Shift interupter conversion

[clarkmcmp]

I have a 90 OMC Cobra with 5.0 Ford with points. I am having problems with the shifter. I changed out the interupter switch and believe the problem is in the interupter module. I bought a used module on ebay. It has 5 wires and mine has 4. I think this is for a later model with electronic ignition. Does anyone know how I can use this part and solve my problem

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Shift interupter conversion

What do you mean it has 5 wires, the ESA module should have two plugs, one with blue/black wires to go to the switches and one with a purple and grey(power and coil) there should also be a ground wire separate.

 

[KRS]

Re: Shift interupter conversion

What was the problem with the shifter?<br /><br />Was it difficult to put in neutral?

 

[clarkmcmp]

Re: Shift interupter conversion

The shifter was difficult going into neutral.<br /><br />The ESA Module I bought has one plug with a black-blue- violet-gray-and gray with black strip wires for a total of five wires, one plug.<br /><br />The ESA module on the boat has blue-black-purple-and gray wires I believe. I did not find the two plugs you spoke of Boatin Bob.

 

[clarkmcmp]

Re: Shift interupter conversion

I did read the report at www.hastings.org. What a great service this guy did for us OMC owners. I'd like to have him for a neighbor to walk over and talk to.

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Shift interupter conversion

Have a look at this parts diagram, it's the ESA for a 1990 5.0 ltr. See item # 62 plus 63 and 64. It shows the 2 plugs I spoke of along with the ground strap. Can you post the PN of what you had and what you bought also maybe the model number off your engine incase it's not a 1990? 1990 Cobra ESA Parts Diagram

 

[clarkmcmp]

Re: Shift interupter conversion

The diagram you sent me looks like the one on my boat. The part I bought 987564 V8 Ford 8 IR

 

[clarkmcmp]

Re: Shift interupter conversion

I did not know those were plugs when I saw them on my boat. This is my first season with this boat and I am still getting use to it and the way it is put together.

 

[clarkmcmp]

Re: Shift interupter conversion

Boatin Bob, where did you go. Its like people have real jobs to go do or something.

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Shift interupter conversion

Yep....sometimes the job gets in the way of having fun. As for your ESA module 987564 it looks like it's for 1992 model. I looked at the wiring diagrams for both and I honestly can't see how it will work with yours, it doesn't look like it will. Going back to your original ESA module. It's easy to test with the engine running in neutral, carefully lift up on the interupter switch, the engine should start to stumble and drop a few hundred RPM's, when you let go it will return to normal. If the ESA doesn't activate then you need to check the interupter and the overstroke switches, make sure you have power on the purple wire and the gray wire goes to the neg side of the coil, check all connectors for corrosion. Those 2 switches are actually wired in series with each other but the interupter is wired for NO (normally open) and the overstroke is wired for NC (normally closed) if the overstroke is open then the ESA won't work but it normally only opens while in gear, has a little push button activated by cams on the shift arm.

 

[clarkmcmp]

Re: Shift interupter conversion

Thank you for the advice. I will do some checking tomorrow. Clark

 

[KaGee]

Re: Shift interupter conversion

Check with CDI/RAPAIR for the exact replacement and dump the one you bought on EBay.

 

[clarkmcmp]

Re: Shift interupter conversion

Success finaly!! I took your advice Boatin Bob and checked with my meter. I finally realized the interupter and module were working, just not at the right time. I has about to start bending the switch arm when I remebered something from the Hastings Report about adjusting the Transom Shift Cable. Sure enough, that seems to be my problem. I did not have a ruler but will fine tume it later. Your advice allowed me to narrow it down to something I could handle. Thank you for taking the time to respond and KaGee too. Does anyone need an ESA Module for 92 OMC Ford 5.0. I have a used interupter switch too. Oh Well.

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Shift interupter conversion

Good, sounds like you are in the ballpark now, I would hang on to the switch, you know how it goes, as long as you have a spare you won't need one but maybe try eBay to sell the ESA to someone.

 

[KaGee]

Re: Shift interupter conversion

Originally posted by Boatin Bob:<br /> ...you know how it goes, as long as you have a spare you won't need one...

I've adopted that Philosophy as well... seems to be a good counter action to Murphy's antics.

 

[clarkmcmp]

Re: Shift interupter conversion

My excitement was premature. The problem has reoccured. I think it is an intermitting problem with the module. Ordered new one locally, $103. Will be here in a couple of days. <br /><br />'90 Sunbird Corsair 205, 5.0 OMC, 40MPH at 2900 RPM top end with 4 onboard. Whats wrong with these numbers? Dash gauges used.

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Shift interupter conversion

The 40mph sounds about right but the RPM's are too low for that speed, I would suspect a tach problem. What's the tach say at idle which should be somewhere around 650. Do you have a portable tach or can you borrow one to verify the dash one?

 

[clarkmcmp]

Re: Shift interupter conversion

I was thinking the same thing. Everything is stock that I know of. It idles around 600 to 700 though. I don't think I am getting a true reading at top end. My temp gauge does not work either. Have changed the sending unit. I did not mean to start a new thread. I wondered if this could all be related?

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Shift interupter conversion

You may want to unplug and check inside the big main harness connector at the back on top of the engine, these have been known to either come loose or develop some corrosion inside, just unplugging and pluging back together a few times might help.