SHOCKING Outboard Question...

[GilligansIsland]

I've been lurking and have picked up a bunch of stuff from you guys... thanks.

I can't seem to find an answer to these questions though:

I have an Evinrude Junior outboard that often shocks me when adjusting the throttle lever. The previous owner thought it was a leak from the spark plug wire, which made sense. I have now changed that wire, points, condensor and coil and it's still shocking me.

Any ideas?...

Also, there is a clip on the underside that the throttle lever will engage at full throttle. I'm curious as to what this clip is supposed to be for. This will also spark when the metal throttle lever engages the clip.

 

[F_R]

Re: SHOCKING Outboard Question...

There is supposed to be a ground wire on the magneto armature plate-to engine ground. Is it there?

Exploded parts view at http://shop.evinrude.com/

 

[GilligansIsland]

Re: SHOCKING Outboard Question...

I'm not sure. Don't see it in the diagram here. Is the magneto armature part no. 5 in the schematic? Is 26 the ground wire you are talking about?... where would it connect exactly?

 

[Rick.]

Re: SHOCKING Outboard Question...

I am not familiar with your engine so I don't know exactly where the ground wire would connect. Over the years I have found when looking for spark to ground problems it is best done in the dark of night. Much easier to see. Best of luck. Rick.

 

[trelos05]

Re: SHOCKING Outboard Question...

Gilligan,

Little buddy as your skipper I had the same problem with a mecury motor when we got off the island. Turned out the ignition switch had some salt water in it, when the nmotor running would give me an almighty belt. Spray some water dispersant into it let us know how you go.

Cheers

 

[GilligansIsland]

Re: SHOCKING Outboard Question...

When you say Ignition, is that everything under the flywheel?

Thanks for the help guys. It's always nice to have some place like this to go for help.

 

[F_R]

Re: SHOCKING Outboard Question...

I'm not sure. Don't see it in the diagram here. Is the magneto armature part no. 5 in the schematic? Is 26 the ground wire you are talking about?... where would it connect exactly?

#26 is the ground wire. If my memory is correct, it connects to one of the bolts holding the flat exhaust plate on the side of the powerhead.

Note that the armature plate is mounted on a plastic bushing, #30. That provides a friction-free mount so you can move it back and forth to control speed. But it also insulates it from the powerhead. Now...electricity always flows in a circuit. That is, it always returns back to the source. So electricity flows from the armature plate & coil, through the spark plug wire, to the spark plug, jumps the spark plug gap to the powerhead, and then must return to the armature plate. If there is a high resistance (plastic bushing) on the way to the armature plate, the electricity flows through the next best route---YOU. That is the reason for the ground wire.

 

[GilligansIsland]

Re: SHOCKING Outboard Question...

Thanks for the explanation. I checked and the ground wire is hooked up as you say. I was really hoping to find it rotted to nothing... but now the problem continues and I'm still confused.

 

[bignefan]

Re: SHOCKING Outboard Question...

Just because it not rotted at the connections does mean it not broken in the rubber.I had that problem with a fuel gauge wire,replaced everything but the wire to figure it was the wire.Try a jumper to test

 

[EricJRW]

Re: SHOCKING Outboard Question...

Time to break out the ohm meter...

One you understand which paths should be open (infinite resistance/ohms) and closed (0 resistance/ohms) it would be worth probing around to see if you can find where the electricity is leaking. As mentioned above, it's has a path... Might only present itself when the engine is running, so taking a peak when it's dark was a good idea too. If you see any sparking*, that needs to be fixed.

* I had a motorcycle that stopped running when it rained. I lived in Florida, so it rained a lot. Unlike Billy Joel, I tried to never ride in the rain. I did not know what the problem was until I got caught in the rain at night. It was arcing like crazy. A new spark plug wire solved the problem.

 

[GilligansIsland]

Re: SHOCKING Outboard Question...

I wish I understood this stuff enough to break out the Ohm meter. I'll look for arching as you suggest as well as look more closely at insulation.


Thanks again, guys.

 

[GilligansIsland]

Re: SHOCKING Outboard Question...

Just because it not rotted at the connections does mean it not broken in the rubber.I had that problem with a fuel gauge wire,replaced everything but the wire to figure it was the wire.Try a jumper to test

What's that? Do I just use some scrap wire and jump the two points of current ground wire contact and see if it solves the problem?

 

[bignefan]

Re: SHOCKING Outboard Question...

yup cheap and easy, to test