I tried the search feature and didn't really come up with much that I could make sense of for my situation. Here is what I'm trying to diagnose. 1991 Rinker Captiva 186, 4.3 Mercruiser. We dropped it in about a month ago, drove it to the lift where it waited for this past weekend. It started right up, ran for about five minutes while I was herding kids to go for a ride, and it died. No sputter or cough or warning. It started right back up and ran for maybe 15 seconds, died again. When I turned the key to the "on" position, no gauges, nav lights, bilge, or turnover, but the trim worked. I even swapped out batteries because we just replaced the pontoon battery - still had the same issue. No clicking when trying to start - just absolutely nothing but trim. There was a red "re-set" switch on the engine but it didn't seem like it was tripped. None of the dashboard re-sets seemed to do anything. The throttle firmly "clicks" and locks into neutral, so I don't think that was the problem. I've had recommendations as follows:
1. Make sure the battery is charged and has adequate cranking power. Even by using the "brand new" pontoon battery, this could still be the issue because you never know how much of a charge a battery has lost on a shelf and an outboard takes way less amperage to turn over.
2. Ignition switch is bad - replace it.
Any other thoughts. I looked everywhere but didn't see any fuses or anything like that.
Thanks!!!
1. Make sure the battery is charged and has adequate cranking power. Even by using the "brand new" pontoon battery, this could still be the issue because you never know how much of a charge a battery has lost on a shelf and an outboard takes way less amperage to turn over.
2. Ignition switch is bad - replace it.
Any other thoughts. I looked everywhere but didn't see any fuses or anything like that.
Thanks!!!
