumping to conclusions about the quickstart and it turns out to be the cable, how hard is it to change? The manual wasn't too helpful.

 

[ob]

Re: powerpack problem?

sunbird, no need to change cable. Matbe just as easy as 1 turn of the truninon nut.There are two cables.Usually the throttle cable is the upper of the two.The other one will change the setting of the shift linkage.I've got a 95 rude and I've adjusted mine at least three times since new.Best time to make the adjustment is in water.if you're gunshy about adjusting use the present position as a reference point.