bizarre starting issue

[surroundsound64]

This has happend off and on for a while, and I have never been able to pin it down...

When I'm trying to start the boat, I crank on it and it cranks and cranks until I let off the key. Then as soon as I let off the key it fires right up.

I'm pretty sure it is an ignition problem, but I have cleaned all of the ignition parts and set the gap on the points (yes it is the old style points and condenser) and this problem still comes and goes.

Any ideas?

[DanielC]

RE: bizarre starting issue

This is just a wild guess. While cranking, the voltage at the ignition coil is pulled down to around 9 or 10 volts. That is not quite enough to fire a cold cranking engine, sometimes. When you let off the starter, the voltage jumps up, and the engine fires in the split second before it stops turning. Many ignition systems have a ballast resistor in them, and the resistor is bypassed when the engine is cranking, to keep the voltage higher at the coil.

[skiinxs]

RE: bizarre starting issue

My guss is that the igintions switch is bad. It doesn't send voltage to the ignition in the cranking position but it does in the "on" position. Sometimes when you release the key the engine is still spinning enough to start, sometimes it isn't. Easy to check, put a voltmeter on the ignition terminal on the switch and see if it is supplying voltage when you crank.
Dave

[surroundsound64]

Re: RE: bizarre starting issue

This is just a wild guess. While cranking, the voltage at the ignition coil is pulled down to around 9 or 10 volts. That is not quite enough to fire a cold cranking engine, sometimes. When you let off the starter, the voltage jumps up, and the engine fires in the split second before it stops turning. Many ignition systems have a ballast resistor in them, and the resistor is bypassed when the engine is cranking, to keep the voltage higher at the coil.

I have noticed it doesn't ever seem to do this with a freshly charged battery... maybe you have something there.

[surroundsound64]

Re: RE: bizarre starting issue

My guss is that the igintions switch is bad. It doesn't send voltage to the ignition in the cranking position but it does in the "on" position. Sometimes when you release the key the engine is still spinning enough to start, sometimes it isn't. Easy to check, put a voltmeter on the ignition terminal on the switch and see if it is supplying voltage when you crank.
Dave

I'll check that too!!!

Thanks for the ideas!

[richard]

worth try to bypass the killswitch.

[knowscc]

Install a jumper wire from the 10-32 blank post (nothing on it) on the starter relay to the coil side of the ballast resistor. This wire will allow battery voltage to power the coil in crank mode only, as this post is energized when key is turned to start position.

[surroundsound64]

worth try to bypass the killswitch.

There's not a kill switch.

[knowscc]

Do what knowscc said to do. Blank post will be marked with an 'S' for start. This post is energized when key is turned to start position, dead otherwise. Check it with your voltmeter.

[ken]

I'll bet anything it's a bad battery cell or two. I had the same problem on a Goldwing motorcycle. This went on for over a year. As soon as I replaced the battery the problem instantly went away.

Good Luck.

Ken

[Andrew]

Install a jumper wire from the 10-32 blank post (nothing on it) on the starter relay to the coil side of the ballast resistor. This wire will allow battery voltage to power the coil in crank mode only, as this post is energized when key is turned to start position.

x2 makes a world of difference

[boatech]

Install a jumper wire from the 10-32 blank post (nothing on it) on the starter relay to the coil side of the ballast resistor. This wire will allow battery voltage to power the coil in crank mode only, as this post is energized when key is turned to start position.

do this and all your troubles will be gone!!!!!!!!