wants to start, but won't...

[hotmerc]

i'm working on a mid '80s silverton twin screw inboard with 350 goodwrench marine engines. the starboard engine will start but when the key is released it dies. if i hold the key in the start with the starter engaged it will throttle up, but dies when i let if go. i changed the ignition coil, same problem. checked the points and they were okay. i took the rotor out of the port engine and put it in the starboard and it started up and ran for about 10 minutes, then died again. i noticed in the distributor cap that the little nipple on the inside where the coil wire goes has no spring tension like the port cap does. could this be my problem?

 

[Don S]

Re: wants to start, but won't...

Marine engines should have a complete tuneup EVERY year. This includes points, condenser, cap, rotor, and spark plugs, setting the dwell, timing and carb adjustment. Being around water is not something an automotive sees a lot of.<br />A defective ballast resistor could cause a similar problem, but changing the rotor wouldn't make it run longer unless you just moved some wiring around and caused it to make contact for a bit longer.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: wants to start, but won't...

that point type system uses a bypass wire from the starter R terminal to the positive coil tower. it bypasses and inline resistor in the circuit, hence the name. as long as the start solinoid is energized it feeds 12v to the coil. were I you not only would I go back and study the manual but I would start looking for the lost voltage.<br /> how would a defective high tension lead on the cap care what position the keyswitch was in for conduction, nost all trouble shooting is is a logical sequence base on a SOUND working knowledge of the systems. without a SOUND working knowledge its easy to get sidetracked, waste time, create more damage and generally spend a lot of cash.<br /> <br /> good luck but your describing a faulty run circuit in the harness someplace.

 

[Davenc]

Re: wants to start, but won't...

Had the same problem not to long ago. I installed a new ignition switch and problem solved.