Dead in the water

[Rinker85]

Hello,

I have a 2001 Volvo Penta 5.7L GS. Today I left the Marina and got about a mile away. As soon as I increased speed the engine backfired and quit. I tried to restart the boat but it would not turn over at all. No power going to the starter. One battery is brand new the other is a couple years old. They both showed full 12 volts. Would a fuel pump relay cause this? I mean to actually shut down power to the ignition. Or would a bad alternator cause this? But how would I get a mile up the River with a bad alternator?

 

[ChrisinPHX]

Breakers good? They can be really hard to press in if one popped. Check them if you haven't already.

 

[Scott Danforth]

no, a fuel pump relay would not cause it to not turn over.

a bad connection on either the battery cables, the starter, or the block would.

clean all the connections with a wire brush or 150 grit sand paper, make sure they are tight.

 

[Rinker85]

Hi Scott. All connections are tight and clean. I took the alternator out to get tested on Monday. What I don’t understand is if I was using battery 2 and a bad alternator was not charging battery 2 why wouldn’t battery 1 start the boat ?

 

[dypcdiver]

I believe the alternator powers the fuel pump(s) after starting, you might just have been running of the fuel bowl of the carb.