2003 Evinrude 200, VST pump failures, am I doing something wrong?

I’m continuing to repair the 2003 Evinrude 200 that came on a boat I recently purchased. Engine model is E200FSLSTM.

Over Xmas, the engine dropped off plane and would barely run. Got it home, and heard the VST pump making a terrible screeching noise. I tried to clean and flush the pump, still made noise. I purchased a new aftermarket VST assembly on Amazon, and it seemed to fix the problem. Ran it fishing a couple days, multiple starts and runs totaling maybe 30 minutes.

I decided to do some repairs on the boat & engine, and it sat for about 6 weeks. When I went to start it on the hose it wouldn’t even try to start. Checked the pump, no noise. Ran the fuel pump test in Evdiag, nothing. Checked voltage at the pump, got good 12 volts when test was running. Figured I got a bad pump and ordered replacement assembly from Amazon. Installed it today, and the pump sounded good until I pumped the bulb tight and it picked up fuel. The pump ran for about 5 seconds and quit. Checked via Evdiag test again, getting 12 volts to the pump plug but no noise from the pump at all. The pump also doesn’t run when the key is first turned to start.

Am I doing something wrong diagnosing this pump? I can believe I got two bad pumps, but before I order another I wanted to check with experts. I have good spark, and the plugs are completely dry. The engine won’t even pop or cough like it’s trying to start.

Thanks for any and all advice.
Jeff

The pump is triggered by a relay which is activated by the EMM. What have you checked there? See the parts catalog epc.brp.com. You should look for a service manual too.
the relay is in the PDP power distribution panel. The PDP has been known to to have connection problems from wires with poor solder connections on the back side of the panel.

Aftermarket junk

I have the service manual, and it states pump should run for 15 seconds at key on. I’m getting 12 volts at the pump electrical plug at key on. But the pump doesn’t run at all. If there’s nothing else to it, I have a third bad pump. I thought I might be missing something though.

Championman, I take it from your reply my issue is aftermarket junk pumps. Would I be better off with a used OEM Carter pump? I’m reluctant to put another 20 y.ear old pump in it, but there’s not a lot of options.

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have you checked the fuses? this gave me a headache once before.

I think I checked all the fuses, but I’ll double-check them all again. Might have missed one. Thanks.

Turns out it was the china pump from Amazon. Installed a used OEM off ebay and it seems to pump great. The electric motor sounds a lot better than even the best of the cheap china pumps.