Here we go again.

jato1229

Seaman
Joined
Jul 29, 2010
Messages
59
Well i mention this before in a diff. post, but i need some answers please. For the past month while underway the motor (2002 200hp ficht) just shuts off as if someone turned the key off. I still have power to radios/gps etc but when i try to restart it, its dead as if the power to the batterys. After about 5min it will restart. O, and no alarms/codes.
 

Silvertip

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 22, 2003
Messages
28,771
Re: Here we go again.

So the simple check is to take a voltmeter or test light with you. Have the engine cover off so you can get to things quickly. Run the boat until it quits. Now check for voltage on the starter solenoid where the big red cable connects. If no power you have loose or corroded battery cable connections. Disconnect, clean thoroughly and reconnect tightly. That means both ends of the both the positive and negative cables. It doesn't do any good to clean just one of them if the other is bad as well. The accessories work because they are on powered by the "boat harness" not via the "engine harness". If you have voltage up to the solenoid, then check at the small terminal on the solenoid while someone holds the key in the START position. If no power is seen, the big red wire in the engine harness is not delivering power up to the ignition switch. Check for presence on the "B" terminal on the switch. With the key in the RUN position the "I" terminal should also show +12 volts. If there is power on the "B" terminal but not the "I" terminal you have a bad ignition switch. The "however" in all of this is that there might be a temperature sensitive component in the engine management system and it opens when hot. There is no way you can check that. But if you have power at the "I" terminal on the switch there is a good chance the problem is with the EM system.
 

jato1229

Seaman
Joined
Jul 29, 2010
Messages
59
Re: Here we go again.

Thanx silvertip , however if it's a loose cable why would it restart after about 5min. Every time it shuts down and try to restart ASAP I get no power. Then 5-7min later it cranks right up. Thanx for ur help.
 

Silvertip

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 22, 2003
Messages
28,771
Re: Here we go again.

I gave you some scenarios -- I didn't imply that it was positively a loose cable (but it can be). Loose or corroded cables cause high resistance to current flow. What I also mentioned is the engine management system may have a temperature sensitive component that opens when hot and becomes functional again when cool but that wouldn't be the cause for the engine not to crank.. But the fact remains, if the engine doesn't crank (won't turn over) when this happens, tells me you have some bad battery cable connections. No power to the engine and it dies. Clean them -- both the battery end and the engine end). You won't know if that's the issue unless you do this. And it's free. Always do the simple and free stuff first. Obviously replacing a fuel filter for example is not a logical troubleshooting tactic for an engine that won't crank so use a little bit of deductive reasoning here.
 
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