Logo
FULL SITE MENU

1969 Evinrude 55hp shift and running problems

M

MattRH07

New member
Ok so i am having a few problems with my 1969 Evinrude 55hp 2 stroke with hydro-electric shift.:confused: I Just got this small Glasspar off of craigslist and i'm trying to get her running! I have cleaned everything up and tested everything and it all seems fine. The first problem that i am having is running the motor. When its out of the water and i just have the water ears on the lower unit, it will start up fine and run as long as i have the key in. Sometimes she doesn't want to start if i keep cranking it(I think i flood it out). But starting it out of the water is no problem. Once i drive it down to the dock (bout a mile) i put it in the water and try to start it, she will bang about once and then just crank all day long with no firing. I cant seem to find out the problem. The other problem is that the lower unit staying in forward all the time. When i am running the motor and put it in a different gear nothing changes. Does it need the back pressure of the water to help shift it or what? I have check all of the electrical and everything is fine. When i turn the key on i can hear the solenoids moving inside of the lower unit! PLEASE HELP
 
Runs as long as you keep the key (pressed) in? That indicates clogged, fouled carburetors. Clean and rebuild them.

Hard starting in the water may be due to a voltage drop to the pulsepack. See the following.

(Voltage Drop To Battery Capacitance Discharge)
( Pulsepack When Electric Starter Is Engaged)
(J. Reeves)

On the older Battery Capacitance Discharge ignition systems (1968-1972), the electric starter reaches a point, even with a top notch battery, whereas the starter will draw excess voltage/current/whatever which results in a voltage drop to the pulsepack. The cure is to purchase a diode which is capable of handling 12 volts and installing it between the starter terminal of the starter solenoid (NOT the battery cable terminal) and the wiring terminal that supplies voltage to the pulsepack.

The diode must be installed so that the current flows from the starter terminal of the solenoid to the pulsepack... NOT vice versa. When that diode is installed in this manner, when the key is turned to the start position, the voltage that is applied to the starter is also applied directly to the pulsepack via the diode effectively eliminating the voltage drop and energizing the pulsepack with the required voltage needed for its proper operation.

Thousands of parts in my remaining stock. Not able to list them all. Let me know what you need and I'll look it up for you. Visit my eBay auction at:
http://shop.ebay.com/Joe_OMC32/m.html?_dmd=1&_ipg=50&_sop=12&_rdc=1

Shift problems? You may be using the wrong gearcase lube. That unit demands what is called "Premium Blend", also known as "Type C".

(Hydro Electric Shift System Explained)
(J. Reeves)
The shifting setup of the lower unit is what's called a "Hydro Electric Shift", which is quite complex consisting of voltage being applied to solenoids in the lower unit which in turn change oil passages via a oil pump that supplies various pressure on a spring loaded shifter dog. The wires leading to the lower unit (at the powerhead) are "Green" and "Blue". The engine must be running or cranking over in order to shift out of forward gear.

You CAN NOT use HI VIS lube in that lower unit. You MUST USE what OMC calls "Premium Blend" lube, commonly called "Type C". (A thinner lube)

Note: The engine must be running OR have the driveshaft turning by some other means in order for the engine to shift.

In neutral, you need 12v to the "Green" wire.
In reverse, you need 12v to both wires, the "Green" one and the "Blue" one.
In forward, there should be no voltage to either wire. (The spring loaded shifter dog forces the unit into forward gear)

To check the lower unit for proper shifting to make sure you have no trouble there, remove the spark plugs to avoid problems and to allow a higher cranking speed.

This next step eliminates the actual shift switch in case problems may exist there.... Disconnect the blue & green wires at the knife connectors (the rubber insulated boots) leading to the lower unit at the powerhead, then using jumpers, take voltage direct from the starter solenoid to apply voltage to the "Green" wire for neutral, then both wires 'Green" & "Blue" for reverse (Remember the engine must be cranking over in order to shift).
With no voltage applied, the unit should be in forward. No need for a ground jumper... the lower unit's already grounded. You may crank the engine with the key switch or by energizing the starter solenoid with a jumper wire.

Thousands of parts in my remaining stock. Not able to list them all. Let me know what you need and I'll look it up for you. Visit my eBay auction at:

http://shop.ebay.com/Joe_OMC32/m.html?_dmd=1&_ipg=50&_sop=12&_rdc=1
 
I have done all that...I have the correct gear case lube in there. I have checked the voltage at the wires into the lower unit and found they had the correct electricity and i can hear the solenoids switching around in the gear case. I have heard that if the motor has sat for a long time, which it has, than run it with the fresh oil in it to clean everything up and really lube it up, then drain and replace the lube oil and it sometime frees a sticky gear or what not. I have tried the diode thing but didn't notice any difference when starting it out of the water it was perfect either way. Maybe the back pressure of the water on the prop makes the starter use more. I am using a 2 day old yellow top optimum battery (Just to get it running well) I'm going to get a nice marine battery soon. Does this system charge the battery as well? I had another battery and i would let this thing run for 45 minutes multiple times and it never seemed to charge up the battery. Maybe i just cranked it to many times. What i meant by leaving the key in is, It will start and run all day....not holding onto the key or choking it in anyway. She starts right up and stays on as long as i want it! Thank you for your help.
 
Start your own post and provide some more details.-----Post such things as " suddenly " lost forward.--------Gradually got worse etc, etc.
 
Back
Top