Mercruiser 3.7/LX will not crank after stopping

[bryan.kearney]

I have a 1988 Bomber with a Mercruiser 3.7/LX and an original (I think) quicksilver throttle. I have noticed that the neutral safety is a bit picky, as when I am running it i have to giggle the handle sometimes to get it to start. I have noticed very consistently, that if I ski for an hour.. then sit for 15 or 20 minutes that the boat will not crank. Last night we had to get towed in, because no amount of handle fidgiting would get the engine to crank. This morning, I went out to ty and trouble shoot the starting system per the sticky in this forum, and it started right up.

It appears that running the motor, and then stopping, will cause the engine to not crank. The next morning, when cool, no issues. I assume the neutral safety switch is throttle.. so would be unaffected by the engine heat. I sometimes hear a little "twang" from the instrument panel, but I dont hear any clicking from the engine.

Any ideas what I can look at? Thanks!

-- bk

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercruiser 3.7/LX will not crank after stopping

You are going to have to troubleshoot it when it doesn't work. When it doesn't crank you can always jumper the slave or starter solenoid to start the engine.

Also, pull the control off and see if the neutral safety switch is loose. Or damaged.

 

[bryan.kearney]

Re: Mercruiser 3.7/LX will not crank after stopping

Thanks. I will take the sheet and test switch out with me. I will ask the jumb question.. how do I jump the solenoid?

-- bk

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: Mercruiser 3.7/LX will not crank after stopping

Could be something as simple as the battery cables not tight or as major as a starter, like Don says, you need to troubleshoot when its not working.

 

[bryan.kearney]

Re: Mercruiser 3.7/LX will not crank after stopping

We went out to day and fortuneately (or not) it worked the whole time!

 

[bryan.kearney]

Re: Mercruiser 3.7/LX will not crank after stopping

Interesting enough... my neutral safety switch is on the engine block, not in the throttle. So, heat could be a factor.

If I add a switch to jump the ignition wire if the switch goes bad.. do I need any special gauge wire or switch? It appears that the neutral safety swich is before solenoid.. so I assume it is not a heavy load.