ignition problems

[elmwood]

Weather is unseasonably hot. Looks like boating will start sooner, great but need to take care of last years problems. Last year had a problem I put off till this year. I could never find a patteren to my problem but ocassional the boat wouldn't start. I'd have to start it by way of the relay. I ended up carring a push button remote start switch. A friend of mine thinks its the starter switch. As you know to start I'd put the key in run to jump it. Sometimes I could start with the key other times had to jump the relay. Any thoughts on the possible problem?

 

[kmarine]

Re: ignition problems

If this is a boat,(just kidding) Always begin any electrical troubleshooting by cleaning all electrical terminals and plugs. Then tyr to determine if the short is in the ignition switch or neutral safty switch by shifting in & out of gear prior to checking solenoid. Good luck, intermitent problembs sometimes take a while to peek out their ugly head.

 

[Don S]

Re: ignition problems

What are we working on? Or do we get a prize for guessing?

PS, you don't have an ignition problem (the ignition gives you spark) you have a starting problem, making the starter turn the engine.
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=167035

 

[elmwood]

Re: ignition problems

Yes you are right and I'm wrong starter and not ignition. We are working on a Four Winns 1996 258 Vista 5.8 FLi. Yes the boat was in nuetral every time. As for dirty contacts I thought abouy that but never took a can of contact cleaner with to the lake. I did how ever switched off and on many times in case it was the contacts. I know this is not the best way to clean the contacts but should have done a temp job. When it didn't want to start it wouldn't.

 

[Don S]

Re: ignition problems

I did how ever switched off and on many times in case it was the contacts. I know this is not the best way to clean the contacts but should have done a temp job.

That doesn't clean them, the contacts get burned from constant use. So the more you click them, the worse they get. The contacts that can be cleaned are the spade contacts of the relay where they plug into the socket and the socket itself. The contacts in the relay are fixed by replacing the relay. Did you read the troubleshooting chart I linked to.
What is the full model number of your engine, not just the first part of it.

 

[elmwood]

Re: ignition problems

Hey Don I did see the link and looked at it. Thank you for that. I tried looking before posting the question but didn't get the right combination in the search. The engine number is 58FAPHUE. I know this is not right. The A should not be there but last year I posted a question and you asked for the number and I did a rubbing and this is what it was. It is a "HU" engine anyways if that's what you are looking for. I gave it some thought at work today and saw that a new starter switch is no more than $25 so I think I'll just replace that and see what happens but I'll keep the remote starter handy. Like I said I tried to find a pattern in the problem but could not find one. You know what I mean if you do this then it happens. That sort of pattern but the problem appears to be whenever.

 

[Mullin]

Re: ignition problems

If you can jump it at the relay fine then its not the starter or solenoid.

Using a multimeter or a simple 12v test light you should be able to easily diagnose if power is getting to the relay when you turn the switch.

If it is and nothing happens, it is likely the relay. If you don't get power to the relay, it's probably the switch.

You can then test the switch too. If the switch tests fine, and there is no power getting to the relay, then you are left with the N safety switch or the long wire going from the switch in the helm all the way to the relay in the engine compartment.

Rule out the N safety switch by probing the wire before and after it to see if power is getting through.

With a $5 test light in hand this should be pretty easy to figure out.

 

[Don S]

Re: ignition problems

The engine number is 58FAPHUE. I know this is not right. The A should not be there but last year I posted a question and you asked for the number and I did a rubbing and this is what it was. It is a "HU" engine anyways if that's what you are looking for.

The reason we can't find it in Volvo, is because it's an OMC Go to this link, http://epc.brp.com/Index.aspx?lang=E&s1=2269309b-4b41-4eff-a4b0-d6772438a9cd&brands=ej and you will find that model number listed under 95 5.8.

Your engine doesn't have a relay, you have a solenoid. Here is the wiring diagram. You want the one on the left for Fi (Fuel infected) the FL is for the carbed engines.

View attachment HU Electrical - Ignition 7788857 67.pdf

 

[elmwood]

Re: ignition problems

Don, does this mean I need to stand in the corner and hang my head in shame? Since it's a 95 OMC and not a 96 Volvo Penta, even though it claims to be a Volvo. Are the manuals still good that I have for early "HU" model? Thanks for clearing that up as to which engine I have.

Thanks,
Eric

 

[Don S]

Re: ignition problems

For the most part, I would assume the manuals to be the same. Since I don't compare them page by page I can only assume. Volvo and OMC were in a joint venture between 94 and 98. Both sold engines and drives under their own names, but they were basically the same.
Your's just came from OMC and you probably have an OMC serial number on the engine and drive that start with a T.
The big problem is, when you post you have a Volvo, and the model numbers don't match anything that Volvo has, it's hard to compare things. Year wise, the HU model was a 95 Volvo model, but may be in a 96 boat. Year of a boat starts at a different time of year than the engine models do.