Re: [OMC-Boats] Electrical problems

Edward & Scott,

Let's begin this answer with some assumptions (which may OR MAY NOT be
true.) This answer will attempt to help you understand how to
troubleshoot your existing problem and also offer some important areas
in which you could modify or upgrade the safety and reliability of
your boat using available components.

BACKGROUND:

OMC added the 5-wire (vs 3-wire) STARTER INTERLOCK feature in 1969,
or both the single-lever Johnson (Electamatic) /OMC (Shift-elect) and
the push-button Evinrude (Selectric) remote helm controls. The
"neutral safety" or "cut-out" switch is incorporated inside the remote
control until. To determine which type you have without opening the
remote control, simply inspect the wiring connector for either three
or five conductors. If there are a pair of white wires, you have the 5-
wire, STARTER INTERLOCK remote control.

So only the last two years of OMC BOAT production have that important
safety feature designed to PREVENT starting the engine with the drive
gear clutches engaged (in either FORWARD or REVERSE.) (Electrically
the various shifter types are schematically identical. But only the
later (improved) 5-wire types can affect starting. The principal is
no different than the PARK-NEUTRAL, shifter interlock found on
automatic transmission vehicles or the CLUTCH-ENGAGED saftey switch
required on manual shift vehicles).

So assuming Edward's boat is the still the original (pre-1969 type ),
3-wire shifter, Scott, your suggestion simply doesn't apply. (But,
it's a VERY good safety feature to retrofit on these older models). I
converted my 1966 Evinrude (push-button) 3-wire to a 5-wire OMC
(single-lever) style and prefer it for the peace of mind. But Scott's
right about one thing -- Every once in awhile, I do have to recheck
the throttle position when trying to start, simply to "RESET" the
safety interlock switch.

So Edward, back to your NO-START issue:

Some Basic electric stuff that can effect a "No-Start" Situation:
STARTER MOTOR (including internal brushes), STARTER RELAY (solenoid)
(part of starter motor), (IGN) switch, STARTER ASSIST RELAY (solenoid)
(this is an identical part to the OMC Tilt relays -- I carry a spare
onboard), AMMETER, ALL WIRES & CONNECTORS, MASTER DISCONNECT SWITCH
(Some OMC Boats), FUSE, and BATTERY.

If you have the ability to visually read electrical schematics you may
find this helpful:
http://hhscott.com/evinrude/images/wiring/68_v6_ALL_WIRE.jpg

YOUR QUESTION:
As you read this diagram you will find the answer to your question:

>> "Are they any inline fuses between the ignition switch and the
starter?" <<

THE ANSWER:
The short answer is NO, at least not technically between the switch
and starter as ORIGINALLY factory built). The IGN fuse (located in
your fuse panel) is located between the ammeter and the switch (BAT)
position. If the fuse is BLOWN or MISSING, it will effect ALL IGNITION
Functions (including ON and START). And you stated that you observed
electrical power, elsewhere, right?

So I would begin looking at the following and in this ORDER:

1) FULLY CHARGED (and LOAD-TESTED) BATTERY ( at least 12.5 V DC
resting voltage)
2) FUNCTIONING STARTER ASSIST RELAY (DOES IT EVEN CLICK or CHATTER
when engaging START position on IGN Switch?)
3) ALL WIRING & CONNECTORS MUST BE CLEAN AND CORROSION FREE (DO
FORGET ALL GROUNDS, as well).
4) STARTER MOTOR/STARTER RELAY ASSEMBLY (CAUTION: DO NOT REPLACE
with non-MARINE rated automotive type starters, see below:
http://www.boatpartsinfo.com/boat-starters.html

UPGRADES:
On my boat, I found the wiring "harness" between the starter motor and
the starter assist relay was "brittle" and the connectors were
corroded. It was relatively easy and inexpensive to refurbish this "
wiring harness." While I was "down in that rather difficult-to-reach
neighborhood, I replaced the starter assist relay, for cheap
reliability insurance and then for weight savings I replaced the
original starter motor. The newer design motors are also more
efficient, and they draw less electrical current under starting loads,
prolonging battery and alternator charging component life.

Also if you do decide you need an improved/new starter motor, (the
original GM Delco-Remy (10MT-series) starter motor weighs a ton - use
it for an anchor!) there are several MARINE-RATED (conforming to the
SAE-J1171 standard) that feature higher-torque and much lighter
weight. Just make sure your replacement starter is a suitable
(physical/electrical) replacement for your OMC starter by your OMC
part number. You don't want a replacement starter motor that spins you
engine backwards!

On Jun 27, 2009, at 7:46 PM, Scott Veazie wrote:

> Edward,
>
> This might be a stupid question, but it's gotten me before. Are you
> sure you're gear selector is in neutral? If not, it won't start.
> Happened to me once upon a time with my '70 Seasport...
>
>
> ~Scott
>
> > Date: Sat, 27 Jun 2009 17:54:49 -0700
> > From: tomatu69@...
> > To: omc-boats@...
> > Subject: Re: [OMC-Boats] Electrical problems
> >
> >
> > Hi, All
> >
> > I'm working on restoring my 68/Seasport/V6/155Hp. My problem is
> that I'm not able to turn the engine over using the ignition switch.
> I have power everywhere else. Before you tell me to get a new
> switch, the question is. "Are they any inline fuses between the
> ignition switch and the starter?"
> >
> > Thanks
> >
> > Edward
> >
> > --- On Sat, 6/27/09, omc-boats-request@... <omc-boats-request@...
> > wrote:
> >
> > > From: omc-boats-request@... <omc-boats-request@...
> >
> > > Subject: OMC-Boats Digest, Vol 26, Issue 67
> > > To: omc-boats@...
> > > Date: Saturday, June 27, 2009, 11:00 AM
> > > Send OMC-Boats mailing list
> > > submissions to
> > > omc-boats@...
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> > > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help'
> > > to
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> > >
> > > You can reach the person managing the list at
> > > omc-boats-owner@...
> > >
> > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more
> > > specific
> > > than "Re: Contents of OMC-Boats digest..."
> > >
> > >
> > > Today's Topics:
> > >
> > > 1. Re: Carb Issue? Or maybe Water issue?
> > > (BLDFW)
> > > 2. Re: Carb Issue? Or maybe Water issue?
> > > (heavy)
> > > 3. Re: Carb Issue? Or maybe Water issue?
> > > (rees4@...)
> > > 4. Re: Carb Issue? Or maybe Water issue?
> > > (john faulhaber)
> > > 5. 1965 Evinrude Sweet-16 (James Potter)
> > >
> > >
> > >
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> > >
> > > Message: 1
> > > Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 16:27:58 -0700 (PDT)
> > > From: BLDFW <bldfw@...>
> > > Subject: Re: [OMC-Boats] Carb Issue? Or maybe Water issue?
> > > To: "Evinrude & Johnson Boats of the 1960's and 70's"
> > > <omc-boats@...>
> > > Message-ID: <461844.62920.qm@...>
> > > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
> > >
> > > You might also check the points to insure you don't have
> > > point float going on.? Point float usually occurs at higher
> > > rpm's and is caused by a lack of adequate point spring
> > > tension causing the points to sometime not close all the
> > > way.
> > >
> > > -Bill
> > > Dallas, TX
> > > 1970 Evinrude Explorer - 155 Buick V6 - OMC Sterndrive
> > > http://www.photobucket/evinrude_explorer
> > >
> > > --- On Fri, 6/26/09, Jeff LaCoste <heavy@...>
> > > wrote:
> > >
> > > From: Jeff LaCoste <heavy@...>
> > > Subject: [OMC-Boats] Carb Issue? Or maybe Water issue?
> > > To: "Evinrude & Johnson Boats of the 1960's and 70's"
> > > <omc-boats@...>
> > > Date: Friday, June 26, 2009, 5:41 PM
> > >
> > > After many weeks of slower rides around the lake, last week
> > > I took the 1964 Johnson Deluxe V6 155hp out into open water
> > > to run it and see what would happen. Got off to a slow start
> > > and steadily climbed up to 3/4 throttle for a couple miles
> > > when it started to cough, once, then twice, so we slowed and
> > > turned back for the dock. It seemed to be running smooth
> > > once again, so we increased the speed and once again it
> > > coughed and sputtered.
> > >
> > > We took off the cover and idled for a bit and after a while
> > > it quit and wouldn't start. We waited and tried again but
> > > nothing. We thought maybe over heating, or no gas. We
> > > noticed the Barr exhaust manifolds were a little warmer than
> > > usual, bottom hoses were warm, top were cooler. Thermostat
> > > was replaced last year. We were getting good flow from the
> > > back stream. Water flow seemed a little low in the large
> > > water Gates hose when squeezed.
> > >
> > > When cranking the engine we couldn't see much fuel going
> > > into the carb. Fuel was supplied by a 6 gallon tank
> > > (temporary while refurbishing the old tank) connected to the
> > > mechanical fuel pump.
> > >
> > > The other day I go out to start troubleshooting, get in the
> > > boat, turn on the water to the stern drive, and it fires
> > > right up! Go figure.
> > >
> > > Could be overheating. Maybe the float needs to be adjusted,
> > > if so do I bend the tang up or down? Last year I replaced
> > > the float with a new one that had a pinhole.
> > >
> > > anyone have any thoughts before I try it out again this
> > > weekend?
> > >
> > > thanks.
> > > Jeff
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > -----Inline Attachment Follows-----
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > OMC-Boats mailing list
> > > OMC-Boats@...
> > > http://lists.ultimate.com/mailman/listinfo/omc-boats
> > > -------------- next part --------------
> > > An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
> > > URL: <http://lists.ultimate.com/mailman/private/omc-boats/attachments/20090626/d7a163cb/attachment-0001.html
> >
> > >
> > > ------------------------------
> > >
> > > Message: 2
> > > Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 20:36:21 -0400
> > > From: "heavy" <heavy@...>
> > > Subject: Re: [OMC-Boats] Carb Issue? Or maybe Water issue?
> > > To: "Evinrude & Johnson Boats of the 1960's and 70's"
> > > <omc-boats@...>
> > > Message-ID: <5b39de13$5273706f$604e2b74$@...>
> > > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
> > >
> > > Thanks for the replies everyone. I believe we did look at
> > > the Gas Cap Valve
> > > and it seemed to be getting air. I will definitely keep a
> > > close eye on that
> > > next time out.
> > > We did have an issue with the points a while back, no
> > > spark, so we cleaned
> > > off the contact and that did the trick. I'll pop the cap
> > > and check the
> > > spring tension, I wonder if there is an adjustment for this
> > > or something
> > > that would just need to be replaced.
> > > J
> > >
> > > ----------------------------------------
> > > From: "BLDFW" <bldfw@...>
> > > Sent: Friday, June 26, 2009 4:55 PM
> > > To: "Evinrude & Johnson Boats of the 1960's and 70's"
> > > <omc-boats@...>
> > > Subject: Re: [OMC-Boats] Carb Issue? Or maybe Water issue?
> > >
> > >
> > > You might also check the points to insure you don't have
> > > point float going
> > > on. Point float usually occurs at higher rpm's and is
> > > caused by a lack of
> > > adequate point spring tension causing the points to
> > > sometime not close all
> > > the way.
> > >
> > > -Bill
> > > Dallas, TX
> > > 1970 Evinrude Explorer - 155 Buick V6 - OMC Sterndrive
> > > http://www.photobucket/evinrude_explorer
> > >
> > > --- On Fri, 6/26/09, Jeff LaCoste <heavy@...>
> > > wrote:
> > >
> > > From: Jeff LaCoste <heavy@...>
> > > Subject: [OMC-Boats] Carb Issue? Or maybe Water issue?
> > > To: "Evinrude & Johnson Boats of the 1960's and 70's"
> > > <omc-boats@...>
> > > Date: Friday, June 26, 2009, 5:41 PM
> > >
> > > After many weeks of slower rides
> > > around the lake, last week I took the 1964 Johnson Deluxe
> > > V6 155hp out
> > > into open water to run it and see what would happen. Got
> > > off to a slow
> > > start and steadily climbed up to 3/4 throttle for a couple
> > > miles when it
> > > started to cough, once, then twice, so we slowed and turned
> > > back for the
> > > dock. It seemed to be running smooth once again, so we
> > > increased the speed
> > > and once again it coughed and sputtered.
> > >
> > > We took off the cover and idled for a bit and after a while
> > > it quit and
> > > wouldn't start. We waited and tried again but nothing. We
> > > thought maybe
> > > over heating, or no gas. We noticed the Barr exhaust
> > > manifolds were a
> > > little warmer than usual, bottom hoses were warm, top were
> > > cooler.
> > > Thermostat was replaced last year. We were getting good
> > > flow from the back
> > > stream. Water flow seemed a little low in the large water
> > > Gates hose when
> > > squeezed.
> > >
> > > When cranking the engine we couldn't see much fuel going
> > > into the carb.
> > > Fuel was supplied by a 6 gallon tank
> > > (temporary while refurbishing the old tank) connected to
> > > the mechanical
> > > fuel pump.
> > >
> > > The other day I go out to start troubleshooting, get in the
> > > boat, turn on
> > > the water to the stern drive, and it fires right up! Go
> > > figure.
> > >
> > > Could be overheating. Maybe the float needs to be adjusted,
> > > if so do I bend
> > > the tang up or down? Last year I replaced the float with a
> > > new one that had
> > > a pinhole.
> > >
> > > anyone have any thoughts before I try it out again this
> > > weekend?
> > >
> > > thanks.
> > > Jeff
> > >
> > > -----Inline Attachment Follows-----
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > OMC-Boats mailing list
> > > OMC-Boats@...
> > > http://lists.ultimate.com/mailman/listinfo/omc-boats
> > >
> > >
> > > -------------- next part --------------
> > > An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
> > > URL: <http://lists.ultimate.com/mailman/private/omc-boats/attachments/20090626/32990b2a/attachment-0001.html
> >
> > >
> > > ------------------------------
> > >
> > > Message: 3
> > > Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 23:54:46 +0000
> > > From: <rees4@...>
> > > Subject: Re: [OMC-Boats] Carb Issue? Or maybe Water issue?
> > > To: "Evinrude & Johnson Boats of the 1960's and 70's"
> > > <omc-boats@...>
> > > Message-ID:
> > > <20090626235446.86REQ.237047.root@...>
> > > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
> > >
> > > Hi,
> > > My 6 gal temp tank has a vent that you unscrew to let air
> > > into the tank. wonder if yours is open so you don't draw a
> > > vacuum on the system ?
> > > Ed Rees
> > >
> > > ---- Jeff LaCoste <heavy@...>
> > > wrote:
> > > > After many weeks of slower rides around the lake, last
> > > week I took
> > > > the 1964 Johnson Deluxe V6 155hp out into open water
> > > to run it and
> > > > see what would happen. Got off to a slow start and
> > > steadily climbed
> > > > up to 3/4 throttle for a couple miles when it started
> > > to cough, once,
> > > > then twice, so we slowed and turned back for the dock.
> > > It seemed to
> > > > be running smooth once again, so we increased the
> > > speed and once
> > > > again it coughed and sputtered.
> > > >
> > > > We took off the cover and idled for a bit and after a
> > > while it quit
> > > > and wouldn't start. We waited and tried again but
> > > nothing. We thought
> > > > maybe over heating, or no gas. We noticed the Barr
> > > exhaust manifolds
> > > > were a little warmer than usual, bottom hoses were
> > > warm, top were
> > > > cooler. Thermostat was replaced last year. We were
> > > getting good flow
> > > > from the back stream. Water flow seemed a little low
> > > in the large
> > > > water Gates hose when squeezed.
> > > >
> > > > When cranking the engine we couldn't see much fuel
> > > going into the
> > > > carb. Fuel was supplied by a 6 gallon tank (temporary
> > > while
> > > > refurbishing the old tank) connected to the mechanical
> > > fuel pump.
> > > >
> > > > The other day I go out to start troubleshooting, get
> > > in the boat,
> > > > turn on the water to the stern drive, and it fires
> > > right up! Go figure.
> > > >
> > > > Could be overheating. Maybe the float needs to be
> > > adjusted, if so do
> > > > I bend the tang up or down? Last year I replaced the
> > > float with a new
> > > > one that had a pinhole.
> > > >
> > > > anyone have any thoughts before I try it out again
> > > this weekend?
> > > >
> > > > thanks.
> > > > Jeff
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > ------------------------------
> > >
> > > Message: 4
> > > Date: Sat, 27 Jun 2009 05:27:54 -0700 (PDT)
> > > From: john faulhaber <jkf147@...>
> > > Subject: Re: [OMC-Boats] Carb Issue? Or maybe Water issue?
> > > To: heavy@...,
> > > "Evinrude & Johnson Boats of the 1960's and
> > > 70's" <omc-boats@...>
> > > Message-ID: <120361.492.qm@...>
> > > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
> > >
> > > I had the same problem with my boat, it seems that the gas
> > > lines had become soft from the gas additives of today and
> > > would collapse under heavy throttle. You might want to check
> > > all the rubber gas lines....jkf
> > >
> > > --- On Fri, 6/26/09, heavy <heavy@...>
> > > wrote:
> > >
> > >
> > > From: heavy <heavy@...>
> > > Subject: Re: [OMC-Boats] Carb Issue? Or maybe Water issue?
> > > To: "Evinrude & Johnson Boats of the 1960's and 70's"
> > > <omc-boats@...>
> > > Date: Friday, June 26, 2009, 8:36 PM
> > >
> > >
> > > Thanks for the replies everyone. I believe we did look at
> > > the Gas Cap Valve and it seemed to be getting air. I will
> > > definitely keep a close eye on that next time out.?
> > >
> > >
> > > We did have an issue with the points a while back, no
> > > spark, so we cleaned off the contact and that did the trick.
> > > I'll pop the cap and check the spring tension, I wonder if
> > > there is an adjustment for this or something that would just
> > > need to be replaced.
> > >
> > >
> > > J
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > From: "BLDFW" <bldfw@...>
> > > Sent: Friday, June 26, 2009 4:55 PM
> > > To: "Evinrude & Johnson Boats of the 1960's and 70's"
> > > <omc-boats@...>
> > > Subject: Re: [OMC-Boats] Carb Issue? Or maybe Water issue?
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > You might also check the points to insure you don't have
> > > point float going on.? Point float usually occurs at higher
> > > rpm's and is caused by a lack of adequate point spring
> > > tension causing the points to sometime not close all the
> > > way.
> > >
> > > -Bill
> > > Dallas, TX
> > > 1970 Evinrude Explorer - 155 Buick V6 - OMC Sterndrive
> > > http://www.photobucket/evinrude_explorer
> > >
> > > --- On Fri, 6/26/09, Jeff LaCoste <heavy@...>
> > > wrote:
> > >
> > >
> > > From: Jeff LaCoste <heavy@...>
> > > Subject: [OMC-Boats] Carb Issue? Or maybe Water issue?
> > > To: "Evinrude & Johnson Boats of the 1960's and 70's"
> > > <omc-boats@...>
> > > Date: Friday, June 26, 2009, 5:41 PM
> > >
> > >
> > > After many weeks of slower rides around the lake, last week
> > > I took the 1964 Johnson Deluxe V6 155hp out into open water
> > > to run it and see what would happen. Got off to a slow start
> > > and steadily climbed up to 3/4 throttle for a couple miles
> > > when it started to cough, once, then twice, so we slowed and
> > > turned back for the dock. It seemed to be running smooth
> > > once again, so we increased the speed and once again it
> > > coughed and sputtered.
> > >
> > > We took off the cover and idled for a bit and after a while
> > > it quit and wouldn't start. We waited and tried again but
> > > nothing. We thought maybe over heating, or no gas. We
> > > noticed the Barr exhaust manifolds were a little warmer than
> > > usual, bottom hoses were warm, top were cooler. Thermostat
> > > was replaced last year. We were getting good flow from the
> > > back stream. Water flow seemed a little low in the large
> > > water Gates hose when squeezed.
> > >
> > > When cranking the engine we couldn't see much fuel going
> > > into the carb. Fuel was supplied by a 6 gallon tank
> > > (temporary while refurbishing the old tank) connected to the
> > > mechanical fuel pump.
> > >
> > > The other day I go out to start troubleshooting, get in the
> > > boat, turn on the water to the stern drive, and it fires
> > > right up! Go figure.
> > >
> > > Could be overheating. Maybe the float needs to be adjusted,
> > > if so do I bend the tang up or down? Last year I replaced
> > > the float with a new one that had a pinhole.
> > >
> > > anyone have any thoughts before I try it out again this
> > > weekend?
> > >
> > > thanks.
> > > Jeff
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > -----Inline Attachment Follows-----
> > >
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > OMC-Boats mailing list
> > > OMC-Boats@...
> > > http://lists.ultimate.com/mailman/listinfo/omc-boats
> > >
> > >
> > > -----Inline Attachment Follows-----
> > >
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > OMC-Boats mailing list
> > > OMC-Boats@...
> > > http://lists.ultimate.com/mailman/listinfo/omc-boats
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > -------------- next part --------------
> > > An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
> > > URL: <http://lists.ultimate.com/mailman/private/omc-boats/attachments/20090627/85c7abbd/attachment-0001.html
> >
> > >
> > > ------------------------------
> > >
> > > Message: 5
> > > Date: Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:13:31 -0500
> > > From: "James Potter" <jepotter@...>
> > > Subject: [OMC-Boats] 1965 Evinrude Sweet-16
> > > To: <omc-boats@...>
> > > Message-ID: <B077AC1D17504BC2AADEA3F2D9590EF4@...>
> > > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="windows-1252"
> > >
> > > The boat is finished and purr's like a kitten. However, I
> > > still need the Pontoon over this one. Email me for
> > > specifics and photos, and make your best offer.
> > > Jim
> > > -------------- next part --------------
> > > An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
> > > URL: <http://lists.ultimate.com/mailman/private/omc-boats/attachments/20090627/9c51df16/attachment-0001.html
> >
> > >
> > > ------------------------------
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > OMC-Boats mailing list
> > > OMC-Boats@...
> > > http://lists.ultimate.com/mailman/listinfo/omc-boats
> > >
> > >
> > > End of OMC-Boats Digest, Vol 26, Issue 67
> > > *****************************************
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > OMC-Boats mailing list
> > OMC-Boats@...
> > http://lists.ultimate.com/mailman/listinfo/omc-boats
>
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Received on Sunday, 28 June 2009