PLEASE HELP!! Mercruiser DIES!!

[Don S]

Re: PLEASE HELP!! Mercruiser DIES!!

Look for some dangling wires, cause one of the terminals is broken off your switch.

 

[goneboating06]

Re: PLEASE HELP!! Mercruiser DIES!!

i have looked... there is none. the switch only has one terminal post right on the top. It looks like an automotive switch but the switch thats on it is right from mercruiser and its the one that came on it from the factory. There is no other wires around from the wiring harness that are even close to the switch. Just one. its been running this way with a one terminal switch for 9 years now.

 

[Don S]

Re: PLEASE HELP!! Mercruiser DIES!!

Just re-read your original post. You don't have a 98 engine however. You have a mechanical fuel pump, not electric like the 98 would have. So no oil pressure switch to control an electric fuel pump.

 

[goneboating06]

Re: PLEASE HELP!! Mercruiser DIES!!

I may not have a 98 engine but i have a 98 boat. Your right i dont have an electric fuel pump but i do have a oil pressure switch for the alarm system. Do you want me to post a picture?

 

[Don S]

Re: PLEASE HELP!! Mercruiser DIES!!

No need for a picture, I was trying to troubleshoot and electric fuel pump problem that would allow the boat to start but not stay running.

 

[goneboating06]

Re: PLEASE HELP!! Mercruiser DIES!!

Yes i understand and i appreciate it! But i feel like i have tried everything, what am i missing?

 

[MikDee]

Re: PLEASE HELP!! Mercruiser DIES!!

Ok, I'm going off in a different direction here, maybe the engine is fuel starved, and your float, & needle is not working properly in the carb, not letting enough fuel in? Did you check or, change, the in-carb filter? I just realized it's not like a Q-jet, it's a Weber (Carter), but it still may have an in-carb filter.

 

[cyril420]

Re: PLEASE HELP!! Mercruiser DIES!!

Ignition sensor in the distributor... I see it all the time.

 

[goneboating06]

Re: PLEASE HELP!! Mercruiser DIES!!

Yes... I have checked the in carb filter and i have checked fuel flow, and the accelerator and many other carb components, they all work fine but maybe something internally like the jets or float is not working properly. But yeah i have been thinking the ignition sensor as well. I have tried everything else and it seems to boil down to the ignition sensor. Could the ignition module be going out. From what i have heard it works or it doesn't. I think it might be the ignition sensor so i will test that tomorrow!

 

[MikDee]

Re: PLEASE HELP!! Mercruiser DIES!!

Yes it could be the ignition module, I had one that would die on occasion sporadically when it got hot, you'd never know when it would go out! had it tested twice at Autozone, and it showed good!? It was driving me crazy trying to figure out what was wrong, till I left it at a shop, and they found out it really was bad, & replaced it, I never had a problem again, it was quite a relief!

 

[goneboating06]

Re: PLEASE HELP!! Mercruiser DIES!!

Yeah i bet it was. I wish i had somewhere to go test it at. Can you test them at all autozones? The problem is i dont live anywhere near an auto store. Are these ignition modules expensive to replace?

 

[RJLeuwen]

Re: PLEASE HELP!! Mercruiser DIES!!

Test the ignition sensor in the dist. first alot cheaper (about $90) than the control module

RJ

 

[MikDee]

Re: PLEASE HELP!! Mercruiser DIES!!

I see you have the Thunderbolt ignition, I thought it was a GM HEI marine Dist. so the ign. module I mentioned doesn't apply, I'm guessing then it has an ignition sensor in the Dist, and an external module, I'd say test the ign. sensor first, as described in the Merc. manual link, this can be done with a cheap electrical test meter (usually $10) found just about anywhere.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: PLEASE HELP!! Mercruiser DIES!!

I don't recall reading anywhere in your posts sir,of you having tested the neutral safety switch in the throttle control handle. If you would be so kind as post your result.

 

[waltb4]

Re: PLEASE HELP!! Mercruiser DIES!!

If your ignition has a condenser in the distributor, have you changed that too?
My boat did somewhat the same thing 5 years ago, point/coil ignition, old school, would start and run then started to act like someone was flipping a switch and shutting the engine off for a split second then back on. Got worse over time to were the motor wouldn't run much at all before stopping. I put in a new condenser, no way to test them, but they are cheep, and motor has been running ok ever sense. Lucky for me this was one of the first things I tried. Sounds like your system is electronic so this might not apply.

 

[goneboating06]

Re: PLEASE HELP!! Mercruiser DIES!!

Good news!! i found the problem it is the ignition sensor in the dist. Its supposed to have 100 omes but it only has .85. Yeah i dont even know why it was running. But thanks everyone for your help!!!!

 

[RJLeuwen]

Re: PLEASE HELP!! Mercruiser DIES!!

CONGRATS!!!! GoneBoating06 Now you can go BOATING!!!!

RJ

 

[MikDee]

Re: PLEASE HELP!! Mercruiser DIES!!

Hooray!!! Glad you found it, and thanks for the reply! Happy Boating!

 

[goneboating06]

Re: PLEASE HELP!! Mercruiser DIES!!

Haha... thanks everyone who helped me... I am way exited now i actually get to go boating!!! Life is good out on the water but its not good when working on the median to get you there. Thanks again!!