1987 XP150 Disabled kill switch to get it to run, now it seems to have a max rpm

[Don Dickinson]

I have 1987 Evinrude XP150 that suddenly decided not to start. It had been running great for the last few years. It seemed like it might be the kill-switch so i disconnected the kill switch wire from the starboard powerpack. It started ok in the yard, so I took it to the lake. It fired right up, however, it seemed stuck in SLOW mode ... not sure the RPMS because my tach doesn't work, but I'd guess 2k rpms or so. The motor will rev good when not in gear, but when i put it in gear it tops out at a very low rpm .. the boat goes maybe 10mph max. Does this indicate a bad powerpack? If i hookup the kill switch wire again, it will not start. when its hooked up, it starts, but won't go above 2k or so rpm.

TIA,
Don

 

[hidef]

Re: 1987 XP150 Disabled kill switch to get it to run, now it seems to have a max rpm

Did you disconnect the kill wire from the port side? You might only be running on three cylinders which is why she won't get up to speed. You need to find the short in your system it could be a problem with the safety switch Item 52 in the controls.

http://www.marineengine.com/parts/j...&manufacturer=Evinrude&section=Remote+Control

 

[Don Dickinson]

Re: 1987 XP150 Disabled kill switch to get it to run, now it seems to have a max rpm

wow i'm an idiot for some reason i had it in my head that there was only one kill switch wire. i found the one for the port side and that fixed it. thanks so much. for those that might encounter this problem in the future ...

after disconnecting both kill switch wires off the powerpacks, the boat ran just great. this means (most likely) there is a problem in the kill switch itself. since i have a hot-foot i'm not terribly worried about it EXCEPT, the key will no longer turn off the boat. since the boat is older and not tuned great, this isn't a problem. if i put it in neutral and trim down the motor, it will kill the motor. I did, however, order a new kill switch so the motor will correctly shut off until it arrives, everything will be fine i'm sure.

thanks again for the help.
-don