ignition problems

[chief567]

I have a 1988 regal sebring with an merccruiser I/O alpha 4.3. I recently had the boat worked on to replace the shifter cables. We took it out and ran it for 2 hours with no problems. Then I was coasting at idle speed back to the dock and it stalled?
I immediatly threw it back to neutral and tried to start it, but no ignition. It was trying to turn over, but sounded like no spark was igniting the engine. the battery is fine and i replaced the altinater last season. I am not a professional, so I need some quick test procedures to try, as my mechanic is out of town. Any Help?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: ignition problems

Check for voltage at the coil. Also make sure your "man overboard" switch didn't get disconnected by accident.

 

[chief567]

Re: ignition problems

where do i locate both of these things?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: ignition problems

The "man overboard" switch is near your ignition switch and generally has a cord that you attatch to yourself.

If you don't know what and where a coil is, I am afraid you are going to have a tough time diagnosing your problem. How do you know the ignition is not working? Did you pull a plug wire and check for spark?

 

[Maclin]

Re: ignition problems

Couldn't this be the shift interrupt switch out of adjustment? Seems logical since the last thing done was new shifter cables.

Maybe you could move the shifter forward and back wards slightly while cranking so see if it fires up that way.

 

[chief567]

Re: ignition problems

everything sounds fine when we tried to start it, but it just won't turn over. I think it is the spark plugs, but i have not looked at it. i have a friend who knows more coming over later to look at it. Also we did smell gas after it stalled. But i only had it out of neutral for one or two seconds after it stalled. So i don't think i flooded it.
could it be the calibration of the shifter cables? My mechanic replaced them all and did the tests at his shop but not out in the water. he said if we had troubles with them he would come out and calibrate it. This also happened when I was in idle mode, which makes me think it could be something with the shifters?

 

[chief567]

Re: ignition problems

we tried to gas it while starting it, but it did not work. I think that produced most of the gas smell we encountered.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: ignition problems

Now you are saying it won't turn over. What that means is that the starter is not operating and the engine is not being rotated by the starter. Is that what you mean?

 

[chief567]

Re: ignition problems

I guess that is what i am saying. what do i do if that is the case.? It is making the normal sound like it wants to start. but just not turning over

 

[Dakota47]

Re: ignition problems

its turning over Just not firing correct? check the points.

 

[chief567]

Re: ignition problems

correct, i will check them and then get back to all of you helpful and kind people!

 

[Maclin]

Re: ignition problems

I don't think it has points, I am pretty sure it has electronic ignition but I could be wrong.

I am confused though, is the starter motor actually turning the engine or not? Is the engine turning (you can see the belt(s) moving) but just not starting? Turning over and not starting is also a symptom of a shift interrupt circuit problem. If the engine is spinning then you can check for spark easy enough to see what to look at next.

If your mechanic offered to recalibrate the new cables then I would take him up on that, like PRONTO just to see if that is the problem.

I'm just sayin'....

 

[Bondo]

Re: ignition problems

I am confused though,

Ayuh,...

I believe Chief is saying the motor Is turning over on the Starter,....
But it's not Firing,+ Starting.....

I also think that you probably otta just leave things be, til your Mechanic can come over,+ have a Look See....
I'm Sorry Chief,...
But at your knowledge level, You can do more Damage than good trying to Fix it....

 

[chief567]

Re: ignition problems

started up fine and i took it out on the lake and it was fine. I don't know on this one boys? I think it was either flooded, maxed out, and/or there was a vapor lock situation. The only things I can come up with. lets just hope it doesn't happen again. I will follow up with my mechanic once he returns on thursday. thanks for your help gents

 

[Maclin]

Re: ignition problems

Opening the throttle all the way while cranking will clear a flooded condition, just be ready to move the throttle back quickly once it catches and processes all the extra fuel. That is not a fix for the problem but can get you back home if need be. If it continues to flood then more than likely the carb needs some work. Too much flooding and the extra fuel can leak past the rings into the crankcase and pollute the oil.

Flooding can also foul the spark plugs with a wet-foul condition quickly and even with the throttle open it can be hard to start until they dry out, like over night or "the next weekend". Plugs that have been run like that are not as sparky afterwards usually.

 

[benben]

Re: ignition problems

starts equals runs equals everybody happy

turns over equals cranks doesn't equal starts/runs/happy

dead equals won't crank equals won't turn over equals nothing happens when you turn the key