Johnson 1997 150 Stumbles, Idles High

Philn

Seaman
Joined
Jun 13, 2008
Messages
53
Johnson 1997 150 Looper
Engine stumbles intermittently at planing speeds, sit for a few hours, then may run good for 40 minutes on the run home or may run bad. Once in a while will totally die at idle after being initially idled 5 minutes - crank it, won't start. Runs again in about 5 minutes.
Idling high at 1100 rpm even when fully warm ( with motor in barrel or on water)
Idle timing is 10 degrees ADTC which should make it idle low.
Quickstart does not kick in even at a cold start probably because high idle speed tells quick start not to engage.

Here is what I have done.
Carbs rebuilt including new bowls. New plug wires, fuel lines, water separator etc etc.
Ran on remote tank - ran worse.
Timing at WOT tested on the water is 20 degrees BTDC - right where it should be.
Compression 90-95 - Decarbed once no change in compression.
Connector housing connecting 5 power pack wires to timing plate was partially melted and some wire insulation melted. So something got really hot around there. Connector contacts ok and wires were taped up so they are not touching.
Adjusted the carb throttle plates.
Played with the idle mixtures on the water with no significant change to stumbling problem.
Any suggestions appreciated.
 

daselbee

Commander
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Jan 20, 2009
Messages
2,765
Re: Johnson 1997 150 Stumbles, Idles High

Boobie might very well call this a "OI sensor going ape".

shop.evinrude.com, drill to your motor, go to page "Throttle linkage", item #24, Sensor assy.

Use your original shop manual to do the proper tests.
 

Philn

Seaman
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Jun 13, 2008
Messages
53
Re: Johnson 1997 150 Stumbles, Idles High

OMC shop manual says timing sensor test requires OMC Ignition Analyzer tool.
Anyone know how to test this with a VOM or other non-proprietary means?
 

boobie

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Re: Johnson 1997 150 Stumbles, Idles High

NO!! Boobie will not call this one " an OSI sensor going ape ". Dasel, I'll guess you never experienced it.
 

daselbee

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Re: Johnson 1997 150 Stumbles, Idles High

I guess you might know of CDI's website?
http://www.cdielectronics.com
Go to their tech support pages, and load the CDI Troubleshooting Guide. Starting on page 61 is an excellent write up of the OIS ignition system.

Regarding testing with a VOM, all that is referenced are two voltage measurements. I don't really think those measurements give an accurate picture of the sensor's operation. Seems like a really rough go-no go approach to testing.

Those sensors act real flaky.
 
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daselbee

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Re: Johnson 1997 150 Stumbles, Idles High

NO!! Boobie will not call this one " an OSI sensor going ape ". Dasel, I'll guess you never experienced it.

No, absolutely right. I have not seen what you must be referring to, I guess.
A quick description, please? While we are on this OIS problem....
 

boobie

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Re: Johnson 1997 150 Stumbles, Idles High

They will go from 2000 to 3000 rpm for no apparent reason when at idle speed. The old OMC explanation was the "eyes" got crossed in the sensor. That's what I heard in an engineering meeting. They will also cause you to have no spark for no apparent reason.
 
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bob johnson

Rear Admiral
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Feb 25, 2009
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Re: Johnson 1997 150 Stumbles, Idles High

No, absolutely right. I have not seen what you must be referring to, I guess.
A quick description, please? While we are on this OIS problem....

while we wait for the OP to get back............what are the symptoms of a bad, or acting up OIS sensor??????

since I have a few, and use them in rough weather often.... Id want to be able to diagnose issues fast....or at least rule out things fast

bob
 

boobie

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Re: Johnson 1997 150 Stumbles, Idles High

Dasel, buy the sensor and keep it in your tool box
 

daselbee

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Re: Johnson 1997 150 Stumbles, Idles High

Ok....I will do just that. Makes "testing" the sensor easy that way...

He posted that the wires to the sensor got very hot didn't he? Points to the sensor, to me.
 

Philn

Seaman
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Jun 13, 2008
Messages
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Re: Johnson 1997 150 Stumbles, Idles High

I will try a new sensor and post results when done.

thanks,
 
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