Reset Switch-OMC Cobra 2.3?

[flotillagorilla]

Iv'e been told my recent starting problems may be a result of water getting into the motor housing. I was told that it was possible that I may need to hit a re-set switch so that I can get the thing to turn over. Is there such a switch and if so where would I locate the darn thing. Thx in advance!

 

[Bondo]

Re: Reset Switch-OMC Cobra 2.3?

Follow the Wires between the Battery,+ the Starter...........<br />Then the Wires to,+ from the key switch........<br /><br />If it got Wet.....<br />I'm Guessing you Need a Starter..............

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Reset Switch-OMC Cobra 2.3?

The Cobra's don't have a reset switch, sounds like you are describing a circuit breaker that is on Mercruisers. Cobra's do have a couple of big glass 50 amp fuses on top of the moter near the main wiring harness. Need more info on your problem, can you hear starter solenoid clicking, does starter try and engage, are all terminals clean and tight?

 

[flotillagorilla]

Re: Reset Switch-OMC Cobra 2.3?

Thx for youre responses! . I'm sure the starter got wet and it may be the problem. I will checking the 50 amp fuses too. The boat came with and extra one. My problem there is I am not sure how to take out the fuse. Iv'e never come in contact with those black rubbery casings for the fuses. I am always fearful of pulling to hard for I might screw it up. Can't hear the starter clicking although the day all this happened it started beautifully like 15 times and then shut down while we were in 3/4 throttle. Now I just hear kunk kunk when trying to start.

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Reset Switch-OMC Cobra 2.3?

Those big fuses are hard to separate, usually the 2 halfs are held together with a wire clip that you remove first although it's doubtful any of these things would ever separate on their own without the clip. What is this kunk kunk you hear, the starter solenoid? Because if it is most likely your 50 amp fuse is good but the solenoid still has to pass power down to the starter.

 

[flotillagorilla]

Re: Reset Switch-OMC Cobra 2.3?

When I turn the key to start you hear a single kunk. That's it. Could it also be that the negative terminal got very hot that day and the the negative wire may have melted a bit. There was melted plastic or rubber on the wingnut. Maybe I need to resplice the wires leading to the battery terminals to get it to start again? On those fuses, after you remove the clamps you mentioned, do I just pull the things apart or twist them off?

 

[DC698]

Re: Reset Switch-OMC Cobra 2.3?

Once you remove the metal clamps, the plugs will pull apart. I had to change my 50A Fuses last year on my OMC 5.0L engine as one of them had corrosion and was causing an intermitent(sp?) starting/no voltage problem. Only one fuse seemed bad but I changed both just to be on the safe side. I also bought 2 extra fuses just to have on hand with me. Good luck!

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Reset Switch-OMC Cobra 2.3?

I would be very suspicious of the neg connection if it got hot enough to melt something. You could have corrosion creeping up inside the battery cable. How do your other high current devices work, like the tilt/trim motor, it is on the other 50 amp fuse.

 

[flotillagorilla]

Re: Reset Switch-OMC Cobra 2.3?

That's just it, the other gauges and trim work fine when the key is turned. Just won't start any longer. I think I'll start with the wires leading to the battery first and then go from there with the 50 amp fuses. After that if all looks good then I would suspect either a bad starter that just suddenly went out while motoring down the river or maybe the alternator. If all else fails, I would have to take it in for repair. Thanks for all your help and ideas guys!

 

[DJ]

Re: Reset Switch-OMC Cobra 2.3?

Are we sure the engine is not locked up?<br /><br />You said it died while cruising. You may have, also, snapped a timing belt.

 

[flotillagorilla]

Re: Reset Switch-OMC Cobra 2.3?

The engine could be blocked up. What else could cause that besides the belt. I am pretty sure thats not it. Also if it is the starter, where would I find it, what does it look like etc? What is the thing the positive wire runs from the battery to? I also can't find where to check the 50 amp fuse although I think that is for the power trim, and it is working with the turn of the key as well as other on dash gauges etc?? Still perplexed as hell. Help, only 5 more days till Saturday!

 

[DC698]

Re: Reset Switch-OMC Cobra 2.3?

You may want to invest in a OMC shop manual which can be purchased right through iboats mall. Not just for your current problem, but as a good future reference for your engine and drive.

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Reset Switch-OMC Cobra 2.3?

OK...the thing that the positive wire from the battery runs to is your starter. From the starter there should be 2 wires that feed the 50 amp fuses, the fact that your trim works and that you even get a clunk when you hit the key says that the 50 amp fuses are OK except there may be corrosion on them. Take a breaker bar and put it on the harmonic balancer and see if you can turn the engine over manually (take spark plugs out first to make it easier), infact see if any water comes out with the plugs (maybe engine is hydro locked?)If you can turn the engine over manually then I would suspect the starter or battery or connections.

 

[rattana]

Re: Reset Switch-OMC Cobra 2.3?

I agree with Bob, pull your plugs and see if the engine will turn over. The fact that you said the engine was suddenly stopped from 3/4 throttle. You also could have ingested water into the motor and it may be hydrolocked. Did it stop by itself or did somebody hit the key?

 

[flotillagorilla]

Re: Reset Switch-OMC Cobra 2.3?

Stopped by itself.

 

[rattana]

Re: Reset Switch-OMC Cobra 2.3?

I would pull the plugs and see if it turns over. Watch for any water spitting out the plug holes while cranking it. <br />If it is a mechanical clunk, something could have let go inside your block. Some quick tests will verify what is wrong. If you have access to a compression gauge, do a compression test. <br />Let us know what you find.

 

[flotillagorilla]

Re: Reset Switch-OMC Cobra 2.3?

Actually I already took it in for repair. It may be hydro locked. But the interesting thing is this. I thought I would just get a new deep cycle marine battery and that would be the problem or so I was hoping. I got the thing home and hooked it up and although sluggish, the motor started for about 15 seconds and quit again. And from there on it went back to the usual single klick or kunk sound you here when turning the key. I am now thinking maybe its a fuel issue.

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Reset Switch-OMC Cobra 2.3?

You may have a fuel issue that won't let you start it or keep it running but with a brand new battery you should still be able to turn it over many times even if it won't start, there has to be another problem as well, please keep us up to date with what you find out.

 

[flotillagorilla]

Re: Reset Switch-OMC Cobra 2.3?

Hopefully not the dreaded fuel pump, but I'll keep you posted. Thanks for all your responses!

 

[flotillagorilla]

Re: Reset Switch-OMC Cobra 2.3?

Ok guys here's the scoop. I'm an idiot!!!!!!!!!!! I used to have an outboard and had learned how to winterize and fill the lower unit and save myself some cash. Well, apparently I only filled my I/O to the lower unit and didn't continue to pump gear lube up into the upper unit. The mechanic is telling me it's going to cost $1000.00 without even opening it up because he said he had seen this happen to people a hundred times before. He says the bearings need to be replaced. I talked with him at length of course telling him that I know he is the expert and I trusted him etc, but he mentioned a few things that bothered me. One being that he hasn't really seen how bad it is because he actually hasn't opened it up yet. The fact that he told me that the water coming in through the cooling hose which caused us to have to start and stop several times may have been a blessing in disguise. True we really didn't have the motor running all that long before we ended up being towed in. I had it running maybe 30 seconds at half throttle before it stopped on it's own. Could it really get that hot in that short of time?? When I asked him if we could just try filling it all the way up with gear lube and just trying to see if it would start, he really didn't persuade me against it all that much. He said he couldn't guarantee it wouldn't work and that he couldn't guarantee it would. The fact that it did start up for me for about 15 seconds the other day with the new battery suggest to me that maybe, just maybe the bearings aren't melted together yet at all and maybe, just maybe I can save myself 1 large if it works. All he said was he had already ordered the parts and he would call and cancel them, I think to get me to commit to the work. And then he mentioned there might be some metal shavings in there. Boating friends of mine at work said to try draining what I put in the lower unit and pour about a quart of karosene from the top hole as a way to remove any possible metal in there and then to try filling it all the way up this time. If it don't start, well I guess I'll take it back to them and have them fix it. My thought being how possible is it that the mechanic would fill it with 2 more quarts of gear lube and start it and charge me a grand??? I would hate to be hosed but at the same time I thought it was at least worth taking a chance to save myself not only money but further embarrasment. He is already charging me an hours worth of labor to look and see that there was no lube at $65 bucks an hour. I could also take it to another mechanic in the area to get it repaired if necessary. Love to see all of your thoughts on this. What a huge price to pay for such a stupid noob mistake. Unbelievable!!!!