Cobra ESA Parts(?)

[rybad]

Does anyone have a good source for ESA parts. I have one switch that appears to be bad. It seems that ESA modules and switches are difficult to find.<br /><br />Thanks

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Cobra ESA Parts(?)

Here are 2 links for you from previous posters<br /> OMC Shift Module search under "Other OMC Parts"<br /><br />This link is for Cherry Switches who make the those sealed marine switches Cherry Switches

 

[lakelivin]

Re: Cobra ESA Parts(?)

Originally posted by David 1995:<br /> Does anyone have a good source for ESA parts. I have one switch that appears to be bad. It seems that ESA modules and switches are difficult to find.<br /><br />Thanks

Did you try a google search? I was looking for the same recently and found several sources. Unfortunately I didn't bookmark any of the sites, but 10 minutes should provide you with a number of sources.

 

[vicsponjr]

Re: Cobra ESA Parts(?)

I just bought a Four Winns 215 Sundowner. The previous owner upgraded the 5.0 to a 5.7. He also took out the points distributor and put in a HEI with high perf. coil. He said he was having trouble with the throttle sticking (trouble getting out of forward), I'm assuming it is something in the ESA system. I am not familiar with the OMC drive, but I pressed the switch that looks like the shift interrupt switch on my Merc setup, and it didn't stall the engine. He says it shifted good after installing the new engine and distributor, that the throttle problem came afterwards. I know he didn't change the ESA components. Is there different ESA components for HEI, or won't it work with the HEI?

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Cobra ESA Parts(?)

what type HEI did he use. the one with the coil in the cap for auto use is not legal on a boat. the delco EST has a seperate coil and will eliminate the ESA if its prestolite BID we can eliminate the ESA. if its points I eliminate the ESA and rewire it like a mercrusier.but HEI was the name GM gave to their electronic ign system with the coil in the cap, with the exception of a few inline 4's and 6's, but none were ever USCG approved. the HEI used mechanical as well as vacum advance and the EST uses electronic advance. while the two systems are similar nothing interchanges well.<br /> so first we have to positivly ID your system.

 

[vicsponjr]

Re: Cobra ESA Parts(?)

OK my mistake, thought HEI was just pointless. I only looked at it once. The coil is seperate, not in the cap. I'll talk to him today, but don't know if he'll be much help. I can stop buy the marina and take at look what is on there. Thanks rodbolt.

 

[rbezdon]

Re: Cobra ESA Parts(?)

If you want an OMC ESA that is compatible with the electronic modules (Pertronix) get the CDI/Rapair 123-9898-P. It wires to the overstroke switch too which I have found is much better that the 7 second timeout of the OMC replacement ESA which uses bypasses the overstroke.

 

[vicsponjr]

Re: Cobra ESA Parts(?)

thanks vat. How will I know if its the switch or the module? And what does the overstroke do?

 

[rbezdon]

Re: Cobra ESA Parts(?)

You can activate the switch by hand, if the engine stumbles switch and ESA OK just adjust. If no action when switch is pressed disconnect the wire harness between the switch and the ESA. Trace the two wires coming in from the ESA (purple and gray if I remember right and short them together. If the engine stumbles ESA OK switch bad. Another way would be to get an Ohm Meter (DVM) and check the contact resistance of the switch. The ESA activate switch should close (short) when pressed. The over stroke switch is short and opens when activeted.<br /><br />The over stroke switch is connected in series with the ESA Activate switch. There are cams on the shift bracket so that once fully in gear the over stroke switch can be pressed which will open the ESA activate circuit once fully in gear to prevent stumbling when fully engaged. If this is not adjusted properly it can result in shifting at high RPMs and tearing up the L/U or shift sticking, stumbling and stalling etc. This must be working correctly and adjusted properly or you'll be frustrated to no end to say nothing of potentially tearing up your gears. If your not sure of this find someone who can do the setup. Follow the Stuart instructions and you'll be very happy with the results.

 

[vicsponjr]

Re: Cobra ESA Parts(?)

Thanks Ron. Boat still not for sale!<br />I tested the switch with continuity tester and it is good. I have to check the esa module now, well after work today. Should there be a part # on it so I can see if it it the right one for electonic ignition. Also, there is a red wire coming from the coil not hooked up to anything. Can't see if it should be hooked up anywhere.

 

[rbezdon]

Re: Cobra ESA Parts(?)

Looks like ESA bad or not wired right. There definately should not be a disconnected wire of any color. Two wires go to rear main wiring herness for power and Coil - to the ESA and two wires go to the shift bracket to the two Cherry switched which are wired in series, ESA Activate switch normally open and over stroke nomally closed. I think the power lead is purple, the coil - is grey and I think the switch wires are also purple and grey but I cant remember for sure. The red lead must be from the electronic ignition. If you have the Pretronix just get the CDI/Rapair 123-9898-P and be done with it. Plugs directly into the wire harnesses and uses the overstroke too which I found works much better that the timer version.

 

[vicsponjr]

Re: Cobra ESA Parts(?)

Called the local marine supply/shop today to get an estimate on taking care of this for me and the mechanic didn't seem to confident with OMC's. Said he could hook it up to shift like a merc. Also called Mike at Go2Marine. He said to try lowering the idle in gear as low as I could then try getting out of gear. If I still wasn't happy with it to replace the shift module with CDI/Rapair 123-9898-P like you said. I don't think the idle is going to get low enough with the cam thats in there. Idles at700 now. I'm just going to order the module and take it from there. While I'm waiting I can change the impeller and find out why the trim guage isn't working.

 

[vicsponjr]

Re: Cobra ESA Parts(?)

I pulled my module off and the # on it is 987571, below the # is 24-c-W, made in Mexico. Do these #'s sound familiar to anyone? Is this orinal module, a replacement old style, or the newer one for electronic ignition. I'm asking because I want to make sure its not bad wiring causing the problem. Boat is an '88. When I pulled the plug on the module the plug to the black wired pulled off the wire and looks a little corroded, like an old neg battery cable. I reconnected the wire and put the module back together but still nothing.