Vacuum switch assembly

Doinit

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Sep 29, 2017
Messages
41
Hi guys, I wanted to know if anybody knew how a vacuum switch is wired on a 1968 100hp evinrude 100882b. Where do the two wires coming off the switch go? When I started working on this motor I noticed that the switch was disconnected. I cleaned the carbs but it still won't start, it backfires and tries to start but won't. I think that the vacuum switch is one of the issues so I will start there. Any info will be helpful...thanks
 

F_R

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jul 7, 2006
Messages
28,195
No Title

Hoo boy, that question made me think awhile. The vacuum switch is in series with the red wire going to the voltage suppressor and pulse pack. It's purpose was to prevent voltage input to the pulse pack until the engine was cranking. And that was because under certain conditions the motor would fire and start running as soon as the key was turned on, without running the starter----sometimes even backwards!

Having said all that, I believe some replacement pulse packs came with instructions to eliminate the vacuum switch. But I could be wrong on that point. And/or, possibly some motors didn't even have a vacuum switch in the first place. I think they were a mid-year change. But again, I could be wrong again.

Bottom line is you need 12 Volt input to the pulse pack (red wire) before it can start and run.
 

Attachments

  • photo278126.jpg
    photo278126.jpg
    213.2 KB · Views: 0

F_R

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jul 7, 2006
Messages
28,195
Yeah, after pondering on it some more, I do believe the replacement pulse packs had different circuitry inside and didn't have the phantom starting problem, so didn't need the vacuum switch. But did I mention, I could be wrong?
 

Doinit

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Sep 29, 2017
Messages
41
Thank you for the input and diagram. One time I was trying to start it the motor did run backwards, I was like what the heck was that! The power pack has been replaced on this motor and it has ran the way it is but has been very hard to start and most of the time I would have to hold the key to the on position with the starter engaged for awhile then release it slowly and it would run. After it started I could stop and start it with ease.From your input it sounds like I am in the right spot I just don't know where to go from here with it.
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
Staff member
Joined
Jul 23, 2011
Messages
47,296
most of the time I would have to hold the key to the on position with the starter engaged for awhile then release it slowly and it would run. After it started I could stop and start it with ease.From your input it sounds like I am in the right spot I just don't know where to go from here with it.

sounds like a bad key switch
 

F_R

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jul 7, 2006
Messages
28,195
Connect a voltmeter to the red wire going to the pulse pack and observe the voltage any time it should be firing. That is while cranking, when releasing the key, and at run position of the key. It must receive battery power to the pulse pack all through that cycle, or it won't start and continue running. I agree, it sounds like a bad key switch, but don't run out and buy a new one till you have proved it with voltage test.
 

Doinit

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Sep 29, 2017
Messages
41
I thought it was a key switch so I by passed the switch and I would have to keep the selinoid hot for it to run as well and the starter was still engaged. I am going to see if the red wire has a reading on the volt meter. I was just tying to start it today and it fired through about two revolutions of the flywheel but will not continue running. I am also thinking that it is something basic like a plug but they were replaced recently. Trying not to spend money at guess work.
 

Doinit

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Sep 29, 2017
Messages
41
How do I hook up a multi meter to the red wire? Will I need both leads from the multi meter to check volts from the red wire? I don't do much of this electrical stuff
 

F_R

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jul 7, 2006
Messages
28,195
Set your multimeter to test the lowest suitable DC Volts range. Meters vary, so I can't tell you what that is on yours. Ground your meter's black lead to a suitable place on engine. Connect your meter's red lead to the closest accessible point on the red lead to the pulse pack. You probably will have to probe into a disconnect fitting to do this. Your goal is to touch the meter's red lead as close as possible to the pulse pack. You may even have to pierce the wire's insulation with a needle if there is no other access.
 

Doinit

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Sep 29, 2017
Messages
41
I put the meter on the wires and there is current going thru them. There is no red wire coming out of the pulse pack harness. There is purple,blue,green, and three black. 1 black is ground and 2 go under the flywheel, both of those have 7.5 volts. The purple has 12.5 . But the is no reading on any of them with just the key in the on posisition.
 

F_R

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jul 7, 2006
Messages
28,195
So I have to assume it is a replacement pulse pack with non-original color codes. Also assume purple is what used to be red. (Purple is modern speak for ignition-on feed) They must all be wired correctly, because it does run, even if for a little bit.

Your task now is to trace the wires back to see why you lose the 12.5V on the purple/red wire with just the key on. I'd first check it at the key switch. All I or you or anybody else can do is make an educated guess, following the wiring diagram.
 

Doinit

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Sep 29, 2017
Messages
41
Ok , I did not have power when the key was on but now I do have power to the purple wire. Tried to start it and it fired but still did not run, only for a short time and it took a lot of cranking to get it to that point. It ran a little but key had to be held in on position.
 

Doinit

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Sep 29, 2017
Messages
41
Still needing help with this 1968 100 hp evinrude motor... I traced the wire back that goes to the purple and someone put it together with the voltage regulator. The auto choke has two wires coming off it, one goes to the key switch but I don?t know where the other one goes. It looks like someone put a longer wire on it but then taped up the end of it and never hooked it up. Now I know why the mechanics get paid well. I seem to have more questions than answers when it comes to outboards. Even though this motor is a 1968 it should start without having to take an hour to start it right?
 

Doinit

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Sep 29, 2017
Messages
41
Thank you F-R the motor started up today and without you telling me to find out if I had 12 volts at the purple wire I would still be trying to figure it out. Part of my problem was I was choking it when it does not need to be,I found that out today.Again Thanks for the help!
 
Top