OMC ESA question

[cardoc672]

The ESA module on my 1988 Bayliner Capri 3.0 has failed. This boat sill has the point triggered ignition system and runs great, but shifting from forward to neultral has slowly become nearly impossible with the engine running. reverse and all shifting with engine off are fine. My question is can the wrong ignition coil cause ESA failure? The reason I am asking is I noticed there is a Motorcraft ignition coil installed and lable reads "USE WITH EXTERNAL RESISTOR" I was unable to locate an external/Ballist resistor in the engine bay or on the wiring diagram in the manual I have. I checked here on Iboats and can only find coils labled "uses external resistor" I'm afraid of buring up a new ESA module with the wrong coil.

BTW is there anyreason I cant bypass the ESA by using the main interruptor switch to ground the negative side of the coil? I know it will kill the entire ignition system, but only for a second during shifting....


Thanks

 

[bruceb58]

Re: OMC ESA question

There is an easy way to tell if there is a resistor or resistor wire somewhere. Turn the engine until the points are closed and measure the voltage at the coil. If it is in the neighborhood of 7V or so, you have a resistor in the circuit that has dropped it down from 12V.

Just buy a new ESA. There is a newer version that came out after yours thqat doesn't use the overstroke switch. There is an internal timer that accomplishes the same thing. Also, there is one out there made by an aftermarket company that allows you to use it with a Pertronix ignition if you were at all thinking of adding that later.

 

[futz]

Re: OMC ESA question

what rpm is the motor running at in gear at idle with a warm motor? That is where you shift at.

With the new esa with the timing mode when you go to shift at the dock there is a delay that WILL seem like an eternity i " believe " it is 5 seconds. It could be 3 seconds, but i think it's 5 seconds. That esa is only needed when you go to electronic ignition.

What you need is the old style esa for the motor you have. Now to the coil, motorcraft is a auto coil. No question about that.

The wrong coil can and will mess you up.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: OMC ESA question

With the new esa with the timing mode when you go to shift at the dock there is a delay that WILL seem like an eternity i " believe " it is 5 seconds. It could be 3 seconds, but i think it's 5 seconds. That esa is only needed when you go to electronic ignition.

This is an incorrect statement. The new ESA can be used with the older motors. The timer is there to set the maximum amount of time that the module functions. If the switch hits and then releases, the ESA only works for the amount of time necessary. It will not last for 5 seconds. The reason the timer was added was to get rid of the overstroke switch.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: OMC ESA question

The wrong coil can and will mess you up.

Another wrong statement. You can use an internal resistor coil if you get rid of your external resistor. I wouldn't do it though becuase then you eliminate the boost in voltage to the coil while starting.

 

[carolynrose]

Re: OMC ESA question

I believe the 3.0 is a GM motor, if thats the case it has a resistor wire to the coil and does not require a ballast resistor. As far as the ESA, I doubt it went bad.

Usually it becomes impossible to shift to neutral if the engine is idling in gear above 600 - 650 rpm's. I've found the only way to absolutely be sure you set the idle correctly is to drive the boat on plane for about 15 minutes and fully warm it up, then pull down into idle In Gear and set the idle at 500-600 rpms.

When an engine warms up the idle usually rises. OMC ESAs are extremely fussy about engine speed. Mine idles barely above stalling and shifts like butter. Before I messed with idle I was pulling my hair out.

Try it first you may save yourself a lot of money.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: OMC ESA question

You can also test to see if the ESA is working by depressing the switch that goes to the ESA and see if the engine stumbles.

 

[cardoc672]

Re: OMC ESA question

First off thanks for all info!

Second I have already set idle speed on the water at 600 rpm. I also checked the operation of ESA by manually opertating the switch. I checked for battery voltage and ground to the module and checked the switches with an ohm meter. I checked for voltage to the switches and found o.oo volts. So, from what i have found. With Key on engine off there is power and ground to the box, but no power on any pin to the switches. Engine running same thing.

 

[carolynrose]

Re: OMC ESA question

One more thing to check, make sure the overstroke switch is not engaged when shifting to neutral. I went so far as to remove the overstroke cams because they are really not necessary. They have even eliminated this feature in the new design module.

The overstroke switch could also be sticking. This switch basically negates the interrupt switch and can lead to a false diagnosis.