i gotta hold key on to keep running help please

[chopo]

heres what I got an 88 bayliner ya I know!. got a problem motor will run fine when the iginition switch is held all the way on start. when released it seems as though I loose power to the coil. is the ign switch bad or is there an inline resisiter that may be bad. thanks for all your help.. Jon

 

[jtybt]

Re: i gotta hold key on to keep running help please

Ignition switch or connection is bad somewhere on ignition circuit.

 

[chopo]

Re: i gotta hold key on to keep running help please

i do know not to keep doing this it will damage the starter drive and also the flywheel.
does the ign wire go right from the switch throught the connection harness and right up to the coil?

 

[Maclin]

Re: i gotta hold key on to keep running help please

What you describe is what happens when the resistance circuit to the coil positive terminal has a bad component or bad wiring. There is a bypass circuit that gives 12v to the coil positive terminal when starting so that is why it starts ok but then dies immediately when you return the key to ON or RUN.

 

[Maclin]

Re: i gotta hold key on to keep running help please

The brand of the boat will not help the helpers much, you need to provide the engine and drive brand and designation.

 

[chopo]

Re: i gotta hold key on to keep running help please

The brand of the boat will not help the helpers much, you need to provide the engine and drive brand and designation.

good point/

88 bayliner 2.3 litler ford omc outdrive. thanks

 

[chopo]

Re: i gotta hold key on to keep running help please

on the ign. switch there are 3 wires. i presume one 12v on to coil and one to start sel. if i turn the switch to "on" i should have 12v at that terminal Right? is there something inline to reduce the voltage to 8 volts like in an auto? like a ballast resister? thanks

 

[Maclin]

Re: i gotta hold key on to keep running help please

There is ballast resistance in the "ON" circuit to the coil positive terminal. You should see 8-10v on the coil positive terminal with the key in the "ON" position. If you do not get a voltage reading there then this could be a resistance circuit wiring/component problem but also could be a relay/solenoid problem, depends on the OEM wiring. I wish I knew more about that vintage of OMC ignition wiring, sorry I cannot be more specific. I would have to trace the wiring to see how the different circuits feed the coil.

 

[Don S]

Re: i gotta hold key on to keep running help please

When you turn the ignition switch ot the run position, you should see battery voltage at the ign. terminal (purple wire) back at the engine, I believe there was a resistor wire going to the coil, It's a red/purple wire, with the switch in the run position, check the coil for voltage on the + terminal. IF no poser, back up till you find it.

One other question. Do you have a kill switch? Is the safety lanyard on?????

 

[chopo]

Re: i gotta hold key on to keep running help please

the layanrd switch is unplugged. I tried plugging it in and it made no differnce.

 

[Don S]

Re: i gotta hold key on to keep running help please

Check it and make sure you get power through the kill switch. If you you don't have power through it with the lanyard plugged in, you found your problem.

 

[chopo]

Re: i gotta hold key on to keep running help please

Check it and make sure you get power through the kill switch. If you you don't have power through it with the lanyard plugged in, you found your problem.

my lanyard switch is unplugged. so really there cant 12 v headed back to the coil. does the power come from the ign switch through the lanyard switch then to the coil?

 

[Don S]

Re: i gotta hold key on to keep running help please

my lanyard switch is unplugged. so really there cant 12 v headed back to the coil. does the power come from the ign switch through the lanyard switch then to the coil?

Yes...

 

[chopo]

Re: i gotta hold key on to keep running help please

thanks Don S, I think i was over thinking it. I'm having some difficulties putting my automotive backround with the marine. Its our first boat. paid 100 bux for it on a roller trailer. the deck is solid and so is the transom. I am gaining alot of knowlage here. thanks again for the help/ sometimes the simple fixes are the hardest ones to see. sometimes i think the worst right away.

 

[Maclin]

Re: i gotta hold key on to keep running help please

Seems like it would not start at all if it was the kill switch...

 

[Don S]

Re: i gotta hold key on to keep running help please

It will start with the kill switch pulled. Don't forget, that hot start wire that goes from the starter solenoid to the coils + terminal is what puts full voltage to the coil for starting. The solenoid does not run power through the kill switch for starting.
The kill switch is only there to kill power to the ignition while running. Not starting.

 

[Maclin]

Re: i gotta hold key on to keep running help please

Gotcha, thanks