97 Fast Strike 115 gauge problems/dies suddenly

[Jacob645]

So the last few times I've been out I'll take off and the engine will suddenly lose power for about a half second like it lost spark then immediately recover and be just fine. This only happens once or twice a day. Today it happened while idlin and the motor completely died. Did that a couple times. I also noticed that my fuel gauge and water pressure gauge weren't working anymore. The beep would sound when I turned the key on, but the gauges wouldn't tick down like normal. I loaded the boat and tried when I got home. The gas gauge is working again now. Could this be an ignition switch problem?

 

[Bosunsmate]

Could this be an ignition switch problem?

yep

 

[boobie]

When it died, did it start right back up ??

 

[Jacob645]

Yes. Never any problem restarting it. I've also had problems keeping the kill lanyard on. It has never worked properly though. I can pull it at any time and it doesn't do anything

 

[boobie]

That kill switch could be your problem.

 

[V153]

That kill switch could be your problem.

Agreed. They do go bad. But I'd double-check all connections inside the control box before I started throwing parts at it.

 

[V153]

And yes, the ignition switch might be the culprit.

 

[Jacob645]

Update: changed switch out. Still has the same problem. Happens almost every time I take off now right before I get up to plane. Looked at my plugs and all except the top left were just a little damp with oil/gas. The other was completely dry.

 

[Jacob645]

Bump

 

[Jacob645]

Ttt

 

[Jacob645]

Bump

 

[SparkieBoat]

check your carb on that cylinder?

 

[Jacob645]

check your carb on that cylinder?

Have a carb kit on the way. I pulled the plug wire in that cylinder while it was running on the muffs. It bogged down and missed, so I know it's getting gas and spark of some sort. Only happens under load.

 

[SparkieBoat]

maybe only a partial clog.

 

[Jacob645]

Took it out to see if new plugs helped today. Not a single problem, but I'm still a little concerned about my top left spark plug being really dry. How does this look?

 

[jakedaawg]

is the safety lanyard integral to the key switch or is it on its own?

 

[SparkieBoat]

show a pic with all the plugs together

 

[Jacob645]

These are the old plugs in order from 1-4. #1 is the one that's pretty dry. I'll try to get a pic of all the new ones later today.

 

[SparkieBoat]

number 2 looks a little lean to me. I would like to see the new plugs. but a good carb cleaning is always a good idea. you do not have to buy a kit, just take it apart and blow carb cleaner with the red straw through the main jets and remove the needle valve and clean that passage out good, make sure your float is adjusted properly.

 

[Jacob645]

I had also just done a decarb with some deep creep right before I took this pic. I will get a pic of the new ones asap. Thanks for your input!