Interruptor switches

[jlcjtc]

I got a 1987 renken 4.3l, the interruptor circuit id not working looks like the switch is damaged. checked into getting a new harness with switches and plug, but the are close to 300.00. can i just cut the switches off and put new ones on with out getting the whole harness?

 

[Don S]

Re: Interruptor switches

What do you have, OMC or Mercruiser?

 

[jamesr1]

Re: Interruptor switches

Hey guys,<br /> A local mechanic told me to check my interupt switch. Merc140 My boat ran fine until putting it under a load, and then fell on it face. It was very hard in and out of gear and did not want to disengage. <br />I was just wondering, is this possible, and how do you check the switch. He advised to start the motor and depress the switch while listening for the motor to drop. I guess I was just wanting to confirm this.

 

[trog100]

Re: Interruptor switches

it works as u come out of gear.. not going in as would seem obvous.. it just briefly kills the ignition which permts the drive to come out of gear easier..<br /><br />slowly bring your drive out of gear and u should hear a slight stutter in the engine note as it comes out.. mine works by briefly shorting the ingition out.. so during normal running the switch should be open..<br /><br />trog100

 

[Don S]

Re: Interruptor switches

James, yes you can just depress the switch to test is with the engine running. If you hold the switch in, the engine should die.

 

[trog100]

Re: Interruptor switches

pressing the contacts together tests the switch is working as a switch.. however it dosnt mean that the rest of the linkage is operating the switch as and when it should.. which is of equal relevance..<br /><br />trog100

 

[jlcjtc]

Re: Interruptor switches

I got an OMC 4.3 in my boat, When I shift it into gear it just sort of grindsinto gear. There is no stutter in interruption int the motor.

 

[trog100]

Re: Interruptor switches

the slight stutter is when u take it out of gear.. the gears are designed to kinda "lock in" once engaged.. killing the engine briefly as it comes out just makes it come out of gear easier.. going into gear the interrupter switch does nothing..<br /><br />the klunk as it goes in is normal.. he he.. the higher the idle rpm the worse the klunk.. it pays to adjust it as low as posible consistant with reliably keeping running.. <br /><br />trog100

 

[Don S]

Re: Interruptor switches

When I shift it into gear it just sort of grindsinto gear.

They will only "Grind" when putting them into gear slowly, or the engine idle speed is to high. When shifting gears on any drive with a dog style clutch, you need to put it into gear quickly, and should get only one and occasionally you may get 2 clunks before it's into gear, any slower and you will be doing irrepariable damage to the clutch dogs.<br />The way the ESA system is designed to work, to momentarily stop firing on a few cylinders in order to cause a release of pressure on the clutch which will allow them to be pulled out of gear easily. And has nothing to do with going into gear at all.<br />There are an awful lot of people out there messing with the adjustments on the ESA system trying to get them to do something they were never meant to do, then the system is all out of adjustment and will not work the way it's supposed to, then the drive gets destroyed.<br />Here is a link to some OMC info you should read before tinkering with your ESA system.<br /><br /> http://www.hastings.org/~stuart/cobra/index.html

 

[hoot]

Re: Interruptor switches

i was told or read somewhere that this switch only comes into operation when you come out of reverse. does anyone know if this is correct? had something to do with the drag on the cable during the shift that operated the switch. and the cut on the gears and sliding mechanism allowed disengagement from forward to neutral so the switch was not necessary during this change.

 

[Don S]

Re: Interruptor switches

Hoot, read the 2 replies just before yours and you will find the answer.

 

[Capt.Skid]

Re: Interruptor switches

The switch if working properly slows the engine "Rs" going into gear also. Ive had and OMC Cobra for 15 yrs. now and this is the charactic of omc.<br />Capt.Skid

 

[trog100]

Re: Interruptor switches

i think most folks think thats what the switch does capt.. slow things down whilst going into gear.. its a logical enough assumption..<br /><br />trog100