Engie Starts - then shuts off when I return the key to run.

[tjsolberg]

Need assistance please - I have a 1987 Sea Ray Sundancer with OMC 5.7L engines. When I go to start my STBD engine, it starts just fine until I release the key from the start position to the run position, then it shuts down. For some reason, It's losing the 12 volts to the coil to stay running. I can run a jumper from the battery to the + side of the coil and it'll run just fine. So, I checked my alternator by swapping alternator's from one engine to the other and it works fine on the other engine. I did continuity checks on all the wires and everything checked out. I swapped the starter relay to the other engine and it worked fine. I checked my ignition switch and it's working correctly. All my fuses are good. The only thing I haven't swapped out yet is the starter, but I'm not sure how that plays into this after it starts. I know it provides the 12 volts to the coil from the starter solenoid during the start, but I'm not sure if the starter solenoid can be the cause. It doesn't make sense to me because the alternator provides the 12 volts to the coil after the start if I have this right. Any suggestions would be great. I bought a new starter, but haven't put it in yet and don't want to if that isn't the cause, but I swapped everything else I could think of in the start system and it all checked out. The only I can think of now is the starter. Thanks for the help in advance.

Tim

 

[john4040]

Re: Engie Starts - then shuts off when I return the key to run.

sounds like bad ignition switch to me

 

[boatguya1]

Re: Engie Starts - then shuts off when I return the key to run.

Need assistance please - I have a 1987 Sea Ray Sundancer with OMC 5.7L engines. When I go to start my STBD engine, it starts just fine until I release the key from the start position to the run position, then it shuts down. For some reason, It's losing the 12 volts to the coil to stay running. I can run a jumper from the battery to the + side of the coil and it'll run just fine. So, I checked my alternator by swapping alternator's from one engine to the other and it works fine on the other engine. I did continuity checks on all the wires and everything checked out. I swapped the starter relay to the other engine and it worked fine. I checked my ignition switch and it's working correctly. All my fuses are good. The only thing I haven't swapped out yet is the starter, but I'm not sure how that plays into this after it starts. I know it provides the 12 volts to the coil from the starter solenoid during the start, but I'm not sure if the starter solenoid can be the cause. It doesn't make sense to me because the alternator provides the 12 volts to the coil after the start if I have this right. Any suggestions would be great. I bought a new starter, but haven't put it in yet and don't want to if that isn't the cause, but I swapped everything else I could think of in the start system and it all checked out. The only I can think of now is the starter. Thanks for the help in advance.

Tim

Check kill cord/switch for that motor. If that is not it check the ign switch. You can use your jumper wire on the ign switch between the B and I terminals (red wire and purple wire) to check the switch.

 

[Don S]

Re: Engie Starts - then shuts off when I return the key to run.

Check the + terminal on the coil with the key in the run position. Do you have voltage? If not somewhere between the coil and the ignition switch (Including the ign. sw.) the link has been broken, defective ign. sw, kill switch, bad connection, you are just going to have to follow the power with a meter and find where it ends
There is a wire from the starter solenoid that gives full voltage to the coil while the starter is engaged. That is why it runs then.

 

[emoney]

Re: Engie Starts - then shuts off when I return the key to run.

You could swap the ignition switches to help narrow it down at least. Sounds an awful lot like a neutral safety switch issue.

 

[tjsolberg]

Re: Engie Starts - then shuts off when I return the key to run.

I assume the neutral safety switch is in the shifter control box, is that correct. But if I jump coil straight to the battery, I can run the engine all day and shift no problem. But I guess I'm by passing the safety switch though. Anyway, I will try switching the ignition switchees just because. I did disconnect everything and do a continuity check in the start and run positions and it worked fine.

 

[tjsolberg]

Re: Engie Starts - then shuts off when I return the key to run.

Check the + terminal on the coil with the key in the run position. Do you have voltage? If not somewhere between the coil and the ignition switch (Including the ign. sw.) the link has been broken, defective ign. sw, kill switch, bad connection, you are just going to have to follow the power with a meter and find where it ends
There is a wire from the starter solenoid that gives full voltage to the coil while the starter is engaged. That is why it runs then.

Don - What should the voltage be at the coil with the key in the run position - battery voltage? It's obviously there when I'm in the start position. Is the kill switch the same as the nuestral safety in the shift assembly?

 

[tjsolberg]

Re: Engie Starts - then shuts off when I return the key to run.

I'm going to switch it out with the other even though I tested it according to my manual. Just to be sure.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Engie Starts - then shuts off when I return the key to run.

Kill switch is in series with the ignition switch so definitely check that. Neutral safety switch is not your problem.

Voltage at the coil will be battery voltage with the points open or something lower like 8V with the points closed due to the voltage drop of the ballast resistor.

 

[tjsolberg]

Re: Engie Starts - then shuts off when I return the key to run.

Kill switch is in series with the ignition switch so definitely check that. Neutral safety switch is not your problem.

Voltage at the coil will be battery voltage with the points open or something lower like 8V with the points closed due to the voltage drop of the ballast resistor.

I am not aware of the a "engine kill switch". Where is that located?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Engie Starts - then shuts off when I return the key to run.

Or called "man overboard" switch. I thas a lanyard that attaches to you to kill the ignition when it is pulled.

Its normally near the ignition switch.