Etec problem....ideas??

[606zpx]

Hve a boat with a Etec 250. Before I bought it there were about 15 hours of use by the manufacturer. No problems during this time. Took it out once for 3 hours no problem.

Second trip in boat ran great for about 1.5 hours, then

1. With no warning it acted like the throttle was abruptly dropped. I quickly pulled the lever to idle and tilted to motor up a bit to see if there were any obvious problems. None, so I tilted back down and advanced throttle and it died. Would not restart. Nothing on system check.

2. Tried emptying the fuel water separator and believe there was no water. Tried cranking but would not start. This went on for some time. Looked at lights on EMM with key turned on and the Crank position light was not lit but all others were. Also we tested for spark by pulling a plug wire and there was none.

3. After about 30-40 minutes tried cranking again and it cranked. Idled around a bit at fast idle position and would have a little roughness here and there and died after about 3-5 minutes of running at fast idle. No recrank.

4. Noted at times that when I turned the key on it would go through system check as it should....then when I turned to crank position it would cycle through system check again. Also noted once that when turning the key to crank that it would not turn over at all then I would turn the key off then back to crank and it would turn over.

Gave up and went on 4+ hour tow ride back to home port.

5. Decided to try it one more time to see if we could power load. Low and behold, it cranked and took all lots of throttle with no problem loading it onto the trailer.

Have delivered to dealer and have not heard anything but I am afraid he may be stumped.

By the way, have there been updates on the 250's. I think that the manufacturer had the motor for some time before I bought the boat and doubt that any applicable updates were performed.

Thanks much for your help for this newbee.

[RUSTY63]

Welcome to the BBC.

What boat is the E-Tec on?

When you say like the throttle was dropped, could you explain a bit more?

[606zpx]

It is on Mckee Craft 22 Deep V. Saltwater series motor. By the way thanks for the quick reply.

The first noticeable problem is that when I was running along at like 4000-5000 rpm it felt like somebody abruptly reduced the throttle. I actually looked down to see if my brother accidentally bumped it. Sensing a problem, I pulled the throttle back to the idle position to make certain everyone was OK from the quick deceleration and make certain it was running OK.

I have done a bit of reading since I posted. I have noted that the sticker that shows the degree marks seemed to be in a couple pieces and one piece was laying up under the flywheel. Before we took it out I had noted that a piece of the tape was loose and and laying down near the bottom of the motor. Could a piece of this sticker have possibly intermittently blocked the sensor you think?

When we got it back to the dock for the short time loading it on the trailer it ran great which I must admit was very confusing.

[RUSTY63]

I dont know what sticker you are referring to but, if it got on the bar code (ribs under the flywheel) it could cause the crank sensor to send incorrect information to the EMM.

[606zpx]

Ignoring my sticker theory do you have any other ideas? Again I recall the second light down on the EMM not lighting up with the key at the on position. This light was for crank position.

The sticker or decal seemed to be about 1 inch wide. Was white with black hash marks kinda like a ruler and numbers on it. I removed one fragment earlier but recall that when I was trying to figure out what was going on there was a piece laying somewher up under the front area of the flywheel.

Edit: When I first saw one of the sticker fragments I thought it was a timing sticker of some kind (to mark degrees)


Modified by 606zpx at 8:34 PM 7/27/2005

[RUSTY63]

The second LED on the EMM is for ignition or injector faults.

I am thinking that there my be a fuel supply problem, reason for this is, no System Check lights or horns.....Motor would not restart but, after being towed the motor restarted......I am just thinking out loud.

[606zpx]

I thought that the second light during crank mode was for "crank position" and during running mode is for ignition fault. In crank mode I think the light is supposed to be lit showing completion of circuit. In running mode I think all lights are supposed to be out.

But I didnt stay in Holiday Inn Express last night so I may be way off on this.

[RUSTY63]

If there is a Crank Position Sensor problem the Third light would be on and code 16 would be stored but there would be no System Check Light or horn.

I guess I should brush up on the LED lights, I always hook the laptop up and see whats going on.

I have looked at those lights a time or two, they are a Real Pretty Red.

I didn't stay at a Holiday Inn Express either.

[ChampioNman]

Hell I'm staying at a Quality Inn and Suites and I don't have a clue either ! CM

[606zpx]

I am about 95% certain the "crank position" LED is second from the top. Again, I did not get any warning horns or system check lights.

[RUSTY63]

Your 95% beats my Deer in the headlights look....

I will pull the info on the LED's tomorrow and check it, To be honest I should know that but I dont use them to check for problems, I always use the laptop.

[RUSTY63]

LMAO @ CM.......

Have another Bud... that may be why I cant remember, to many

[606zpx]

One final question and I will check back tomorrow.

Is the program and cable to hook to the EMM available to consumers.

I have both a PDA and a laptop and would love to see what it shows in the future. Thanks!

[RUSTY63]

I will say no, the software has to be registered and without registering you would not be able to use some of the features.

[SEAHORSE]

The 2nd LED while starting is for the crank position sensor.

A quick check for the CPS on the FICHTs was to see if the tach would register while cranking the motor over. If so, the CPS was operational. I would think it would be the same with an E-TEC.

[606zpx]

I didnt know to look at the tach. When the motor is running does it rely on the crank position sensor? In other words if something blocked it would it run rough or shut down?

[SEAHORSE]

The CPS directs the show, if it don't work, nuttin' runs. It is one of the few electrical items that will keep an E-TEC from operating because it tells the computer that the flywheel is rotating and at what position each piston is.

[RUSTY63]

I have said it before, the Old Guy remembers everything.


I now have a copy of what the heck the little red lights mean.

[chuck21]

there is always a professional smartass around when you need one

[RUSTY63]

I could remember what the lights meant when running just could not for the life of me remember what they meant when cranking....To many Bud Lights last night I guess...