'98 Merc 200 EFI, intermittent failure - help

[Idaho Bassman]

I put the boat in the water, it started, I backed it off the trailer. Then the engine quit. When I turned the key on to restart it, I did not get the familiar '3 beeps'. The engine would crank just fine, but would not start. It was like the kill switch was tripped, but I checked, it was fine. So I pull the top and start looking for loose or broken wires, none. I open the oil res. to check level, its fine. Put the top back on, turn on the key, I get 3 beeps and the engine fires??? So I put it in gear, hammer down, it dies again and stayed dead the rest of the day. I fished 8 hours on the trolling motor, until the batteries began to die. Tried many time through out the day but no beeps. Took the boat home turned the key on 3 beeps??? Took it to the lake and it ran fine?? Has anybody seen this, will it quit the next time out?? I'll take any help or advice here. thanks

 

[495v]

Re: '98 Merc 200 EFI, intermittent failure - help

I had an intermittant failure similar and it was the kill switch going bad. It finnally went bad and would not start at anytime. I get one long beep when the key is turned. When my kill switch began to go, I would not get any beep and the engine would not fire. Then I would get a beep and it would fire. This problem only occured on startup for me, never while running. Just a though but I'm sure someone has better advice for you.

 

[Idaho Bassman]

Re: '98 Merc 200 EFI, intermittent failure - help

Thanks 495v,<br />I checked the kill switch a couple times, however it could be something not so obvious.<br /><br />Anyone else have any ideas???

 

[495v]

Re: '98 Merc 200 EFI, intermittent failure - help

How did you check it? Did you take apart the shift mechanism and remove it and actually test it? I found out on mine because my local mechanic walked me thru a by-pass over the phone to determine if this was the problem and it was.

 

[Idaho Bassman]

Re: '98 Merc 200 EFI, intermittent failure - help

I had the mechanic check the kill switch at the engine, he said it was fine. So we, the mechanic and I, took the boat to the lake to try and find the problem. Boat ran fine, could not reproduce the problem. Went to the lake last night to go fishing, problem came back. Same as first post above. Put the boat on the trailer, just for fun I hit the key boat started????? Any ideas?<br /><br />Thanks, Idaho Bassman

 

[my new fishmaster]

Re: '98 Merc 200 EFI, intermittent failure - help

I have posted this way to many times but fuel starvation goes hand in hand with 2cycle outboards. Does the starter beep only on the first starting try? Could be its a smart engine and does this only once then when you keep trying to start it stays quiet. I would check the fuel pump the rubber can get turned over a little.