Got towed in again...really need some help!

agood1

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Sep 8, 2004
Messages
46
I have been fighting this problem for a while now...I thought I had it fixed with a bad ignition switch...NOT..<br />I took the family out today and we made about a 1/2 hour run and stopped by to visit some friends....we spent about another 1/2 hour with the engine off. It restarted fine and as we were pulling away from the dock...it died....and would not restart. I got towed back to the dock and let it sit for about 2 hours and it fired up again....I drove it back to the trailer....about a 20 min run and it made it all the way back no problem....<br />I hate wasting a long planned day on the lake messing wiht this motor....I also hate to chase problems with parts...especially as expensive as some can get...but that may be my only choice.<br /><br />While troublshooting at the dock...I did check for spark and there was none...so I know it is electrical...Should I replace the power pack or the stator or both? Or could it be something else?<br />Thanks...I really need some suggestions here.....<br /><br />Oh! and one more thing... I did notice that when it restarted it seem so be running poorly for a few minutes...and would not rev up with the cold start throttle...but after a min or so it came up and then ran fine all the way back to the trailer.....May have just been flooded.<br />It is a 1990 90HP V4 Johnson.<br />Thanks again.
 

Jonahw

Cadet
Joined
Sep 25, 2004
Messages
13
Re: Got towed in again...really need some help!

If you have a manual there are a few checks in the troubleshooting section that can narrow down which part of the electrical may be the problem. I have the clymer and it is in chapter 3.
 

v12mac

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Oct 30, 2003
Messages
502
Re: Got towed in again...really need some help!

Did you confirm it wasn't the ignition wiring up to the switch? I learnt a good trick the other day on Iboats (thanks Joe R) If you pull apart the big red connector you can isolate most of the igniton. Use a small piece of wire to jump the solinoid. Re-check spark. <br /><br />This littel gem helped me track down an igniton type problem.<br /><br />Now I am not a mechanic but loosing spark on a warm motor and it miseriously comes back after cooling would send me to test the coils first. <br /><br />Don't just start swapping parts, it gets expensive, I've tried that route before!<br /><br />Mac
 

agood1

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Sep 8, 2004
Messages
46
Re: Got towed in again...really need some help!

I know it is not the ignition switch or the wiring harness. Why? Becuase I removed this motor from another boat where it was having the exact same probem. I did not however remove the controls or wiring harness. I now have this engine installed on another boat with a completely different wiring harness and remote control with a new ignition. The harness is different from the big red connector inside the engine cover all the way to the driver control. <br /><br />I have looked at the Seloc Manual I have but the tests seem really complicated and need special tools....I would hope someone here can help me cut to the chase and make sense of the testing proceedures.<br /><br />Thanks
 

Barnacle_Bill

Admiral
Joined
Feb 8, 2004
Messages
6,469
Re: Got towed in again...really need some help!

I had the same problem on an old Evinrude. It was the power pack. Electronics can break down from heat and then work again when they cool off. Back in my TV repairing days we would spray a suspected component with "freeze" to cool it off faster. I've never tried that on a power pack. It would probably take a lot of spraying to penetrate it.
 

seahorse5

Rear Admiral
Joined
Jan 24, 2002
Messages
4,698
Re: Got towed in again...really need some help!

Here is a link that may help you out. If it is too complicated, I would recommend the services of a QUALIFIED technician.<br /><br /> http://outboardparts.com/troubleshooting/troubleshooting6.htm <br /><br />I would guess that the power pack is breaking down after running a while, but either spending the bucks to buy a new one, or getting it tested correctly to find out for sure would be the way to go. Either way will cost you some bucks.
 

Jonahw

Cadet
Joined
Sep 25, 2004
Messages
13
Re: Got towed in again...really need some help!

If you are at a dead end, let me know and I will scan in the tests from my manual they are easy to follow and all you need is a multimeter and a few test leads. my wifes e-mail (my home e-mail) is Nrsmandy@hawaii.rr.com.
 

Barnacle_Bill

Admiral
Joined
Feb 8, 2004
Messages
6,469
Re: Got towed in again...really need some help!

Those tests are all well and good, however, they would have to be done when there is no spark. Best test would be to borrow someone's power pack if possible.
 

agood1

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Sep 8, 2004
Messages
46
Re: Got towed in again...really need some help!

Yea I read thru my manual again and I could probably do the tests if I had a DVA...but I would have to somehow make the bad component fail before I could test it. That would be difficult and by the time I buy a DVA to test..I can almost buy a new power pack...I priced them and they are only abou $95. <br />SO my question is now...do I start with replacing the power pack or the stator or the timing ring or the coils........or all of them?
 

v12mac

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Oct 30, 2003
Messages
502
Re: Got towed in again...really need some help!

Do you see any goo leaking out of the stator?<br />Mac
 

fireman57

Captain
Joined
Aug 24, 2004
Messages
3,811
Re: Got towed in again...really need some help!

I would buy a powerpack (they are cheaper here than at the dealer) and go out and run the engine. When it dies, check and see which plug is wet and replace that powerpack. Of course, you will shoot yourself if the engine is merely flooded.
 

agood1

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Sep 8, 2004
Messages
46
Re: Got towed in again...really need some help!

I ordered a power pack this morning...from outboardparts.com....I hope this will solve the problem....will post my results.
 

Hotrods

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
May 30, 2004
Messages
311
Re: Got towed in again...really need some help!

Im going with the stator, Same problem I had. My wrench (380$) later told me that’s the most likely candidate for sporadic spark. So I took it to him to trouble shot and that’s what it was.
 

AaronG

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 22, 2004
Messages
234
Re: Got towed in again...really need some help!

My 1974 115 had the same problem. I losened every connection, sprayed it with De-Ox It, and its been fine ever since.
 

agood1

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Sep 8, 2004
Messages
46
Re: Got towed in again...really need some help!

I installed the power pack and the motor runs fine on the trailer....and starts noticably faster...but can't really tell if the problem is resolved until I put it in the water and run it under a load. <br />Hotrod....my stator looked really good...like it might have been replaced sometime during the life of the engine...but the power pack was the original one....I just have to hope this fixes it.
 

fireman57

Captain
Joined
Aug 24, 2004
Messages
3,811
Re: Got towed in again...really need some help!

Let us know and good luck.
 

agood1

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Sep 8, 2004
Messages
46
Re: Got towed in again...really need some help!

DID NOT WORK!!!!!....I am so frustrated....Put the boat in the water....ran about 3/4 throttle for about 10 minutes and the motor quit....like I switched the key off.....surprisingly it re-started and I kept going at about 1/2 throttle for another 20 minutes and stopped for a minute...shut off the motor and it would not re-start....I had to leave it as it was getting dark. I have to assume that when I go back it will restart no problem.....<br /><br />Now what do I do? Stator? I really need some help here...Thanks.
 

fireman57

Captain
Joined
Aug 24, 2004
Messages
3,811
Re: Got towed in again...really need some help!

When it will not start have you checked for spark? If no cylinders are sparking then I would have to say you have a wiring problem. Loose connection, bad ground, or weak wire somewhere. I know you said that the wiring was all different in you first post. I would recheck all of it. If you have spark then it has to be a fuel problem. Piece of gunk that stops up a jet or maybe a fuel delivery problem. Is there a way to have a shop or a local wrench check your stator? I think we are all like you in that we are running out of ideas.
 

agood1

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Sep 8, 2004
Messages
46
Re: Got towed in again...really need some help!

I do not have spark....so I am sure it is electrical....but not sure how a bad wire would work fine when the engine is cold and stop when the engine is hot.<br /><br />I notice that it always does a little "sneeze" before it quits and won't restart.<br /><br />Can the stator be tested when not mounted on the enging? I still don't know how they would troubleshoot this problem since I never know when it is going to fail.....The previous owner of this motor had it in the shop for over a month and they re-built the carbs and replaced the thermostats....they were not able to make it fail....I guess becuase they never put it in the water and ran it for any length of time...and did not want to have a technician stranded in the water when it did quit.<br /><br />So what else is left? Stator and trigger right....I would think if a coil was going bad that I would just loose a cylinder...not the whole ignition system....Right?
 
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