'00 225 Ficht Starting Problem -

[RayD]

Have an 2000 Evinrude Ficht 225 with a starting problem. Motor has been very reliable (I know they do not have the best reputation). By way of background, I did just have the engine management module (EMM) in this motor reconditioned and new software loaded over the summer and plugs are fresh, no carbon, etc.. Hoping someone might be able to lend some insight, as I am stumped.

Boat equipped with twins, starboard motor runs fine, port is the issue.
Ignition switch turned to run, fuel pump runs as it should, and when ignition turned to start, motor cranks with no problems. The motor seems to catch, but will not continue to run. It acts as if the key is being turned off, rather than hesitating and dying, etc. My initial reaction was fuel starvation or lack of spark. Motor was running fine last week - moving along at 4000 rpm on both engines and port simply died as if shut down,

- I just replaced plugs on both motors, gapped at .28, indexed properly
- Replaced fuel filters - no shavings or contaminants (including water) in fuel
- Confirmed fuel is flowing from main tank through filter into primary fuel pump
- Ran diagnostic software, no codes.
- Spark test on all cylinders seems to be ok
- injector test on all cylinders seems to be ok (I at least was able to verify EMM is communicating with each injector as "clicking" of injector mechanism seems to be in order.)
- Ran fuel pump test through software and seems to be working
- Ran oil pump test through software and seems to be working
- I have checked all fuses in the power distribution panel
- I have checked voltage at the starter solenoid and all seems fine
- I have checked the kill switch at the helm - seems fine

The only wrinkle in all of this is that I was trimming the port engine at the helm when the motor died. I pulled the throttle apart and did find a worn wire, which i have since fixed. I thought that this could have possibly shorted the ignition switch, but once repaired it does not seem to have made any difference.


I am stumped. Could it be the fuel lift pump? Any thoughts and/or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

RayD

[barnacle bills marine]

When the engine is cranking does your tach read anything? The engine needs a tach signal to get things going. If you do there is a good chance you have no fuel pressure. WIth a bad lift pump you should be able to get the enigne running by priming the fuel ball. Some items that can cause no fuel pressure is a fuel injector that is leaking down or stuck open or a bad pressure regulator in the high pressure pump.

[RayD]

I have finally confirmed a bad EMM. I installed the starboard EMM as a temporary replacement at suggestion of DFI Tech in Alababma, and the motor started immediately and ran without issue. I will be sending the faulty EMM to DFI for repair immediately. I hope this resolution can help someone else with a similar problem. Thanks for the suggestions. - Incidentally, I did get a tach signal when starting and confirmed fuel pressure. Thanks again.