neutral safety switch? engine cranks but won't fire

[1HDRider]

I have a 1995 Crownline 182 with a 4.3LX. Ocassionaly when I try to start the boat it cranks but wont fire. If I wiggle the shifter back and forth it fires right up. Is there a neutral safety switch inside that might have a loose connection? If so how do I get it apart? It seems like the starter has power but the ignition does not. Thanks...

It has a Quicksilver 3000 controller

 

[Philster]

Re: neutral safety switch? engine cranks but won't fire

If my Mercruiser shifter is not absolute dead center in nuetral, I get nothing at the turn of the key. Not a click, not a crank. I get nothing.

If the kill switch lanyard is loose or acting up, you can crank the engine all day and night and it won't start. It'll crank til it dies.

 

[1HDRider]

Re: neutral safety switch? engine cranks but won't fire

Interesting.. I guess I will have to go out there and figure out how to get it apart to check it out. I wondered about the kill switch. Have you ever had one apart? Thanks for the info...

 

[Philster]

Re: neutral safety switch? engine cranks but won't fire

There are merc manuals in this forum listed under the headings 'adults only' to get your attention. They are 'sticky' threads that are always here. There are wiring diagrams in the merc manuals.

Sometimes, it just needs a little jiggle, because the presence of the lanyard keeps the switch from activating. I'd remove the lanyard and pop in back into place. Sometimes it gets loose. I wouldn't guess it's a complete failure of the mechanism at this point.

After reading your post again, I just realized that you said wiggling the shifter starts 'er right up. Maybe you don't have a lanyard kill issue. Oops!

 

[1HDRider]

Re: neutral safety switch? engine cranks but won't fire

Thanks Philster it could still be the problem. The kill switch is located in the front lower corner of the control unit so when I rattle the shifter it could cause it to reconnect. My problem is going to be figuring out how to get it apart to check the connections. I'm going to head out to the pole barn now and take a look at it.

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: neutral safety switch? engine cranks but won't fire

A bad neutral safety switch won't allow the engine to crank at all, so that can't be your problem.

 

[1HDRider]

Re: neutral safety switch? engine cranks but won't fire

Thanks guys. After taking it all apart and reassmebling I believe the wires got pulled to tight on the kill switch. Two of the straps holding the wiring harness up in the side of the boat were broken. You were correct Philster when you said the kill switch would let it crank all day but not start. If it gives me any more problems I am going to eliminate the switch have never used it anyway. This forum is pretty cool a person can find alot of information.