350 MPI reman alpha wont start again

joaha

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Dec 12, 2020
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Hi!

Got a new 350 mpi for alpha drive about 3 years ago, has run about 100 hours and was serviced by me according to the book.

Has been running approx 10h this seaseon. After going about 1 hour I changed gear and the motor died. Afterwards it wouldn't start, not the next day either.

Checked the following:
No alarms
No alarms from vesselview
Voltage in batteries
Fuel lines, all the way to the fuelpump.
Pulled two spark plugs, both dry, a little sooty but fine.
The microswitch used for the alpha drive doesn't stick, also tried to measure the voltage from it, it gives higher voltage when pressed anyway (if I measured correctly).
The fuel pump sounds when I start the engine, before I turn it over completely.
It runs fine on the starter motor and sounds like normal, but never fires.
Tried starting with higher idle.
Ran out over 1.5 tanks, so the fuel is new.

Any ideas? Feels like an electrical fault or possibly a fuel fault, but it's crazy that the soup fault would occur just when I'm shifting...
 

alldodge

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Which ignition system does it have, EST or Flat cap?
Turn key ON and measure 12V at the coil
 

alldodge

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ok, flat cap so HVS ignition
Pull connector off coil to see if 12V is present
 

joaha

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Dec 12, 2020
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Pulled one spark plug, no spark when trying to start.

Tried this:
IMG_5048.jpeg

and it started... Just came back from a test run, shifted many (20x) times and works fine now. Strange problem, but solved.
 
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alldodge

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Reading your 1st post it says nothing about it NOT cranking. It was under stood that the motor work turn over/crank but would not start/run.

The neutral safety switch keeps the motor from cranking if drive is not in neutral. Your motor could crank but would not start, so it's working now but it will fail again later
 

joaha

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Reading your 1st post it says nothing about it NOT cranking. It was under stood that the motor work turn over/crank but would not start/run.

The neutral safety switch keeps the motor from cranking if drive is not in neutral. Your motor could crank but would not start, so it's working now but it will fail again later
Yes it did crank/turn over. But starting with a bit throtle and and pulling i back and forth worked. So i agree, it wasn’t the neutral safety switch.
 

cyclops222

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A erratic INTERRUPTER SHIFTING switch ? Coming loose ? Or starting to die slowly ?
 

nola mike

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Apr 22, 2009
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Yes it did crank/turn over. But starting with a bit throtle and and pulling i back and forth worked. So i agree, it wasn’t the neutral safety switch.
The point being, the problem isn't solved...it's waiting to leave you stranded.
 

joaha

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Dec 12, 2020
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A erratic INTERRUPTER SHIFTING switch ? Coming loose ? Or starting to die slowly ?
Yeah that could be the problem, had a look and tried to clean it before I managed to start as mentioned above. Might be worth it to buy a spare one and keep in the boat.
 
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