Getting in and out of gear - VERY hard - Electronic Assist ??

[tractorboy]

Hello, I have a 1990 sunbird i/o with an omc 4.3 and cobra outdrive. new to me last year. I know its got a new motor and PO said they replaced cables at time of engine replacement.

Its always been a little hard/stiff (noticeable) to get it into neutral from forward or reverse but not too bad at all. (more noticeable to get OUT of gears than it is to get INTO gear) rest of the throttle is perfectly smooth. Now its getting hard to get in and out of gear so Read here to check for cable binding. Which I did and didnt see anything. I lubed the cables and the joints best I could.

After researching im now seeing its most likely the ESA module...but a question.. is there a way to trouble shoot it to ensure thats it? and also how does this module know when to "kick in" and drop the idle? Im thinking there is something ont he cable that triggers or some sort of manual occurance that can also be check to ensure its being TOLD to activate...if that makes sense.

I also ask as in know there was an engine replacement and ive seen people say that people have zipped tied things that should be on it.

Todd



Thank you.

 

[john744]

Re: Getting in and out of gear - VERY hard - Electronic Assist ??

Hi Todd, With respect to your ESA question, look at this post. He asks a similar question. Also be sure to visit Stuart Hastings OMC Cobra web page - invaluable source of information. A MUST READ!

Good Luck!

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=492953

 

[tractorboy]

Re: Getting in and out of gear - VERY hard - Electronic Assist ??

Thank you for the link.. Ive read and learn alot from that link and its good stuff! Wondering on a couple of things. How do I know I have points vs electronic ignition? The presence of a coil right? or should I pop the dist off and check physically for a set of point? I ask as I know the PO put a new motor in it.....supposedly the same gm type motor but....Gotta rule it out ya know! as I see the original esa does not work with elec ignitions....

Im also trying to understand how or what physically trips this switch....but im reading the other post information still and soaking it in. will have to go down to where boat docked and see for myself. where this thing is and what not. im guessing near all the cables....duh...

also Im guessing my problem can be as simple as some adjustment needed in the cable or mechanical portion that "trips" these curcuits? I guess I should start there.....

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Getting in and out of gear - VERY hard - Electronic Assist ??

Howdy,


It's worth reading the following link so you understand how a "dog-clutch" system works. Then you see why an ESA is needed.

http://www.hastings.org/~stuart/cobra/

In a nutshell, the ESA pulses the ignition so that it produces torque "pulses"..........(torque on the under-cut shift dogs help hold them together and depending on how much torque is on them determines if you can pull them apart AT ALL!)

These brief reductions in torque (when the prop is turning in the water) reduce the torque on the shift "dog-clutch" sufficiently to allow you to separate them (with either push or pull force on the lower shift cable) and shift into neutral.

Note that it's not really needed to shift INTO gear. (and it doesn't activate the ESA going into gear)


The ESA is activated by moving the "Shifter" with your hand. The shifter applies force to the "shift actuator" which has microswitches installed to activate the ESA when shifting out of gear. (there's usually not enough force to move the shift actuator when shifting INTO gear.......AND if there is, it's usually the shift cable binding etc)


If it goes into either gear easily but doesn't come out of gear easily, then your ESA might be defective but usually it's a switch failure or adjustment.....

The above link explains it pretty good.


Even with the "Hastings" info, you STILL NEED the correct OEM OMC service manual to adjust the cable and ESA "stuff" properly.

Regards,


Rick

 

[MRS]

Re: Getting in and out of gear - VERY hard - Electronic Assist ??

Did you disconnect the transom shift cable and see if it shifts smooth. If it does then it is probably the transom shift cable I changed mine 2yr.s ago and pretty sure it went out again haven't had time to pull outdrive yet. I notice here when people say they changed all the cables it is on the controller but not the transom shift cable the most critical one good luck with yours....