1988 Evinrude 90 VRO Project

[Outrage 19]

Ok here goes I got this old boat (bought it from a friend pretty cheep). The trailer looks good needs roller cradles (I’m converting to bunks any way). The boat turns out to be a 1963 Wellcraft Runabout (needs lots of work; looks like it was used as a work boat for a number of years). Ok on to the engine.

When I got the boat the Power Tilt & Trim was up and no battery to bring it down (refer to post Tilt & Trim Release). The way the splash well is made I couldn’t easily get the cover off with the PT&T up. After wiggling the cover past the back of the splash well and not finding the Welch plug I tried to ID the engine with a photo (refer to post Motor ID). I finally hooked up my truck’s battery using jumper cables and got the PT&T to go down. After removing the mouse nest on top of the engine I find the Welch plug. It turns out this is a 1988 Evinrude 90 VRO.

A quick survey reveals the VRO is disabled (can’t tell if it’s done right or not). There is a peace of flat 3 wire extension cord coming in with the wiring harness (one wire is being used to jump across a fuse going to the starter solenoid, one I can’t tell where it goes, and the third doesn’t connect to anything). The other end of the 3 wire looks like it goes into the control box. I turned the key but nothing happens (I’ll be tearing into the control box sooner than later). I push the key and, good news, I here the choke close and open. I jumpier across the starter solenoid and more good news the starter turns but my truck battery is not strong enough to kick the bendix up. So off to the store for a good strong battery (refer to post What Size Battery). With a good hot battery the bendix kicks up and I can do a compression test. The compression test gives more good news 105 psi on all 4 cylinders. A spark check shows I’ve got spark on all four cylinders too.

So this is where I am the Service Manual is on the way but until it gets here I’ll be getting into that control box to see if I can figure out what that extension cord wire is doing and can I make the key turn the starter. Any ideas on what to look for when I get in there would be helpful?

Thanks in advance.

Outrage 19

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: 1988 Evinrude 90 VRO Project

It's Saturday morning, so I'm not out in the shop to look at the service manual. I think the wire's you are referring to are part of the VRO warning system, but I can't say for sure. If you ordered an OEM manual, it will have a colored wiring guide, and that will help alot. Get about a 700 CCA battery. Sound's like you can get that engine up, and running.

 

[Outrage 19]

Re: 1988 Evinrude 90 VRO Project

Update, I pulled the control box off and took it apart. There is only one conductor of the extension cord wire connected and it goes from the ignition switch (terminal facing up when you lay the half of the control box with the shift leaver on the leaver) to the module above the right cylinder bank (same side of the engine where the starter solenoid is mounted). Without the Manuel I can’t tell what’s going on. BTW I got the OEM Manuel and an 875 CCA battery.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: 1988 Evinrude 90 VRO Project

Look at the starter solenoid. If the solenod has one small terminal, the case is externally grounded. If it has two small terminals one those is grounded to the engine block. The other terminal is the START terminal that comes from the ignition switch. That terminal should have 12V on it when you turn the key to START. If not, work your way back to the control box.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: 1988 Evinrude 90 VRO Project

Forgot to mention that there is also a neutral safety switch in the control box. If the controls are not in neutral, you can't start the engine.

 

[Outrage 19]

Re: 1988 Evinrude 90 VRO Project

Thanks for the info Silvertip. Here’s the skinny, the solenoid has 2 small posts, I don't have 12 volts at the top post when the key is turned to the start position, I can jump from the large top post to the small top post and activate the starter, the neutral safety switch is being depressed by the shift leaver and the kill switch is also depressed. I’m leaning towards broken wire or bad ignition switch.

Unfortunately I have to go out of town on business and won’t be able to get back to this project until next Sunday. When I get back the first thing I’ll do is ohm out that wire.

 

[Outrage 19]

Re: 1988 Evinrude 90 VRO Project

Update. IT RUNS. Boy the things you can do with a manual. Once I got to look at a wiring diagram it was easy. It turned out to be the neutral safety switch. The screws holding it in place wouldn’t tighten down all the way, like they are too long. I put a washer under each one and pushed the switch up so it would engage, picked up on the start leaver, turned and pushed the key and it started like it was run just yesterday. The water pump’s not puttin out water so I’ll have to change that but It runs.

Question for yall, the idle seems high should I tear down the carbs and clean them or do a link and sync?

 

[ezeke]

Re: 1988 Evinrude 90 VRO Project

I believe that your motor may have QuikStart [check the "ignition system" section in your service manual]. QuikStart advances the timing until the engine reaches 97º F, making cold starting easier, bur giving one the impression that the engine idles too fast.

Probably should not make any adjustments until you know for sure what power pack you have.