Suzuki DT 40 Starting Woes

[van4657]

Hey People Im new to this site So i figgured id say hello I have a funny problem with my 85 Suzuki DT40 I thought you good folks could help out I had a control box installed on my console So i have a key and a pull start heres my problem (try to stay with me) <br /><br />1 First time I put it in the water it fired up great no problem I towed it home from Tampa and put it in the water the next day and killed the battery twice trying to start it Finally after about an hour it started<br />The next day it fired right up (with key) It was good all week. Saturday Came and it would not start I checked spark and I had none with the key (my kill switch was in) When I pulled it I had spark the motor fired right up and died out I pushed the choke in and turned the key and she fired up and ran good all day (fired right up with the key start) The next few days she was good. this week same thing no spark when i turn the key but i have it when i pull start it.<br /> I think ive got it narrowed down to an electrical problem In the control box But beyond that im stumped Possibly the kill switch? does that come into play when you pull start it. Also it only happens when it rains or I wash the boat out again leading me to believe its electrical The engine bay is completely dry and once it fires up she runs good ALL day (No cutting out) And why once it fires up the first time it will start all day.. Any help would be appreciated big time..thanks

 

[jim dozier]

Re: Suzuki DT 40 Starting Woes

I've read your post a couple of times and I'm trying to stay with you but I'm still unsure where your problem lies. I think you are saying that you have trouble starting the engine but once started it runs OK. Apparently if it won't start with the electric starter motor, it will start if you have the ignition on and pull the manual start. Is this correct?<br /><br />I think you have 2 related problems.<br />1. The engine needs a tune up because its difficult to start.<br />2. Its difficult to start using the electric starter motor. If the starting voltage is low either due to low battery or bad connections the starter motor rpm will be too slow to fire off the ignition. The solution is to improve the connections or charge or replace the battery. Also it is conceivable that the starter motor needs work. The battery may have gone down in charge simply due to overuse because of #1 above in which case you need to look at the quality of your spark and more likely the condition of your carburetors (carb rebuild time). I have heard more than 1 Suzuki dealer say that their ignitions are pretty bullet proof so your fuel system may be in need of work.<br /><br />I have read that on some (I don't know if this applies to yours) motors if you disconnect the main electrical plug from the engine to the boat and turn over the engine using a remote starter button hooked up to the starter solenoid that if you don't get spark the problem is in the motor and if you do get spark the problem is in the boat wiring. Hope this helps.