Motor will not fire...

[TNBassKisser]

I need help from the Ficht gurus! Heres the situation:

Motor: 99 Rude 225 Ficht w/130 hrs
Problem: Last 3 times out, at start up and at first idle I noticed the tach reading 2200, but the actual idle was the same as always at 850. Once boat was under power tach read correctly and would read 850 at idle for the rest of the day and motor ran flawless as usual. Last Sunday, the tach registered correclty all day, but sometimes when I put it in forward gear it would die. Other than that I ran great.

Went to fish a night tournament last night and motor would not fire. Pulled a plug wire to see if it was getting spark and it didn't appear to get any (checked all starboard plug wires to see if they would arc while cranking and nothing there).

Checked the iginition fuses (#5 & 8) in power distribution panel, as well as the ignition relay in the PDP. The fuses all showed continutity and I swapped the relay with a good spare. I have double checked all connectors and ensured they are well seated. The TPS seems adjusted properly and the kill switch is connected. The battery is fully charged and the starter is less than 5 months old (had pronlem getting it to start back in March and discovered failing starter, so I replaced with a new one). The starter doesn't seem to spin the motor as fast as it used to, but I think it spins it enought that it should still start. System check functions correctly with no light or beep errors - other than during a long cranking cycle, after the system check has finished, it will give one beep like the system has reset but the lights don't go through the sequence.

I've checked the stator windings and found no visible corrosion, charring or burning (have not pulled the flywheel to visually check the topside). I've inspected the rectifier connections (where the stator wires mount to it) and they are all tight and show no corrosion.

Is my problem the stator, rectifier, ignition module, capacitor, ECU or what? Your help and advice would be greatly appreciate!

Thanks,

[RUSTY63]

I would guess you either have a bad PDP or a bad computer, try using a jumper lead to jump across the starter solenoid from the Main battery cable to the pink wire, see if it starts then, that will tell you if the start assist circuit is not working.

I keep a spare PDP and EMM just for testing.

[TNBassKisser]

Thanks Rusty,

I replaced the PDP just over 2 months ago due to the tilt & trim connector prongs were loose and sometime lost connection. Thinking maybe something in the new PDP had faulted, I just finished removing the new one and installing the old one, but same situation -- So I reinstalled the new one and decided to check to see if anyone on the BBC had responded. I will go and try your solenoid jumper suggestion -- I hope it is the start assist and not the ECU. This thing is turning into a money pit!!!!

Thanks

[TNBassKisser]

Rusty,

I did the jumper from the battery cable terminal on the solenoid to the pink solenoid wire and still would not fire.

Also, I a took a closer look at the windings on the stator from the topside, looking thru the flywheel fan vents, and there are some patches of chalky-looking residue on most of them. Is it possible the stator has gone out and effecting the spark? If so, how do I test it to see if it's the problem?

Thanks

[RUSTY63]

There is a output test but I can not for the life of me remember the specs, I can get that info Monday.

But I bet the ECU is the problem, do you have a ECU or a EMM?

[TNBassKisser]

No Rusty I sure don't, and I'll bet they cost a chunk of money!!! Any idea what DFI charges for rebuilding them? If the ECU is faulty, wouldn't the system check monitor indicate some type of error code?

Would a faulty recitifier cause it not to fire? Aren't tach problems an indication of charging system or ignitition system problems? Sorry for so many questions.

I called you work number firast thing this morning and the fellow there said you were allergic to boats on weekends. I was going to see if you could take a look at it this week, but they guy there indicated that you were about 4 weeks backlogged with work.

Thanks

[RUSTY63]

The computer will not tell on itself, Give me a call Monday and I will help you with this problem.

We are 4 weeks behind but we have room for a BBC member.

[TNBassKisser]

Sure thing Rusty. Thanks a million for your help!

[ChampioNman]

It'll cost you close to that in Long neck Bud Lights (Better start with a case) for him to "sneak you in" CM

[TNBassKisser]

Long necks, a fifth of Crown, a horny hooker with big hooters or what ever it takes--- Rusty's the man!!!