OMC starts, then won't, instruments go out

[chopperdog]

1988 OMC 3.0L 4 cyl.
Bayliner Ciera 2155.

Engine ran great.
Checked the ignition switch, and it is fine.

Now, when I turn the key, the instruments won't light up, and nothing from the starter.
Then, totally at random, everything lights up and I can start it.

After it ran for a minute or so, then shut down by itself, I heard a "click, clack" "click, clack", over and over from the engine.
I couldn't locate the exact source of the sound, but it sounded like it was coming from the block, not the starter.

It was too rhythmic, I think, to be heating of the engine, which was still only ambient temperature.

Could this be a bad starter slave solenoid? It is mounted on the starboard side of the block.

How is instrument power related to the starting circuitry?
I think the instruments are powered, and grounded, through the harness.

Thanks in advance,

Chopperdog

 

[ErieRon]

Re: OMC starts, then won't, instruments go out

1988 OMC 3.0L 4 cyl.
Bayliner Ciera 2155.

Engine ran great.
Checked the ignition switch, and it is fine.

Now, when I turn the key, the instruments won't light up, and nothing from the starter.
Then, totally at random, everything lights up and I can start it.

After it ran for a minute or so, then shut down by itself, I heard a "click, clack" "click, clack", over and over from the engine.
I couldn't locate the exact source of the sound, but it sounded like it was coming from the block, not the starter.

It was too rhythmic, I think, to be heating of the engine, which was still only ambient temperature.

Could this be a bad starter slave solenoid? It is mounted on the starboard side of the block.

How is instrument power related to the starting circuitry?
I think the instruments are powered, and grounded, through the harness.

Thanks in advance,

Chopperdog

I would check all of your ignition related connections for corrosion and tightness, and make sure your battery is fully charged, clean and tight. Don't take any shortcuts, clean them all shiny and tighten everything up.

Once that is done, you can start checking individual components with confidence.

My instrument back lights don't come on unless I turn them on, but the gauges all become energized when the key is in the run position. Typically there is power going to the gauges from the ignition, a ground, and a lead from a sender (oil, fuel, temp etc.) and another hot lead from your navigation light switch. The sender lead is what makes the needles move on the gauges.

Hope this helps.

 

[Lodgepole]

Re: OMC starts, then won't, instruments go out

As I remember, there is no feed to the gauges while switch is in start position. However I am in CO an my manual is in OK. Once started, the starter solenoid should not play a part in the run citcuit. Best to get a wiring diagram. Check your batt terminals and main heavy black and red wire connections at ignition switch. Clean connectors at coil and all grounds. Check the 2 breakers on starboard side at front of engine. If start is irratic, you probably have a starter solenoid or ignition switch issue.

 

[Don S]

Re: OMC starts, then won't, instruments go out

Sounds like a loose, or corroded connection somewhere.
Top places to check is the battery cable connections, they must be clean and TIGHT, not just wingnut thumb tight, use a wrench and this means both pos and neg and both ends. The main harness plug and the circuit breaker on the engine are a couple more common places for bad connections.
If you turn the ign. switch to the run position, you should have power to the purple wire.
If the gauges don't come on when you turn the switch to run. First check power to the big red wire to the ign sw. if you have power there, check the purple. One of them is missing power.

 

[chopperdog]

Re: OMC starts, then won't, instruments go out

Thank you for the replies.

I checked the red wire at the ignition switch, and it had power.
I did not check the purple, I am going to do that now.

I do think my problem is the purple wire, but I'll confirm and post again in just a little while.
If the purple wire lost power, would the engine quit?

Regarding the (2) 50amp breakers behind the engine, I previously replaced those with thermal fuses, about 6 months ago. The old ones blew.
I thought I tracked the problem then to a bad alternator, which I had rebuilt.
Now, I am thinking there may be an intermittent grounding of something.
But, I have touched every inch of every wire in the engine compartment, and found no shorts or breaks.


I keep telling my son "Every time we find something else wrong with the boat, we're that much closer to having it in reliable condition!"

 

[Don S]

Re: OMC starts, then won't, instruments go out

The purple wire controls not only the gauges, but the ignition. Does your boat have an emergency kill switch that you hook a lanyard to? They can also cause intermittant problems.
Also, just because something has power with a meter, doesn't mean it will when under load. Loose and/or corroded terminals is probably the cause of your problems.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: OMC starts, then won't, instruments go out

Also need to clean the main ground wire at the engine block and the power connections at the starter.Don't just feel if they are tight but take them off and clean each one.
Like Don is saying,things may show 12 volts without any load on them but still have a connection problem.

 

[chopperdog]

Re: OMC starts, then won't, instruments go out

Just got back from the boat.

Battery switch to Both, No power to either the Red or Purple wire, but there was power to the Fuse Panel.

I don't have an emergency lanyard.
I'll check the engine ground and all connections tomorrow.

I don't know if it would affect the ignition system, but the Fuse Buss, I think, needs replacing. I've cleaned it, and still a couple of the fuse spaces won't work.

It's like a big puzzle.

Thank you for the help.

 

[WizeOne]

Re: OMC starts, then won't, instruments go out

......It's like a big puzzle......

Welcome to the world of electrics!

 

[Don S]

Re: OMC starts, then won't, instruments go out

No power to either the Red or Purple wire,

Assuming you mean at the ign. sw. check the fuses you installed, along with the main harness connection.

 

[chopperdog]

Re: OMC starts, then won't, instruments go out

Thanks Don, I'll check.

I am suspect of the main harness. I looked at it a few months ago, and it seems a bit worn.

I'm printing up the 2 guides you posted on ignition and points ignition diagnoses.

I've got a few hours tomorrow, hopefully I can get over there and get it diagnosed.

Thanks again,

Chopperdog

 

[Don S]

Re: OMC starts, then won't, instruments go out

printing up the 2 guides you posted on ignition and points ignition diagnoses.

I can tell you right now, if you don't have power to the ign. switch, then you won't have power to the ignition or the start circuit.
Until you have solid power to the ign. switch (red wire) you are wasteing your time working with the ign or the starter.

 

[chopperdog]

Re: OMC starts, then won't, instruments go out

I understand.

I'll check the wiring, all connections, grounds, the harness, and the (2) 50 amp fuses.
I'll be methodical and track down the problem, I hope.

Thanks again,

Chopperdog

 

[chopperdog]

Re: OMC starts, then won't, instruments go out

Just an update:

Don't think I'll have time today to look at it today, but I definitely will tomorrow.

Thanks for all the advice.

 

[chopperdog]

Re: OMC starts, then won't, instruments go out

FOUND IT!!!!!

Thank you for so much help.
This forum has been a god send in times of boat turmoil.

It was the Red wire to the ignition switch.

The red wire was connected to the Fuse Block.
I mentioned earlier the fuse block was a mess. Only about 1/2 of the spaces seem to work. I've cleaned them. I think there must be a crack. I'm going to replace it.

I temporarily connected it to a good fuse space, and the engine started right up, and ran like a top!

Now, looking at the schematic, I believe the previous guy shortcut the wiring.
It looks like the feed to the ignition power comes off of the Starter Assist Solenoid.
Is this correct?

I'll do a continuity check to try to find the right wire, and wire it correctly while putting in a new fuse block.

Really, thank you again so very much.

Have a great day!

Chopperdog

 

[Captain Treniss]

Re: OMC starts, then won't, instruments go out

Chris Craft Owner.. OMC

I had a similar problem and taking off all the hot wires to the fusebox and cleaning them solved my problem. I also cleaned the buss fuse contacts.

Boat started fine then when I killed it the guages would go blank and not read anything.... hmmmmmm

Reading these posts solved a 3 day mystery in about 15 minutes of elbow grease

 

[Lommerse33]

Re: OMC starts, then won't, instruments go out

I have a similar problem with a boat of similar age. Bad connections at the fuse block I'm guessing. I'm pretty far removed from the original owner and it was quite a rats' nest under the dash. All kinds of mess down there. Some new connectors and some shining up of the block and it those weird intermittent ignition/electrical issues at the helm should be gone.

 

[bradleyjc]

Re: OMC starts, then won't, instruments go out

I have a Bayliner 2155 and had the exact same problem. Turns out the style of the original fuse block is very finicky. The rivets that mount the block wear out quick and cause all kinds of loose connections. I was told most people just replace the block frequently with the same style. I chose to up grade to a fuse block that uses the push-in blade style fuses like in a car. I haven't had another problem yet.