I reveresed my battery and now....
 

I appear to only have two cylinders firing. I have a 100 HP Yamaha
4-stroke. I inadvertently reversed the polarity and tried to start it.
We replaced the fuse and it started, but ran rough. today we removed
and cleaned the plugs (too late to get new ones).

Anyone have any words of advice. (my wife is taking care of telling
what MORON I am, so you can skip those emails).

P

I reveresed my battery and now....
 

Time to visit the Yamaha shop and have them check what you burned up!


"El Penguini" wrote in message
oups.com...
I appear to only have two cylinders firing. I have a 100 HP Yamaha
4-stroke. I inadvertently reversed the polarity and tried to start it.
We replaced the fuse and it started, but ran rough. today we removed
and cleaned the plugs (too late to get new ones).

Anyone have any words of advice. (my wife is taking care of telling
what MORON I am, so you can skip those emails).

P

I reveresed my battery and now....
 

Right. Maybe the computer module. Take out a 2nd mortgage right away.
:-( And, don't tell your wife what you did.

"Lost In Space/Woodchuck" wrote in message
...
Time to visit the Yamaha shop and have them check what you burned up!


"El Penguini" wrote in message
oups.com...
I appear to only have two cylinders firing. I have a 100 HP Yamaha
4-stroke. I inadvertently reversed the polarity and tried to start it.
We replaced the fuse and it started, but ran rough. today we removed
and cleaned the plugs (too late to get new ones).

Anyone have any words of advice. (my wife is taking care of telling
what MORON I am, so you can skip those emails).

P

I reveresed my battery and now....
 

"El Penguini" wrote in message

Anyone have any words of advice.

Next time, have your wife connect the battery.

I reveresed my battery and now....
 

Are these the best responses the Internet has to offer? I was looking
for some real help, not this crap.

I reveresed my battery and now....
 

"El Penguini" wrote in message
oups.com...
Are these the best responses the Internet has to offer? I was looking
for some real help, not this crap.



Crap? You motor has an electronic ignition module, which mechanics will call
"the computer". Just about everything else in the motor involves fat wires
which were not likely to be damaged. Chances are very good that a repair
shop can test the ignition module. If you want to get back to boating more
quickly, you'll take that next step. Otherwise, you can whine and search the
web for the next week or three. It's up to you.

I reveresed my battery and now....
 

On 28 May 2006 04:40:06 -0700, "El Penguini"
wrote:

Are these the best responses the Internet has to offer? I was looking
for some real help, not this crap.

You may have gotten the best answers available from those who were up late
last night or early this morning. Some of the actual mechanic guys may not
be here until later. Don't get upset (too much) with a few 'smart assed'
replies. The knowledgeable folks will (hopefully) weigh in later. Some
folks don't visit the group on weekends, some folks are smart-asses, most
here don't know much about Yamaha 4-stroke engines, and there is a small
percentage that *may* have an idea to help you diagnose the problem.

You may have already received the best advice - visit a Yamaha shop and see
what (chips, etc.) you may have burned up.

Good luck. You've got my sympathy, if nothing useful!
--
'Til next time,

John H

******************************************
***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****
******************************************

I reveresed my battery and now....
 

JohnH wrote:
On 28 May 2006 04:40:06 -0700, "El Penguini"
wrote:

Are these the best responses the Internet has to offer? I was looking
for some real help, not this crap.

You may have gotten the best answers available from those who were up late
last night or early this morning. Some of the actual mechanic guys may not
be here until later. Don't get upset (too much) with a few 'smart assed'
replies. The knowledgeable folks will (hopefully) weigh in later. Some
folks don't visit the group on weekends, some folks are smart-asses, most
here don't know much about Yamaha 4-stroke engines, and there is a small
percentage that *may* have an idea to help you diagnose the problem.

You may have already received the best advice - visit a Yamaha shop and see
what (chips, etc.) you may have burned up.

Good luck. You've got my sympathy, if nothing useful!
--
'Til next time,

John H

******************************************
***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****
******************************************


While there were some jokes along the way, as you pointed out,he really
did get the only advice anyone can give over the Internet.

Harry, Lost, Joe and even John gave this guy really good advice, he just
was not able to understand it. If he thought their responses were crap
he obviously not only does not have the equipment or the skills to
repair the OB, but is obviously new to Usenet if he found these
responses offensive.

" Time to visit the Yamaha shop and have them check what you burned up!"

Right. Maybe the computer module. Take out a 2nd mortgage right away.
:-( And, don't tell your wife what you did.

Next time, have your wife connect the battery.

Crap? You motor has an electronic ignition module, which mechanics will
call
"the computer". Just about everything else in the motor involves fat wires
which were not likely to be damaged. Chances are very good that a repair
shop can test the ignition module. If you want to get back to boating more
quickly, you'll take that next step. Otherwise, you can whine and search
the
web for the next week or three. It's up to you.


You have a modern outboard motor heavily dependent upon electronics.
When you tried to start the motor with the battery polarity reversed,
you probably damaged some circuitry in the motor, possibly the computer.
You probably are going to need diagnostic equipment and the skills to
know how to use it to fix it. If you don't have the gear and the skills,
you're going to have to seek out a competent outboard repairman.

Suggestion: put a dab of flame red nail polish on the top of the PLUS
terminals of your batteries and on the exterior of the clamps on the
PLUS cables of your wiring. Next time you mess around with the battery,
terminals and cables, if you don't see "RED" everywhere, stop what you
are doing.

--
Reggie

That's my story and I am sticking to it.

I reveresed my battery and now....
 

You might be able to buy a computer module on E bay. If that is the problem
then you just fixed it. If not sell the module back on ebay.

I reveresed my battery and now....
 

On Sun, 28 May 2006 07:50:31 -0400, Harry Krause
wrote:

El Penguini wrote:
Are these the best responses the Internet has to offer? I was looking
for some real help, not this crap.



You have a modern outboard motor heavily dependent upon electronics.
When you tried to start the motor with the battery polarity reversed,
you probably damaged some circuitry in the motor, possibly the computer.
You probably are going to need diagnostic equipment and the skills to
know how to use it to fix it. If you don't have the gear and the skills,
you're going to have to seek out a competent outboard repairman.

Suggestion: put a dab of flame red nail polish on the top of the PLUS
terminals of your batteries and on the exterior of the clamps on the
PLUS cables of your wiring. Next time you mess around with the battery,
terminals and cables, if you don't see "RED" everywhere, stop what you
are doing.

Good morning, Harry!
--
'Til next time,

John H

******************************************
***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****
******************************************

I reveresed my battery and now....
 

On Sun, 28 May 2006 08:07:37 -0400, "Reginald P. Smithers"
wrote:

JohnH wrote:
On 28 May 2006 04:40:06 -0700, "El Penguini"
wrote:

Are these the best responses the Internet has to offer? I was looking
for some real help, not this crap.

You may have gotten the best answers available from those who were up late
last night or early this morning. Some of the actual mechanic guys may not
be here until later. Don't get upset (too much) with a few 'smart assed'
replies. The knowledgeable folks will (hopefully) weigh in later. Some
folks don't visit the group on weekends, some folks are smart-asses, most
here don't know much about Yamaha 4-stroke engines, and there is a small
percentage that *may* have an idea to help you diagnose the problem.

You may have already received the best advice - visit a Yamaha shop and see
what (chips, etc.) you may have burned up.

Good luck. You've got my sympathy, if nothing useful!
--
'Til next time,

John H

******************************************
***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****
******************************************


While there were some jokes along the way, as you pointed out,he really
did get the only advice anyone can give over the Internet.

Harry, Lost, Joe and even John gave this guy really good advice, he just
was not able to understand it. If he thought their responses were crap
he obviously not only does not have the equipment or the skills to
repair the OB, but is obviously new to Usenet if he found these
responses offensive.

" Time to visit the Yamaha shop and have them check what you burned up!"

Right. Maybe the computer module. Take out a 2nd mortgage right away.
:-( And, don't tell your wife what you did.

Next time, have your wife connect the battery.

Crap? You motor has an electronic ignition module, which mechanics will
call
"the computer". Just about everything else in the motor involves fat wires
which were not likely to be damaged. Chances are very good that a repair
shop can test the ignition module. If you want to get back to boating more
quickly, you'll take that next step. Otherwise, you can whine and search
the
web for the next week or three. It's up to you.


You have a modern outboard motor heavily dependent upon electronics.
When you tried to start the motor with the battery polarity reversed,
you probably damaged some circuitry in the motor, possibly the computer.
You probably are going to need diagnostic equipment and the skills to
know how to use it to fix it. If you don't have the gear and the skills,
you're going to have to seek out a competent outboard repairman.

Suggestion: put a dab of flame red nail polish on the top of the PLUS
terminals of your batteries and on the exterior of the clamps on the
PLUS cables of your wiring. Next time you mess around with the battery,
terminals and cables, if you don't see "RED" everywhere, stop what you
are doing.

Good morning, Sir Reginald.
--
'Til next time,

John H

******************************************
***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****
******************************************

I reveresed my battery and now....
 

"Rick" wrote in message
...
You might be able to buy a computer module on E bay. If that is the
problem then you just fixed it. If not sell the module back on ebay.


Possibly, but I'm wondering what's involved in testing it first. The module
for my motor runs around $300.00. When I bought it used from the dealer, the
module died during the first hour of testing. It took less than an hour for
them to change it, but I suspect that if it hadn't been under warranty, they
still would've charged an hour's labor. So....re-sell the module on e-bay
and lose how much? Or, maybe not. Or, take it to the dealer and get it over
with. It all depends....

More coffee....

I reveresed my battery and now....
 

"Reginald P. Smithers" wrote in message
...
JohnH wrote:
On 28 May 2006 04:40:06 -0700, "El Penguini"
wrote:

Are these the best responses the Internet has to offer? I was looking
for some real help, not this crap.

You may have gotten the best answers available from those who were up
late
last night or early this morning. Some of the actual mechanic guys may
not
be here until later. Don't get upset (too much) with a few 'smart assed'
replies. The knowledgeable folks will (hopefully) weigh in later. Some
folks don't visit the group on weekends, some folks are smart-asses, most
here don't know much about Yamaha 4-stroke engines, and there is a small
percentage that *may* have an idea to help you diagnose the problem. You
may have already received the best advice - visit a Yamaha shop and see
what (chips, etc.) you may have burned up.

Good luck. You've got my sympathy, if nothing useful!
--
'Til next time,

John H

******************************************
***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****
******************************************


While there were some jokes along the way, as you pointed out,he really
did get the only advice anyone can give over the Internet.

Harry, Lost, Joe and even John gave this guy really good advice, he just
was not able to understand it. If he thought their responses were crap he
obviously not only does not have the equipment or the skills to repair the
OB, but is obviously new to Usenet if he found these responses offensive.

" Time to visit the Yamaha shop and have them check what you burned up!"

Right. Maybe the computer module. Take out a 2nd mortgage right away.
:-( And, don't tell your wife what you did.

Next time, have your wife connect the battery.

Crap? You motor has an electronic ignition module, which mechanics will
call
"the computer". Just about everything else in the motor involves fat wires
which were not likely to be damaged. Chances are very good that a repair
shop can test the ignition module. If you want to get back to boating more
quickly, you'll take that next step. Otherwise, you can whine and search
the
web for the next week or three. It's up to you.


You have a modern outboard motor heavily dependent upon electronics. When
you tried to start the motor with the battery polarity reversed, you
probably damaged some circuitry in the motor, possibly the computer. You
probably are going to need diagnostic equipment and the skills to know how
to use it to fix it. If you don't have the gear and the skills, you're
going to have to seek out a competent outboard repairman.

Suggestion: put a dab of flame red nail polish on the top of the PLUS
terminals of your batteries and on the exterior of the clamps on the PLUS
cables of your wiring. Next time you mess around with the battery,
terminals and cables, if you don't see "RED" everywhere, stop what you are
doing.
Reggie

I agree. A friend of mine has two stupid dogs who chewed a wire harness to
pieces in his John Deere tractor. He found the dogs trying to squeeze their
heads under his Jaguar next. Why he didn't kill them is beyond me. But,
another friend and I arrived at that moment and did the right thing: Offered
him a beer, the use of one of our handguns, some smartass comments which he
understood as being the traditional first way of addressing mechanical
issues. This is normal.

I reveresed my battery and now....
 

"Harry Krause" wrote in message
...
JoeSpareBedroom wrote:
"Rick" wrote in message
...
You might be able to buy a computer module on E bay. If that is the
problem then you just fixed it. If not sell the module back on ebay.


Possibly, but I'm wondering what's involved in testing it first. The
module for my motor runs around $300.00. When I bought it used from the
dealer, the module died during the first hour of testing. It took less
than an hour for them to change it, but I suspect that if it hadn't been
under warranty, they still would've charged an hour's labor.
So....re-sell the module on e-bay and lose how much? Or, maybe not. Or,
take it to the dealer and get it over with. It all depends....

More coffee....

I'd be wary of a "used" outboard electronics module for sale on eBay.

Yeah. For some purchases, I want to be able to walk back into the place of
business and make trouble, very loudly if necessary, when the place is full
of customers. Luckily, this is hardly ever necessary.

I reveresed my battery and now....
 

Harry Krause wrote:
JoeSpareBedroom wrote:
"Rick" wrote in message
...
You might be able to buy a computer module on E bay. If that is the
problem then you just fixed it. If not sell the module back on ebay.


Possibly, but I'm wondering what's involved in testing it first. The
module for my motor runs around $300.00. When I bought it used from
the dealer, the module died during the first hour of testing. It took
less than an hour for them to change it, but I suspect that if it
hadn't been under warranty, they still would've charged an hour's
labor. So....re-sell the module on e-bay and lose how much? Or, maybe
not. Or, take it to the dealer and get it over with. It all depends....

More coffee....


I'd be wary of a "used" outboard electronics module for sale on eBay.

If possible, I try to do my online business with a store that actually
has a brick and mortar store also. It is too easy for shysters to come
and go too if all they have invested is a web page.

--
Reggie

That's my story and I am sticking to it.

I reveresed my battery and now....
 

"El Penguini" wrote in message

Are these the best responses the Internet has to offer? I was looking
for some real help, not this crap.

CRAP??!! I think not. Given that you already overlooked the big "+" and
"-" signs embossed on the battery, and you already overlooked the [probable]
fact that one big fat cable is RED and the other big fat cable is BLACK, my
immediate sense would be that the most timely and valid advice available
would be to henceforth have someone else work on the engine. Nothing
personal -- just reality. Many people who are adept with things mechanical
probably couldn't do your job intuitively, either.

I reveresed my battery and now....
 

"El Penguini" wrote in message

...... Surely, someone at Yamaha is smarter than me, and
said, "if El Penguini loses his mind and reverses the battery, we
should make it a $0.50 repair instead of a $500 repair."

Why should the manufacturer subsidize the foibles of amateurs? I'm sure
there are warnings and stickers all over the engine and manual to the effect
that only qualified professionals should mess with this stuff. The folks at
Yamaha, and others, know intuitively that for some mistakes, the repair
will be $500, and no amount of anticipatory design engineering will change
that.

I reveresed my battery and now....
 

I'm sorry, but you guys are idiots. I've never received such poor help
on a newsgroup as I have here.

I reveresed my battery and now....
 

On 28 May 2006 09:37:52 -0700, "El Penguini"
wrote:

I'm sorry, but you guys are idiots. I've never received such poor help
on a newsgroup as I have here.

Did you heed what I told you? No.

I'd be surprised, now, if anyone *did* offer to provide more help.

To call someone an idiot, because they can't completely diagnose your
problem over the internet, seems to be the height of 'idiocy. If you, sir,
are right there and can't diagnose your problem, what, pray tell, does that
make you?
--
'Til next time,

John H

******************************************
***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****
******************************************

I reveresed my battery and now....
 

El Penguini wrote:
I'm sorry, but you guys are idiots. I've never received such poor help
on a newsgroup as I have here.



You get what you paid for!

I reveresed my battery and now....
 

"El Penguini" wrote in message

Simple Diagnostics.

in this case, oxymoronic. Check qualified technician.

Probability of doing further damage while
diagnosing or running the engine.

High. Check qualified technician.

....other possible failure modes.

myriad. Check qualified technician.

What do cylinders 1 and 3 have in common...

Unknown, but sounds like something related to ignition. Check qualified
technician.

I replaced the
fuse I blew in the process, which should have protected the
electronics, no?

Not necessarily. Check qualified technician.

.... Some dip**** damaged my boat,my wife was
yelling at them/me while I was doing this.

..... and now history has repeated itself.

I reveresed my battery and now....
 

"El Penguini" wrote in message

I've never received such poor help
on a newsgroup as I have here.

Gee, you sign on and post "I fried my electrical system-tell me what's
broken" and then get aggravated when no specific answers are forthcoming.

In an earlier post, you wrote "Some dip**** damaged my boat..." I didn't
realize at the time you were being autobiographical.

I reveresed my battery and now....
 

"El Penguini" wrote in message
ups.com...
I'm sorry, but you guys are idiots. I've never received such poor help
on a newsgroup as I have here.



I suspect that if you think you're having a heart attack, you'll call your
doctor, stick the phone on your chest, and ask him if things sound right.

I reveresed my battery and now....
 

Don White wrote:
El Penguini wrote:
I'm sorry, but you guys are idiots. I've never received such poor help
on a newsgroup as I have here.



You get what you paid for!
He wants a refund.

--
Reggie

That's my story and I am sticking to it.

I reveresed my battery and now....
 

The Yammy expert should be along shortly to offer you some advice. The
advice you get kind of depends on you.
Happy Memorial Day
Jim

I reveresed my battery and now....
 

"El Penguini" wrote in message
ups.com...
I'm sorry, but you guys are idiots. I've never received such poor help
on a newsgroup as I have here.



How old are you? I'm just curious - it's something I ask a lot.

I reveresed my battery and now....
 

I'm posting this in the event that someone else does something similar
and thinks that this newsgroup might offer any real advice.

The reverse polarity was properly fused and did no damage. There is a
very, very small chance of doing damage (from the Yamaha expert I
contacted), and my other problems were related to the idiot that
damaged my boat in the first place.

Now, you fools should learn to not answer things you don't know about.
That is the most distressing part of the internet. I expected someone
(in the 33 posts so far) would say, "Well, El Penguini, that wasn't
smart, but here's what you need to do...." or provide some personal
experience. Other newsgroups I've talked with have provided that help.
But the internet isn't what it used to be, know that you don't have to
be educated to get connected.

So, while you all enjoyed yourselves, sitting smugly in front of your
computer offering such sage advice as, "Have your wife connect your
battery" and "Look for the plus sign," I figured out another source of
information that was actually helpful.

If you think this is help, you're confusing helping others with
masturbating. Both feel good to you, but only one feels good to both
people.

I reveresed my battery and now....
 

On 29 May 2006 17:55:25 -0700, "El Penguini"
wrote:

I'm posting this in the event that someone else does something similar
and thinks that this newsgroup might offer any real advice.

The reverse polarity was properly fused and did no damage. There is a
very, very small chance of doing damage (from the Yamaha expert I
contacted), and my other problems were related to the idiot that
damaged my boat in the first place.

Now, you fools should learn to not answer things you don't know about.
That is the most distressing part of the internet. I expected someone
(in the 33 posts so far) would say, "Well, El Penguini, that wasn't
smart, but here's what you need to do...." or provide some personal
experience. Other newsgroups I've talked with have provided that help.
But the internet isn't what it used to be, know that you don't have to
be educated to get connected.

So, while you all enjoyed yourselves, sitting smugly in front of your
computer offering such sage advice as, "Have your wife connect your
battery" and "Look for the plus sign," I figured out another source of
information that was actually helpful.

If you think this is help, you're confusing helping others with
masturbating. Both feel good to you, but only one feels good to both
people.

I'm sure we were all glad you followed the advice to contact a Yamaha
expert. You got good advice, and you followed it.

Good for you.
--
'Til next time,

John H

******************************************
***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****
******************************************

I reveresed my battery and now....
 

"El Penguini" wrote in message .

I'm posting this in the event that someone else does something similar
and thinks that this newsgroup might offer any real advice.

Now, you fools should learn to not answer things you don't know about.
That is the most distressing part of the internet. I expected someone
(in the 33 posts so far) would say, "Well, El Penguini, that wasn't
smart, but here's what you need to do...."

Get your head out of your ass and grow up. You're the one who screwed up -
you and some unnamed mystery man who supposedly damaged your boat and caused
you to be distracted - so redirect your ire in the proper direction. I
counted ten different posters in this thread, not counting your whining, and
of the ten, eight of them clearly and firmly stated in one or more posts,
"Check with a qualified tech..." The two remaining implied agreement with
that suggestion.

That's a minimum of 80%, and arguably a 100% success rate in providing the
proper, safe, efficient response from this NG.

So, next time I hook my battery up in reverse, I'll know where to come with
questions.

I reveresed my battery and now....
 

"Gene Kearns" wrote in message
...
On 29 May 2006 17:55:25 -0700, El Penguini penned the following well
considered thoughts to the readers of rec.boats:


The reverse polarity was properly fused and did no damage. There is a
very, very small chance of doing damage (from the Yamaha expert I
contacted), and my other problems were related to the idiot that
damaged my boat in the first place.

I guess we were supposed to gaze into the crystal ball and see that
"the idiot that damaged my boat" (whatever that means) was the cause
of an electrical failure and not you reversing polarity of the battery
voltage.

That was Soooooo obvious I should have caught that..... yep, I'm an
idiot......


This guy's twin brother posted a message in alt.home.repair. He just bought
a new dining room table and he wants to know what finish is on it. He wants
to apply a second one that won't damage the first. People reading the
question are supposed to close their eyes, think really hard, and divine his
table's finish. Meanwhile, the ******'s got the web address of the
manufacturer. I guess he can't figure out how to use his phone.