E150 Dies, Immediately Restarts

[s.wxman]

Looking for diagnostic help. 1995 E150ELEOM V6 w/ OIS Ignition System.

Not a high hour engine. Starts easily, runs great. On a Fish and Ski boat. Can sometimes go out and run for 2-3 hours pulling the tube/skiing without issue. Most times out, however, I will have at least one instance of the engine shutting down. This happens while running and/or while decelerating. The engine cuts off instantly, like key shutoff, without stumbling or any rough running. When it happens I can put in neutral and immediately restart without issue. Once in a while it will stop and 'recatch' before the prop stops windmilling.

I have had it in for service and they 'could not duplicate'. They did some basic tune-up items, including rebuilding two carbs. No real changes I could notice.
I am looking for some troubleshooting tips as I hate to take back in and leave for service here at the beginning of fishing season just to have another CND.

I think I will clean the tank and replace fuel pickup/lines, but I am sort of leaning toward electrical since it cuts out/dies instantly, without stumbling or coughing, and then immediately restarts without issue.

All help appreciated.

 

[JDusza]

Re: E150 Dies, Immediately Restarts

Might just be running a little too lean.
J

 

[s.wxman]

Re: E150 Dies, Immediately Restarts

Interesting. The shop tech rebuilt two of the carbs because he thought they were running too rich, especially at idle. I have no issues except the instant shut downs, usually at mid throttle running or just slowing from mid throttle running. The first few times it happened I looked at the kill switch (that is how instant the stoppages are).

Thanks

 

[hidef]

Re: E150 Dies, Immediately Restarts

Sounds like you have an intermittent electrical problem. Unfortunately not the easiest thing in the world to troubleshoot. Look at the CDI guide the link is in my sig file.

 

[s.wxman]

Re: E150 Dies, Immediately Restarts

Thanks for the link. I had seen excerpts of this guide, but not the entire thing. I just wish it would 'break' so I could figure out what to fix.

 

[JDusza]

Re: E150 Dies, Immediately Restarts

Any merit in checking the control box for a loose something shorting out ignition as you pass through to idle?
Main kill on the box?
No issues throttling up, right? Doesn't falter when increasing speed, correct?

 

[bob johnson]

Re: E150 Dies, Immediately Restarts

id look for loose wires in the stop circuit....go over every inch of the wiring...and look for a short possibility.....I cant believe an fuel issue would shut you don't so fast in repeatable fashion....good luckbob

 

[s.wxman]

Re: E150 Dies, Immediately Restarts

That is the area where I am going to start. Has never happened throttling up that I remember. Has happened during steady cruise and while pulling throttle back to slow. Has happened at beginning of the day and after engine has been run and is warm. It is so sudden I am going to check and/or replace ignition switch and the associated kill switch. I doubt the kill switch is a cause since open is run, but who knows. I can see how the ignition switch could be the culprit if voltage is somehow leaking or spiking to the kill wire. It is an easy and relatively inexpensive place to begin. It is so intermittent it will take a couple days running to have any confidence.
Thank you