1998 johnson 175 hp ficht starting problem?????RUSTY63

[Dixon-Dan]

Was on vacation this week,Boat was a nightmare.One time it would start and run great. The next it would not start. Did notice that if I heard the electric fuel pump run its 10 sec at the turn of the key it would start. No pump no start. I did change the relays around , no help. Wait awile and it might start. Seems like the pump is getting no voltage. Tried to get it to repete problem today with no luck. I wish I would die completly. It would be easier to find the problem. I want to keep the dock in sight at all times.Going out again right now to try it ,will have my test light and multimeter with me this time. Thanks Dan

[RUSTY63]

It might be the power distrubtion panel, it supplies power to everything when you turn the key on.

[Dixon-Dan]

Ran boat tonight,no problems.how do I check the distrubution panel.

[RUSTY63]

Dan, testing the PDP you will need some probes so that you dont damage the panel.

Also it could be the Computer.

[Dixon-Dan]

If I take it to a dealer and its not having the problem, will they be able to check the PDP and computor and find the problem.

[RUSTY63]

You will have to get it to have the problem, hard to find when its not broke.

[Dixon-Dan]

Thats what I thought. I will let you know what I find out.THANKS

[Dixon-Dan]

Problem came back. Took boat to dealer to hook up to computor.Computor said it could not connect to ecu. Checked power and ground to ECU, Had both. Dealer says ECU is bad. Does this sound right.Is there anyplace to send the ECU to have it checked out.

[SEAHORSE]

Contact http://www.dfitechnologies.com They rebuild FICHT and Merc EFI computers and do a great job.

[Dixon-Dan]

I just talked to Eric at DFI TEC. very helpful.Gave me a coulple of things to try,and get back with him.

[SEAHORSE]

Eric is the best. He also is named on some of the FICHT injector and fuel management patents when he was with OMC.

[Dixon-Dan]

He really seamed to know his stuff. Told me to get my meters and remove the hood. Had me check lot of stuff. Told me to run some more checks and get back to him. Very helpfull.

[Bassmeister]

Hope ya find it , post your results and keep us in the loop. Luck to ya.

[AwesomeRanger]

I'd check all your connections at the distrubution panel on the fuel pump relay. The connections break inside the panel. When you're probing the panel with a DVM push up, down, left and right to wiggle the connector in the housing. I know, it happened to me.

[Dixon-Dan]

Sent the ECU to DFI Tech. They found the ECU defective.Got the new ECU back and put back on the motor.I dont know what all they did to the Ecu unit, but this boat has never ran this good.Eric and the guys at DFI were very helpful. I would highly recommend there services.Thanks to all here at BBC for your help also. The info here is priceless. Thanks Dan

[Bassmeister]

Great news, Glad to hear ya likin' what is goin on with the motor. Seahorse and dfi seem to know their business.

[tomort]

Rusty - appreciate your support of the forum to date, I know it takes a lot of time and keystrokes but you end up being a hero to a lot of folks who get turned off by the Mfg or a dealer, and no source or reliable info. I am new to these forums but just acquired a 1998 (9/98 date of mfg) Evinrude 175 FCXEEC - and just now finding out how bad they can be. I am also wondering if it and its problems are very similar to the Johnson 175 - were they clones?
I will research the forums and try to come up with details on my 175 as to what maintenance / upgrade has been done to date - if any, and develop my own maintenance plan. Need to find a good (factory cert.) Tech up here in New England - any one or anyplace to recommend, personally? Despite what the previous (and first) owner told me, I feel I need to have a good manual (saw the link) and basic checkup so I know how far up the river I have been sold. In your opinion -do 100% of these 98/99 Ficht 175s develop problems? Does Bomb. do anything for owners, especially second hand ones this far down the road? I heard one guy say his homeowner's insurance covered $7k of a 9k replacement! Thanks again, Tom toertel@arrow.com

[peteo]

Tom, Are you having problems with your motor? I just purchased a 09/98 manufacture 175 evinrude, I was informed that it was a '99 though. I have an appointment with boat shop 9/15 to hang motor and check out. Mine came with rough idle and running condition according to salesman. He thought it was injector or fuel pump will post findings.

[RUSTY63]

Welcome to the BBC and Thanks for the kind words.

Tom, Your motor is a 1999 model and they have been known to have problems.

As far as BRP support I don't think you will find any but you could call customer service and ask, the number is 847-689-7090, please have your model and serial number handy.