E2RCOC That Likes to Bite!

[JDusza]

Hi, guys,
Last year I opined on an Evinrude 2 hp that was shocking! Whenever you touched the ignition plate, i.e., the throttle, AND another part of the engine, ZAP! OUCH! And more I shall not mention.
I'm back at it and I wonder if: a slight contact between the magneto and the flywheel would give up this kind of shock. The engine stays running, but, zap. So, I figure it's an intermittent short as a continuous short should stall the engine. I have noticed skive marks along the magnet in the flywheel, so, I am now thinking fly-by contact with leading edge of magneto.
Does this make sense?
I should be able to shim the magnet off the magneto at reassembly, no?
Thank for your input!
Cheers!
J

 

[F_R]

Re: E2RCOC That Likes to Bite!

Nice idea, but no. You should check to see if the ground wire is in place and connected between the powerhead and magneto plate. If it isn't, then YOU are the connection.

EDIT: Picture added

 

[JDusza]

Re: E2RCOC That Likes to Bite!

Aye, aye, Sir.
Ground wire is in place, however, there could be a humble connection. There's a lot of oxide in the area.
I will take apart and clean.
Thank you,
J

 

[boobie]

Re: E2RCOC That Likes to Bite!

Also check the wire for continuity with an ohmmeter.

 

[JDusza]

Re: E2RCOC That Likes to Bite!

Cleaned all connections very well. I'll check the continuity, but, I gotta believe it is there. Any chance the ground is busted within the magneto plate?
Thanks,
J

 

[JDusza]

Re: E2RCOC That Likes to Bite!

Oh, Boobie? You've gone and done it again....
I totally detached the ground wire and tested it alone. It's gone. Must be really corroded within the jacket because it LOOKS fine.
Made a new harness and installed. Shocking is gone!
Thanks,
J

 

[F_R]

Re: E2RCOC That Likes to Bite!

Now, would you like the explanation? The spark voltage goes to the plug, jumps the gap in the plug, then to ground. That's not the end of it though. That electricity must make it all the way back to the coil, which makes it a complete circuit.

So...in "most" motors, it is no problem because the coil is grounded to the mag plate and the mag plate is grounded to the powerhead. However, the 2hp is a tad different. The mag plate is mounted on a plastic bushing, which is non conductive, so it isn't grounded to the powerhead. The ground wire is necessary to make that ground circuit complete. If it is missing or broken, YOU become the wire. And that spark travels through your body and gets your immediate attention.

 

[boobie]

Re: E2RCOC That Likes to Bite!

Glad to have helped you out.