2001 Evinrude 250 HP FFI Problems

[Rob B]

Better get one of these as well, just in case http://www.evinrude.com/en-US/Engines/ETEC_HO/ETEC_15_HO

Just kidding with you rob, those 250HO motors look sweet! That is what was on the 2400LD I looked at

I've got enough room for a kicker motor!!! I might add a mercury kicker motor instead.

 

[Rob B]

Another update: I did a test on the solenoid yesterday and found it's bad. According to the manual: the meter should show no continuity when touching the two main terminals on top of the solenoid with no power. If the switch is closed with no power applied to the terminals, the soleniod is stuck closed and must be replaced. My meter had a reading, so my understanding is if the solenoid was open it would show no continuity on the meter. I've got a bad soleniod switch. My question is: would this cause my motor to crank then shut off?

 

[groundloop]

Another update: I did a test on the solenoid yesterday and found it's bad. According to the manual: the meter should show no continuity when touching the two main terminals on top of the solenoid with no power. If the switch is closed with no power applied to the terminals, the soleniod is stuck closed and must be replaced. My meter had a reading, so my understanding is if the solenoid was open it would show no continuity on the meter. I've got a bad soleniod switch. My question is: would this cause my motor to crank then shut off?

That doesn't add up. How much resistance did you measure?

A solenoid's normal mode of failure is where the contacts go bad and have a high resistance when closed, causing less voltage than normal to get to the starter. In rare instances a solenoid contact can weld itself closed, which would cause the starter to always be energized and to burn out in short order. Are you positive you weren't measuring the resistance of the solenoid's coil or else the starter windings?


Edit to add: After thinking about it while I had my morning coffee, if the battery was connected when you measured resistance across the contacts you'd see some kind of reading which would be related to the battery's internal resistance plus the starter winding's resistance.

 

[Rob B]

That doesn't add up. How much resistance did you measure?

A solenoid's normal mode of failure is where the contacts go bad and have a high resistance when closed, causing less voltage than normal to get to the starter. In rare instances a solenoid contact can weld itself closed, which would cause the starter to always be energized and to burn out in short order. Are you positive you weren't measuring the resistance of the solenoid's coil or else the starter windings?

That a good question. This is what I did based on the manual: Set the DVOM to read resistance, then connect the probs across the 2 large terminals on either end or either side of the soleniod, These are the main switches to which the positive battery cable and the red starter cable normally attach. The meter should show no continuity. If the switch is closed with no power applied to the signal terminals, the soleniod is stuck closed and must be replaced. So did I do this right? I'll try to post the pdf of the manual.

 

[groundloop]

Repeat that same measurement with the battery disconnected and see if you get either infinite resistance or a very high reading (indicating that the solenoid contact isn't shorted). If you've got a shorted contact the reading would be just a few Ohms.

 

[ndaniels]

Robbie, groundloop got you going the right way- when checking oms, you need to isolate the selenoid- disconnect the cable on both sides of the terminals, then check it...

also, for checking to see if its contacts are good you can measure for voltage drop by placing the leads across the terminals when its closed (turned on) should show no voltage- because the volts are the same on both sides of the terminals if the contacts are good... you probably already know that, but I figured I'd throw it in there.

 

[Rob B]

I've exhausted all my efforts to get this POS Evinrude running, so tomorrow the boat will be taken to a BRP Tech to have the motor looked at. I'm prepared to get bent over with no reach around. I even had groundloop's help with the soleniod switch still nothing. The items that I tried or replaced so far: new fuel line, primer bulb, filters, new key switch, check fuses, connections, EMM, soleniod and ran a diagnostic test with the software. The motor will fire but not stay cranked. I talked another BRP tech yesterday and he wouldn't even take the motor as a trade in. He said the best thing for it is to junk it or use as an anchor. He worked on one just like it, cost $6000.00 to fix, lucky for the guy it was under warranty.

 

[groundloop]

After reading about all your problems I'm feeling more and more love for my "ancient" carbureter engines. The 1981 Johnson 90 on my fishing boat runs like a top and gives me zero trouble. I'm praying for the same good luck from the 1990 Johnson 200 that's going on my Eluder, although I am suspicious about a lower unit seal (still, compared to your problems that's nothing).

 

[Rob B]

After reading about all your problems I'm feeling more and more love for my "ancient" carbureter engines. The 1981 Johnson 90 on my fishing boat runs like a top and gives me zero trouble. I'm praying for the same good luck from the 1990 Johnson 200 that's going on my Eluder, although I am suspicious about a lower unit seal (still, compared to your problems that's nothing).

I never had a problem with my carburetor mota on the bass boat. Everyday I regret selling the Pulse170 w/ the Merc, didn't have any trouble with it.

 

[ezstriper]

not trying to piss you outboard guys off, but this is why I hate outboards, when you have a problem all the parts are specific and they stick it up you !!! I love the older carbed I/O's hei dist, holley carb, the parts are everywhere and the cost are a fraction of outboard stuff...

 

[Rob B]

not trying to piss you outboard guys off, but this is why I hate outboards, when you have a problem all the parts are specific and they stick it up you !!! I love the older carbed I/O's hei dist, holley carb, the parts are everywhere and the cost are a fraction of outboard stuff...

I'm only mad at myself for selling a perfectly running boat.

 

[justincase]

Man i hate to hear this, but you really need to hang a black motor on that boat.

 

[yellowfiero88]

Man i hate to hear this, but you really need to hang a black motor on that boat.

You watch your mouth there. If Melissa hears that, there will be a enforcer in the marketplace

But yep, it would match the stripe on the boat

 

[Rob B]

You watch your mouth there. If Melissa hears that, there will be a enforcer in the marketplace

But yep, it would match the stripe on the boat

And it still might be on the marketplace. I'm done dumping money in a boat I can't use.

 

[SCT]

Hang in there, Robbie. Who knows, it still might be something easy and cheap to fix it.

I'll buy the first couple rounds when you get her running!

Good luck, bro-

 

[JT Patroni]

There is not much any of us can say to make things better, but after
all the repair work you did to the hull, it would pay to keep it and change out the motor.
I had more work to put into my hull than I expected but once it is complete I will be good for as long as I want to keep it. I was told by the PO that the motor was running. He just didn't say how long ago that was, so I had to pick up another motor.
Who ever started the phrase B.O.A.T. hit the nail on the head solid.

Just don't become too disgusted that you can't think straight.

 

[Weedo]

I never had a problem with my carburetor mota on the bass boat. Everyday I regret selling the Pulse170 w/ the Merc, didn't have any trouble with it.

The interior is DONE on your Pulse Robbie! Knowing me, it'll be on the market within the next 6 months. I even detailed out the gas tank and oil tank...new starter, has a brand new battery, new Checkmate mooring cover, etc....... Ran perfectly out on Lake Norman a couple weekends ago! What a blast! Heck, I can't sell this thing now!

Maybe you need the 200 Merc off the back and I can downsize to a 150? I don't need more than 72mph out of the boat, really...

 

[Rob B]

The interior is DONE on your Pulse Robbie! Knowing me, it'll be on the market within the next 6 months. I even detailed out the gas tank and oil tank...new starter, has a brand new battery, new Checkmate mooring cover, etc....... Ran perfectly out on Lake Norman a couple weekends ago! What a blast! Heck, I can't sell this thing now!

Maybe you need the 200 Merc off the back and I can downsize to a 150? I don't need more than 72mph out of the boat, really...

LOL!!!! My frustration factor with the Enforcer has reached a boiling point!! But if anyone would like to finish a project boat, make me an offer. Hell I'll let it go for $6000.00 just like it sits.

 

[Weedo]

LOL!!!! My frustration factor with the Enforcer has reached a boiling point!! But if anyone would like to finish a project boat, make me an offer. Hell I'll let it go for $6000.00 just like it sits.

I know it would look good with a black Merc hanging off the back. Wonder how it would go with a 200?

Do you think the interior seats/wood need to be replaced like on mine? Probably tough to say without actually removing all of the cushions. Probably better off not even looking.

How many feet is it again? I think I have room for 2 boats.

 

[Rob B]

I know it would look good with a black Merc hanging off the back. Wonder how it would go with a 200?

Do you think the interior seats/wood need to be replaced like on mine? Probably tough to say without actually removing all of the cushions. Probably better off not even looking.

How many feet is it again? I think I have room for 2 boats.

The interior is in great shape and was redone a few years ago. The boat is 23' long. Yes a mercury would look great on it.