No power to start the boat

[Rinker85]

I'm still having trouble with my 2001 5.7 L GS. I went through all the connections, and they are good. As soon as I start the boat the engine turns over then all power is lost to the ignition, and it acts like both batteries are dead which they are not.
The other day I ran about a mile, and everything died. Again, no power to the ignition. Batteries are fine. After a couple of hours, I can start it again. This sounds like some type of relay. Any Ideas?

 

[itsathepete]

First, some terminology. Turning over and cranking are the same thing and do not mean a running engine. Ignition refers to the sparking of the plugs not just turning the key on. So when you say all power is lost to the ignition do you mean you are losing spark or when you turn the key nothing happens? You could have a bad ignition switch (I know, terminology is weird)

 

[Rinker85]

First, some terminology. Turning over and cranking are the same thing and do not mean a running engine. Ignition refers to the sparking of the plugs not just turning the key on. So when you say all power is lost to the ignition do you mean you are losing spark or when you turn the key nothing happens? You could have a bad ignition switch (I know, terminology is weird)

Saturday engine ran for about 10 minuets then died. When I went to restart the boat, the engine would not crank. All gauge's dead.

Tonight, I had 2 fully charged batteries. I went to crank the engine. The engine tried to start on the first crank. I heard what sounded like a backfire then no power to all gauges again. I heard the same backfire on the water Saturday before I lost power again.

 

[itsathepete]

Check your ignition switch. wiggle the key in it when turned on and see if it causes weird stuff to happen. Also make sure the shifter is in neutral fully. Wiggle it while in neutral as well. could be a neutral safety switch although that doesnt explain why it died while running