what does an ESA do?

[bryx9]

83 sea ray-the shifter switch is closed to ground until the cam on the shift cable opens it. the other side of the switch goes to a module someone said was an ESA. The ESA has 2 wires going to the distributor (there is no coil ) I guess the wires to the distributor provide the 12 volt for it to run, but how the switch opening up stops the engine is beyond me. The next question is how do I find the right ESA-there are no numbers on it? Thanks

 

[Black as]

Re: what does an ESA do?

I think you will need to provide more information, what is the problem you are having and what engine do you have.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: what does an ESA do?

The ESA momentarily grounds out the engine ignition so the the helical cut gears can be disengaged. The gears are cut so that they are held into engagement while under power. As such. they do not want to disengage when the engine is developing any power.

I am wondering if someone has not tampered with your setup. Your '83 would have been a Stringer full Mechanical outdrive. It would have come with a standard coil/point setup. When converting to any kind of electronic ignition you have to jump through hoops to build a solid state gizmo that will take the place of the standard ESA setup.

As far as I know, your original ESA switch would have been located on the shift converter box that is mounted off the back of your engine or on the inside of the stern. Originally I think it was a simple ground out circuit with no electronics involved.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: what does an ESA do?

http://www.marineengine.com/parts/o...ve&section=Adapter+Housing+And+Shift+Assembly


Item #75.

 

[bryx9]

Re: what does an ESA do?

I guess I should have said " how does an ESA work". I know what it is supposed to do and why. I know that the engine was replaced, so I guess they put in a later year one. I cut the wires off the switch and found the hot wire to the distributor and spliced it to the switch. It seems to be working good. I hope the switch can handle the voltage. I left the soldered connections open, so if the switch gives out I can jump it and get back to the dock Heh Heh. Anyway thanks for all your guys interest and help

 

[Reinell-BRXL-191]

Re: what does an ESA do?

Sounds to me like he might have an HEI auto distributor on his engine...