ignition switch question

[Sacredgrooves]

'99 stingray 4.3 mercruiser alpha 190 horse.

after running around all day, went to start the boat back up for one last tube ride.....nothing. all accessories worked fine so battery issues, but everything needing the ignition to power them up, basically gauges, were dead and of course no power to the starter. I pulled the fuse out and replaced it with another and it fired right up. IIRC fuses should not blow so there must be an underlying problem. Is the switch bad? anything else you can think of?
I am new to boats, do auto part chain stores carry basic marine parts too or do I need to hit a marine store?


one other question; the motor did a bit of dieseling, and I noticed the air filter was pretty dirty (it was in a gravel parking lot for a couple months) is it safe to assume a new air filter will correct my air/fuel mixture to end that? plugs, wires are all new. I did notice it only does it when I cut the motor right after a tubing run. maybe I should let it idle a bit?

thanks for any help! Dave

 

[Coors]

Re: ignition switch question

clean all contacts, from the switch, to the engine. Clean all grounds, also.

 

[J JACKSON]

Re: ignition switch question

if it just blew one fuse and is ok now i wouldn't worry to much, as fuses have current run through them the amp rating goes down and eventually they blow. its kind like bending a piece of wire back and forth many times until it breaks. run it with the new fuse and just keep some extras if it blows again then start troubleshooting

 

[bruceb58]

Re: ignition switch question

if it just blew one fuse and is ok now i wouldn't worry to much, as fuses have current run through them the amp rating goes down and eventually they blow. its kind like bending a piece of wire back and forth many times until it breaks. run it with the new fuse and just keep some extras if it blows again then start troubleshooting

No, that is not true. Fuses don't just wear out like that. If the fuse blew, it was either a faulty fuse or the current exceeded its rating.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: ignition switch question

no,no,no fuses don't just blow.i have a 22 year old fuse in my boat never blew.there may be a contact that is is bad or something shorted out.got to find it and fix it.what coors posted is correct procedure.

 

[Bondo]

Re: ignition switch question

fuses should not blow so there must be an underlying problem. Is the switch bad? anything else you can think of?

Ayuh,....

It probably Ain't the Switch,... But it Is something powered by the switch.....

I noticed the air filter was pretty dirty (it was in a gravel parking lot for a couple months) is it safe to assume a new air filter will correct my air/fuel mixture to end that?

Nope....

 

[Sacredgrooves]

Re: ignition switch question

ok, guess I know what I am doing this week.
Does a repair manual for my merc cover these and other problems that will arise, or are there boat specific manuals (like with cars)
Thanks for the help!

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: ignition switch question

Go to a Mercruiser dealer and ask for the shop manual.It's expensive but worth it.Jerry

 

[Don S]

Re: ignition switch question

Have you replace the fuse yet? If you did, did the new one blow.
I've found blow fuses MANY times, replace them, and they never blew again.

PS: If you want to download a free OEM manual, here's the link to do it at.
Service Manual #25 GM V6 1998 - 2001
Opens 1st 3 sections. You need to open, download, and save the other sections.
http://www-alt.mercurymarine.com/mnetdata/SERVICE/CRUISER/Servmanl/25/25covr1.pdf

 

[Sacredgrooves]

Re: ignition switch question

Well, after giving it some thought, corroded connections should reduce amperage as opposed to increase due to resistance, correct? My brother also told me when he started it a few minutes prior he had to keep the ignition on for about 10-15 seconds for it to fire. It had deiseled on the shutoff before that (didnt let it idle after a tubing run, just cut it) so maybe the extra time with the key in the start position stressed the fuse. First and foremost I need to repair the deiseling...I can just pop the clutch to start the boat if the ignition goes out again lol
I am going to give it a full tuneup this week. I do not know how long the plugs/wires/cap etc have been in use.

Thanks for the manual hookup! I was not able to find the other sections to open yet, but I am going to poke around a bit and try to figure it out.