only runs with key in the wrong position

[sgajan]

I have a 1988 3.0 omc
I was out yesterday and shut the motor off and sat around for a while. When i went to start it back up the motor would only stay running with the key in the start position. Yeh the cranking position. As soon as i let go it dies. Anyone have any idea whats goin on here?

 

[bchoate]

Re: only runs with key in the wrong position

First thing to check is the "KILL SWITCH" sounds like that may have tripped

 

[sgajan]

Re: only runs with key in the wrong position

can you explain what the kill switch is? or where its located? And having this switch tripped will only let the motor run in the starting position?
Thanks

 

[Don S]

Re: only runs with key in the wrong position

The kill switch is the one the safety lanyard hooks to, IF you have one.

You could also have a bad ballast resistor, or resistor wire in your ignition system.

 

[sgajan]

Re: only runs with key in the wrong position

my boat doesnt have a safety lanyard. just the key ignition. I was wondering if you meant the nuetral kill switch. It did start up after sitting for about an hour but then died on me and only runs in the start position again.

 

[Don S]

Re: only runs with key in the wrong position

Turn the key to the run position and see if you have power to the purple wire on the ignition switch, if you don't, you have a bad switch, if you do, check at the small + terminal on the coil. No voltage, you have a wiring problem.
The neutral safety switch only controls the use of the starter, not the ignition.

 

[sgajan]

Re: only runs with key in the wrong position

I checked the voltage with the key on and i get 12v. But my coil has 2 plugs going into it and i dont see a + terminal on it. So im not sure what to check there. I do know that the purple wire going into the coil has 12v to it with the key in the run position though. still lost.

 

[Don S]

Re: only runs with key in the wrong position

You better post a picture of your coil and distributor, because an 88 OMC had a points distributor with a standard round coil. Sounds like your engine may have been converted to an EST ignition

 

[sgajan]

Re: only runs with key in the wrong position

Not sure if it was converted or not. But it doesnt have points. Under the dist. cap is a ignition module i guess. With 2 plugs coming off of it. will try and post pics of it. But it looks pretty basic with the 2 plugs on the coil and two plugs coming from the distributor.

 

[sgajan]

Re: only runs with key in the wrong position (pic)

Re: only runs with key in the wrong position (pic)

here is what it looks like. you can see the 2 plugs on the coil on the side. my motor is the same as this.

 

[Don S]

Re: only runs with key in the wrong position

That is an EST in your picture, OMC didn't use the EST ignition till 1990, and that's what it sounds like you have. It's still the same test. On the coil, check the purple wire with the key in the run position.

 

[sgajan]

Re: only runs with key in the wrong position

ok thanks. Wasnt sure what to call it. But i just went out and tried to start it and it started so fast that it cought me off guard. Banging my head now wondering where the issue is. yes the purple wire does have 12v to it though. could it be the module under the cap that makes the engine only run when the key is turned? i noticed also that the module has one green and white wire coming off of it to a lever type switch on the shift linkage. does that switch kill all power or just kill the ignition module under the cap? i do remember playing with it for a sec b4 i tried to start the motor just now.

 

[flargin]

Re: only runs with key in the wrong position

ok thanks. Wasnt sure what to call it. But i just went out and tried to start it and it started so fast that it cought me off guard. Banging my head now wondering where the issue is. yes the purple wire does have 12v to it though. could it be the module under the cap that makes the engine only run when the key is turned? i noticed also that the module has one green and white wire coming off of it to a lever type switch on the shift linkage. does that switch kill all power or just kill the ignition module under the cap? i do remember playing with it for a sec b4 i tried to start the motor just now.

You may be having intermittent switch problems... keep your meter handy, WHEN it does not start, you may find Don S was right... might try to tighten up the connections (sand shiny).

The lever type switch on the shift linkage is your neutral switch. if that is not working you will get no cranking when you are in the "Start" position, so that is likely not your problem in this situation.

 

[Don S]

Re: only runs with key in the wrong position

Nope, it's not the module. If it was the module, it wouldn't start either. If your engine is wired like OMC did it, you also get power to the coil from the starter solenoid. That's why it runs when you have it in start. When running, you get power from the ignition switch. Since it started, you still don't know if it's a bad switch or wiring to the engine.

 

[sgajan]

Re: only runs with key in the wrong position

Doesnt that switch kill the ignition module when going into nuetral? I guess its possible it was sticking and not letting the ignition module fire and just keeps killing tha motor when i let the key off? yeh this sux that it started and i didnt really do anything but play with that switch and the wire coming from it a bit.

 

[Don S]

Re: only runs with key in the wrong position

It is NOT the neutral safety switch. That just controls the starter from turning or not. Not the engine starting and running.
The shift interrupt switch would kill the spark even when the starter is turning, so that isn't the problem either.

 

[sgajan]

Re: only runs with key in the wrong position

Went out and turned the key on and no starting again. I jiggled the key a little bit and watched the guages flutter. im suspecting i have a bad key switch.

 

[sgajan]

Re: only runs with key in the wrong position

update.
I went and changed the key ignition and it fires right up. jiggled the new ignition and no fluttering of the guages. Hopefully this was the fix.

 

[Don S]

Re: only runs with key in the wrong position

It probably is, if the gauges were flickering, that wire that puts power to them is the SAME wire that puts power to the coil (The Purple Wire)