2000 200HP Ficht - EMM issues

[fireman_bob]

Ok so I'm on my 3rd try with a repaired EMM. I get it back from DFI and plug it in. I use the diagnostic software to fire coil 1. The motor jumps, apparently from the spark igniting the left over fuel in the cylinder (from when I was cranking with the EMM not working). So I figure all is good. Go to start and all it does is crank (get the fuel pump on, lights on dash, etc). I put a timing light on the plugs and no spark. With the software I can turn on each coil and hear a clicking from within the EMM so I know something is happening. It just seems there's no high voltage coming going to the primaries of the coils. I've checked my coils and they are all within spec as far as resistance. I put a peak reading voltmeter on the primaries and all I get is around 2.5vdc.
I have to assume that DFI is testing these EMM's on a good motor so what the heck can be so wrong with my motor that it pops the ignition circuit in the EMM as soon as I go to start?
I checked the wiring at the EMM and I'm getting 20+ volts when cranking on all the 40v lines. I have a good solid 12v from the battery. I've removed and cleaned all of my grounds and checked them ALL at the EMM connectors with a good ohm meter. All are right at the lead resistance of around 0.2 ohms. The motor shows between 200 and 500 rpm when cranking.
The main issue that started this whole (1 month so far) escapade was that the capacitor in my EMM cut loose and the engine died. I'm wondering if that caused so much damage that the EMM board is really toast and all the repairs in the world won't fix it.
Could it be that my EMM is just really screwed up and time for a new one, or can something else outside of the EMM cause this type of issue.?

 

[Faztbullet]

Re: 2000 200HP Ficht - EMM issues

Have you check the CPS (crank position sensor)?

 

[fireman_bob]

Re: 2000 200HP Ficht - EMM issues

I checked the terminal resistance & saw 1k ohms. While cranking the diagnostic software showed between 200 and 500 rpm. Is there more I can do to check it?

 

[seahorse5]

Re: 2000 200HP Ficht - EMM issues

Better give DFI a call Tuesday, I do not think that they are open on Mondays.

 

[fireman_bob]

Re: 2000 200HP Ficht - EMM issues

Hi Seahorse,
Thanks, but I'm pretty frustrated with DFI at this point. This EMM has been back to them 3x so far in the past year, 2x in the last month. Since they're closed Mondays, you can't talk to them until Tuesday, then it takes a week turnaround to send and receive from them. While they are very nice to work with and have worked with me on the warranty for this unit, having this thing fail again (during peak boating season) has cost me 4 weeks off the water. I suspect when their last fix (adding the bigger cap) broke loose from the board, it caused major damage to the EMM and now the thing will never be right. After the cap cut loose and I sent it back, they fixed it and when I put it on the motor I couldn't even communicate with it. When it went back that time, they told me there were 3 major (unrelated) areas of the EMM that were damaged, including burnt traces, and couldn't understand how that could happen. They told me to check all my grounds, which I did and were good. The ignition cap gets charged to somewhere around 250vdc. When that cut loose, all that energy needed to go somewhere and found some unrelated paths to ground through other parts of the PCB. They should have replaced the PCB at that point due to the extensive damage.
Again, they are great people to work with, but in my case, I'm not having very good luck.

 

[seahorse5]

Re: 2000 200HP Ficht - EMM issues

Your only other choice is to see your Evinrude dealer and have him order one from the factory for you.

 

[walleye seeker]

Re: 2000 200HP Ficht - EMM issues

you might try ebay there are some used ones on there also check craigslist . try googleing [craigslist ficht parts] alot comes up

 

[fireman_bob]

Re: 2000 200HP Ficht - EMM issues

If I get one off eBay how do I program the engine settings? The software I have only allows me to view the settings. I though this was a dealer only feature. Is there a way to download the engine data and injector settings from one box to another?

 

[fireman_bob]

Re: 2000 200HP Ficht - EMM issues

I got a new EMM from BRP and the problem is solved. It was indeed the EMM. I did nothing other than install the new one and drive the boat away! After 4 weeks of frustration and going back and forth, whatever DFI did to "fix" the old one did not work.

Just so everyone knows, there's 2 solutions to getting an EMM from BRP. They will sell you a "refurbed" unit for about $1k (which in comparison to the $850 that DFI charges to "repair" a unit is a no brainer) which has a brand new circuit board (OMC original design) with an old housing or you can get a brand new EMM design (after BRP took over OMC) that's backwards compatible with the older units for $2k. Either way you need to go through a dealer. I gave my old EMM to my dealer, he emailed the settings from it to BRP and I had my new one the next day. All the settings were transferred over and nothing was needed to be done other than plug it in and start it up. In hindsight I would have done this from day 1 had I known the options available from BRP. I lost 4 weeks of prime boating/fishing time screwing around trying to have my original EMM fixed, which in the end didn't work.
While I'm not trying to badmouth anyone, I just want others to be aware of their options and to learn from my experience.