Can I just eliminate my ESA?

[bruceb58]

Re: Can I just eliminate my ESA?

Projo, have you checked power going to the ESA to make sure it is present?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Can I just eliminate my ESA?

Which is why it would be stupid to spend 110 dollars on a new one, when you can do this. There is no common sense in the idea that this would harm the gears.

Its not going to harm the gears. I am not saying that. There is just a greater risk down the road when a cable gets older that the engine will stall during the shift.

You can buy CDI ESA replacements that will work with electronic ignition systems if desired for less that $70.

 

[projo198]

Re: Can I just eliminate my ESA?

I didn't check for power, if I'm correct the 12v comes from the same wire harness that goes to the ignition coil, right?

I know for sure the brown is the ground that makes the more stutter, I think the other is a positive from the starter solenoid.

I will check that tonight.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Can I just eliminate my ESA?

I think the other is a positive from the starter solenoid.

Its definitely not from there. It comes from what powers the ignition.

 

[astuckey]

Re: Can I just eliminate my ESA?

Its not going to harm the gears. I am not saying that. There is just a greater risk down the road when a cable gets older that the engine will stall during the shift.

Well, I guess I will know when my cable is going bad. I have replaced the lower cable once, after it just broke, and I was stuck in foward. Glad it wasn't reverse!

Thank you for the explanation.

 

[projo198]

Re: Can I just eliminate my ESA?

Its definitely not from there. It comes from what powers the ignition.

Well I'm not sure where it comes from, but I just checked and the brown wire on the other connector going to the ESA is definitely a positive and getting 12V, so I'm assuming that is where the ESA gets its power from.

 

[Boats-A-lots]

Re: Can I just eliminate my ESA?

Might do this when I get my outdrive back on.. Humm.... (if I have problems with it that is)

 

[projo198]

Re: Can I just eliminate my ESA?

Well I got it all hooked up and electrically it works great! The shift arm wasn't moving enough to engage the interrupter switch coming out of fwd but that was in the driveway on muffs so hopefully things will be different in the water. I pulled the lower off today to replace the bellows, adjust the lower shift cable and align the motor. Once it's all together I'll post the results here!

 

[Boats-A-lots]

Re: Can I just eliminate my ESA?

Did you get it in the water?

 

[projo198]

Re: Can I just eliminate my ESA?

Did you get it in the water?

No, probably not until this weekend. Ordering parts this morning and hopefully they get here in time.

 

[Boats-A-lots]

Re: Can I just eliminate my ESA?

Keeping an eye on this tread.. I may do this to mine when I get it back together if I have any trouble with the ESA.

My final parts came today.. Now I can start putting everything back on the boat. Can't wait to hear VROOOOOM again!

 

[projo198]

Re: Can I just eliminate my ESA?

Well I'm geting back in the water so figured I would update this post again.

Replacing the ESA with a simple relay did work for me. I finished last season with it and have laready had the boat out twice this summer with the same set up.

That being said I am considering ordering another ESA. This is only because when the motor is cold that split second the relay studders the motor is enough to totally kill it unless I shift VERY fast. A minor annoyance at the launch that goes away after the motor is warm. But I installed the relay without cutting up any of my original wiring, so putting an ESA back on will be easy.

Thanks for all the inout guys, hope you have a fun and safe boating season!

 

[astuckey]

Re: Can I just eliminate my ESA?

That might be an indication of a shift cable going bad... Might not be, but it is something to look into.

 

[projo198]

Re: Can I just eliminate my ESA?

That might be an indication of a shift cable going bad... Might not be, but it is something to look into.

Oh I doubt it, I bought that shift cable brand new last year when I bought the boat.

My motor is tempermental the first 5 minutes or so in the water (cold blooded), so that relay killing the ignition is enough to totally kill the motor when it is still warming up is all. Once I get underway it works just fine.

Of course I might have the same problem when I replace the ESA, but to be honest I have never had a working shift assist installed so I don't know. I plan on buying a used on on Ebay and seeing how it works.

How are things going for you?

 

[astuckey]

Re: Can I just eliminate my ESA?

Everything on my boat is fine. I have never had that problem. However, I did rebuild my carb and set the idle before I did this fix. I love how smooth shifting is with my setup. I actually haven't gotten my boat in the water yet this year, but it was working perfectly at the end of last year. It has been a busy spring.

 

[projo198]

Re: Can I just eliminate my ESA?

Everything on my boat is fine. I have never had that problem. However, I did rebuild my carb and set the idle before I did this fix. I love how smooth shifting is with my setup. I actually haven't gotten my boat in the water yet this year, but it was working perfectly at the end of last year. It has been a busy spring.

Our spring has been weird. We actually got snow the first part of May (in Kansas)....

I have had the boat out twice, once for pleasure and once for fishing. I tried swimming when I took the family out but it was way too cold for me. My 4-year old however apparantly has no such qualms with swimming in freezing water lol. I couldn't get him OUT of the lake!

 

[subcrx]

Re: Can I just eliminate my ESA?

This was another factor which contributed to OMC's reputation on eating clutches and gears. Keep the ESA.

 

[Levinz11]

Re: Can I just eliminate my ESA?

Well I'm geting back in the water so figured I would update this post again.

Replacing the ESA with a simple relay did work for me. I finished last season with it and have laready had the boat out twice this summer with the same set up.

That being said I am considering ordering another ESA. This is only because when the motor is cold that split second the relay studders the motor is enough to totally kill it unless I shift VERY fast. A minor annoyance at the launch that goes away after the motor is warm. But I installed the relay without cutting up any of my original wiring, so putting an ESA back on will be easy.

Thanks for all the inout guys, hope you have a fun and safe boating season!

Projo. How, exactly did you wire you this??

 

[anthony31794]

Re: Can I just eliminate my ESA?

I have a 1988 wellcraft with a 3.0 mercruiser 140 horse..Boat will crank with shifter in foward with me crossing out the starter and once I put throttle in neutral engine stops..any thiughts?

 

[Boats-A-lots]

Re: Can I just eliminate my ESA?

I guess each application is different. I did this to mine and have had no problem what do ever. No grinding, stalling, or any thing.