Hello all, I am a new user to this forum and also a new boat owner to boot. I heard some great things about the people here and was really hoping to get some advice? Thank you in advance to anyone who can offer any!
Here's the scoop: Earlier this summer I bought a 1995 regal rush xp with the 90hp mercruiser 90hp. The man I bought it from had it stored (and winterized) since last year and told me "many components" had been rebuilt, etc. The boat fired right up the first time when I bought it and has ever since with no issues what so ever...until now. A tid bit of history: I was warned this boat had a few quarks. It would never start in the water if not started out of water shortly before going in the water. There is also a little ritual I was shown to go through to start it...choking, priming, etc. I've had it out close to 20 times so far this summer with no issues at all. The other day I was getting ready to take it out and went through the usual ritual and when I got it in the water, it wouldn't start.
So, out we came and back home. I'm again a novice boat owner, but not totally helpless, mechanically, just not very experienced. I started with the basic troubleshooting:fuel and spark. I thoroughly checked out the fuel system and after deciding there was no water, clogs, kinks, etc and the fuel pump was still good, I went to the electrics (which unfortunately I stink at). I have NOT removed the flywheel because I don't have the tool to do it. I did however start from the starter and work forwards. It cranks, no change in pitch or any strange smells or taps, or anything...I don't have a volt meter, but I do have the little tester that flashes when it senses current. It showed voltage all the way up to the switch box. I tested (and even changed) the spark plugs because they did look quite fouled but even the new ones had absolutely no spark at all. (1,2, or 3). Through reading several other forums, this leads me to believe it's the cdi switch box, which I am hoping it's not. the 20amp fuse is good, grounds are good but I am stumped. I don't want to shell out $300 if I don't have to for a new switch box only to find out that is not the cause. I read somewhere I could have the trigger and stator tested somewhere for fairly cheap before deciding that it was the switch box? By the way, I know what a stator and trigger are, just not on this vessel. This is where I get lost. I've looked at schematics till my eyes have crossed and I am afraid I am just getting in too deep for my level of knowledge.
Can anyone tell me if I'm on the right track? Thank you!
Here's the scoop: Earlier this summer I bought a 1995 regal rush xp with the 90hp mercruiser 90hp. The man I bought it from had it stored (and winterized) since last year and told me "many components" had been rebuilt, etc. The boat fired right up the first time when I bought it and has ever since with no issues what so ever...until now. A tid bit of history: I was warned this boat had a few quarks. It would never start in the water if not started out of water shortly before going in the water. There is also a little ritual I was shown to go through to start it...choking, priming, etc. I've had it out close to 20 times so far this summer with no issues at all. The other day I was getting ready to take it out and went through the usual ritual and when I got it in the water, it wouldn't start.
So, out we came and back home. I'm again a novice boat owner, but not totally helpless, mechanically, just not very experienced. I started with the basic troubleshooting:fuel and spark. I thoroughly checked out the fuel system and after deciding there was no water, clogs, kinks, etc and the fuel pump was still good, I went to the electrics (which unfortunately I stink at). I have NOT removed the flywheel because I don't have the tool to do it. I did however start from the starter and work forwards. It cranks, no change in pitch or any strange smells or taps, or anything...I don't have a volt meter, but I do have the little tester that flashes when it senses current. It showed voltage all the way up to the switch box. I tested (and even changed) the spark plugs because they did look quite fouled but even the new ones had absolutely no spark at all. (1,2, or 3). Through reading several other forums, this leads me to believe it's the cdi switch box, which I am hoping it's not. the 20amp fuse is good, grounds are good but I am stumped. I don't want to shell out $300 if I don't have to for a new switch box only to find out that is not the cause. I read somewhere I could have the trigger and stator tested somewhere for fairly cheap before deciding that it was the switch box? By the way, I know what a stator and trigger are, just not on this vessel. This is where I get lost. I've looked at schematics till my eyes have crossed and I am afraid I am just getting in too deep for my level of knowledge.
Can anyone tell me if I'm on the right track? Thank you!
