ficht 200 hp starting problems

[scp]

This is my first post, but have been following the board for the little over three years that I've had my evinrude. I've been impressed by the board as well as by my 2003 200 hp ficht rude. The motor model is E200FPXSR and the serial number is 5034458.

For the past month or so, I've had an intermittent problem with starting the motor. Once it starts, it runs fine. When I turn the key to the first click, the self diagnostic beep and lights work normally. Once the lights go out and its ok to crank the motor, sometimes nothing happens. I do not hear the starter crank, no beep or lights at the console. I can turn the key back to initial vertical position and then crank the motor and it starts right up. I find that if after the initial self diagnostic step, I wait more than one to three seconds to crank the motor, the problem will happen. But if I crank the motor immediately after all the lights go off from the self diagnostic, no problem.
I've used the motor 5 or 6 times since this began and it runs fine otherwise.

I took the cowling off the motor to listen and watch it crank(running it on mufflers) saturday. I turned the key to the selfdiagnostic(first position) and it did its thing normally. With the cowling off, I was able to hear a buzzing from the left side of the motor below the starter. Pitch was slightly irregular, but constant. When this buzz was present, the motor would crank right up. On the occasions that the motor would not crank, the buzz had stopped a few seconds after the selfdiagnostic had ended and before I cranked the engine. The length of time that the buzz lasted after the selfdiag. varied(sometimes lasting a second or two and sometimes lasting 5 or more seconds).

With this experiment, I'm guessing that the buzzing is a from an ignition part that is a prerequisite for the starter to work.

Anyway, I'm waiting to get the motor into the shop. They are very backed up and I've been waiting a couple of weeks already. I would like to have a little bit more info from the informed members/mechanics on the board so that my dealer will get this fixed the first time and I can get back to catching specks and reds.

Thanks so much for reading and your replies.

[GhostComanche]

Might be something as simple as the ignition switch or wiring on the switch not making good contact. Ck and make sure that you have good connections on the cranking battery.....sometimes the wingnuts (if that is what you have) will work loose. I had that problem once and replaced my wingnuts with the nylon locking nuts and no more problems.....Good Luck, Roger

[rudetech1]

There is a start delay relay by the starter solenoid. Find it by tracing the yellow/red wires back from the solenoid. Replace it. Use a factory relay. It looks like the trim relays, jack plate relay etc.

[RUSTY63]

Welcome to the BBC.

The buzzing is the electric fuel pump, it should run for approximately 10 seconds after the key is turned on, if it stops short the fuel system will not be pressurized to 30 PSI and the motor may not start.

Sounds like you may have a problem with the PDP (power distribution panel), key switch, or main harness.......Be Sure the battery connections are tight and NO Wing Nuts.