Starting Problems

[maphillips3]

I have a 1986 bayliner 2.3 volvo engine. I had not ran in several days so I wanted to start it up just for a second just so I knew it would still run. I primed the engine and turned the key, It cranked over a few times but didnt start. I let off the key and when I went to try it again, nothing!!!the volt meter does not drop or anything. the guages still light up and the bilge pump still works, but the blower stopped working as well. Any Ideas why I am not getting power to the starter, and why it would turn over one second and not the next??? anything would be helpful. Thanks

 

[Don S]

Re: Starting Problems

You're going to have to start testing from the ignition switch to the starter to find out where the problem is.<br />Could be just a neutral safety switch. Did you try moving the shifter back and forth a little to see if it wasn't quite in neutral?<br />And what do you mean when you say "Primed it"?<br />Are you using the Throttle only postion on the shifter?

 

[maphillips3]

Re: Starting Problems

I tryed moving the lever back and forth to see if I could get it to start, but no luck. Do you know if there is a fuse in the line anywhere? If so where would it be at? There are several fuses under the dash and I checked all of those, but none were burnt out. Is it odd that the blower(that usually works regaurdless whether the boat is running) is not working now? Do you see a connection anywhere? Thanks for your help!

 

[novicetech]

Re: Starting Problems

Matt, the blower is probably just a coinsadense, excuse my spelling. Do you have a meter or test light and know how to use it? If so trace the wire from the battery to ignition switch should have at least 12 volts between wire and ground and then have someone turn the key to start and then you should have 12 volts on terminal going to the starter solenoid. You can do the same thing for the neutral saftey switch.

 

[Don S]

Re: Starting Problems

Boats are not wired so every thing comes off the ignition switch like a car.<br />You need to do some troubleshooting to find out if you have power coming off the start terminal on the switch, if you do, then move on through the wiring till you find another connection and check it.<br />It may be a bad connectore in the wiring harness that has corroded through.<br />You will need a wiring diagram from a service manual to locate the wiring on the starter and follow it to the switch or from the switch to the starter. <br />Not knowing what model engine you have it's impossible to say if you have a fuse or not, that is why you need to use a meter or test light to track the problem down and find where the power stops.

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: Starting Problems

Matt, sorry this probably isn't much help, but I had a 1987 Bayliner that had the same symptom and I found an inline fuse back in the engine compartment. It was at the back of the engine, in the main wiring harness. It was several years ago, can't remember much. Hopefully you can find a wiring diagram.

 

[maphillips3]

Re: Starting Problems

Thanks, I will try these suggestions. If anyone has anymore that they think of, please send them on over. I would dare to say it is probably a fuse, or the neutral safety switch. If the fuse is not blown, I may try to bypass the safety switch to see if that is the problem.

 

[maphillips3]

Re: Starting Problems

I got it started!! I bypassed the neutral safety switch and still noting happened, so I went up onder the dash and apparently had knocked a wire loose when I was working with the bilge pump switch. After all wires were connected it started fine. Thanks to everyone for their help.