How can I find replacements for obsolete parts?

[Keywil]

Hey all, I hope you can help me. I have a 1998 Johnson 150Ficht outboard. This summer the check engine light came on and off sporatically. The engine error code is #37 (Water in fuel). I took it to the local dealer and they could not find water in the fuel so figure it must be a faulty water sensor.

The problem is that the part number #438644 is obsolete and no longer offered by BRP. It is not available to the dealer network. I've googled for the part etc but can't find it available anywhere.

Any ideas on how I might be able to find a replacement sensor?

Much appreciated for any advice you can give.

 

[CharlieB]

Re: How can I find replacements for obsolete parts?

There are a couple of places that tend to have many of the discontinued parts, however the only name that comes to mind is Sea-Way in Seattle. I don't have a link but they should come up on a Google search.

Warning, they are very proud of having obsolete parts and price them accordingly.

I would be curious to see what other manufacturers are using a similar water sensor and if one could be used possibly needing an adapter fitting or changing the wiring terminal. Few manufacturers make their own parts, what Co is making these sensors?

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: How can I find replacements for obsolete parts?

I assume you have tried this Bombardier dealer: WARD BROTHERS BOATS INC., 106 E. ANTRIM STREET, CHARLEVOIX, MI, 49720 They may have one new one in stock. For some reason they don't list their phone number. Did you try Sea-Way marine in the Seattle area?

 

[seahorse5]

Re: How can I find replacements for obsolete parts?

You are describing a common complaint that is often an internal ECU problem as long as the wiring, connections, and filter water sensor are not shorted. contact dfitechnologies.com for the ECU repair.

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: How can I find replacements for obsolete parts?

Obsolete parts on a 1998 motor?? How? I get parts all the time, for my '50's vintage motors. Very odd.

Look in the "Top Secret File" in the top of this forum and in there, you will see a list of parts suppliers/salvage yards. I'm sure that one of those in there will be able to help out.

 

[Faztbullet]

Re: How can I find replacements for obsolete parts?

As Seahorse posted , this was a ghost error in the ECU/EMM programming. It can be fixed with the newer configuration loaded to it thru DFI as suggested.

 

[Keywil]

Re: How can I find replacements for obsolete parts?

Thank you very much for your quick response. I'm from Canada so I had contacted a local Canadian dealer who is part of the BRP dealer network. They were able to find the Ward Bro's Boats - I'll contact Ward Bro's today to see if the part is available.

The dealer also contacted BRP to find out what the deal is with this part. BRP explained that the part itself has a high failure rate and so BRP was discontinuing it. The solution according to BRP is to simply unplug the sensor.

Given a choice, I'd rather have a working part sensing for fuel in the water than not...

As per BRP - If I still have engine error indicators then it must be the ECU - I will contact dfitechnologies.com regardless.

Thank you again.

Question though: In all of my searching I wasn't able to find the part at any North American dealer or online. I never saw Ward Bro's Boats (at least no links to it when I looked around...) @ emdsapmgr - How did you know that Ward Bros is listing one in stock? Is there a website or other that I missed? Please advise, thank you.

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: How can I find replacements for obsolete parts?

Given a choice, I'd rather have a working part sensing for fuel in the water than not...

As per BRP - If I still have engine error indicators then it must be the ECU - I will contact dfitechnologies.com regardless.

Are you running a fuel/water separator?

 

[Keywil]

Re: How can I find replacements for obsolete parts?

I believe so. I had asked the dealer about that and he said they were standard equipment on that engine.

Make/Model: J150TSLEC

 

[Keywil]

Re: How can I find replacements for obsolete parts?

sorry that typo but I can't seem to edit my post....

Make/Model: J150FSLEC

Johnson, 150, Ficht Tilt and Trim, 20 inch shaft, 1998 model year..

 

[Keywil]

Re: How can I find replacements for obsolete parts?

I was able to purchae the part from Ward Bros Boats.

Question: @ emdsapmgr (or anyone who can answer...) How did you know that Ward Bros is listing the part in stock? Are you part of the BRP dealernetwork? or is there an online web app somewhere? I googled and googled and Ward Bros never came up.. in fact no one's inventory every came up.. the only resource seemed to be Parttarget.com and they replied that the part was obsolete...

 

[Keywil]

Re: How can I find replacements for obsolete parts?

I was able to purchase the part from Ward BRos Boats - thank you.

Question: @ emdsapmgr (or anyone who can answer...) - How did you know that Ward Bros is listing one in stock? Is there an inventory web app somewhere?

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: How can I find replacements for obsolete parts?

Bombardier keeps all the major dealers inventory in their online (private) factory system. Any Bombardier/Evinrude dealer can look through this inventory on their internal dealer network. It's not available to the public, but most dealers will inquire it online for you as a courtesy-give them a call.

 

[Keywil]

Re: How can I find replacements for obsolete parts?

Thank you sir. That's what I did with our dealer... apparently it's not free for the dealers

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: How can I find replacements for obsolete parts?

It is free for their full-line dealers. Not their "parts only" dealers. They need to "opt in" to participate. That also means they need to keep their inventory in some type of computer system and that it be maintained as perpetually accurate. Not all (smaller) dealers particpate for just that reason. They may feel that the extra inventory maintenance is a "cost."

 

[Keywil]

Re: How can I find replacements for obsolete parts?

Thanks for clarifying... my dealer who made the diagnosis is a parts and service only dealer... they referred me to a full BRP dealer to who found Ward Bros.