310 DA Emergency Start System ??

NoWakey

NoWakey

New Member
Oct 10, 2006
144
Des Moines, Iowa
As my Signature indicates I have a 240 DA but I am trying to help out a fellow dock neighbor with a 2000 310 DA w/5.7 EFI BIII's.
Last weekend all of a sudden his starboard engine would not start. We have been over all of the simple things like verifying the breaker and the key switch in the main DC panel and the battery connections and voltage. In addition the 50 AMP breaker on the starboard engine.
Here is where things get a little screwy. When we engage the Emergency Start Switch at the helm in conjunction with the start switch for the starboard side, the engine does not power up and will not crank. But, If we start the Port Side engine first, then try to start the Starboard side with the E-Start switch it will crank and start. But, when we let up on the E-Start switch the Starboard engine shuts down immediately.
I called MM today on the subject and they where not much help. This guy is a great old boy and I sure would like to help get him going again before the holiday weekend.
Any comments or suggestions on what rock to look under next would be greatly appreciated.

Jim
 
I was messing around with my emergency start system a few weeks ago and had a simillar issue where one engine would only start with the switch depressed but then would quit when the switch was released. Have you checked the circuit breaker for ignition down in the cabin on the 12V circut breaker pannel?
 
Check the breakers under the cockpit sink as well. Also, it could be a very dead battery due to a failed alternator. This would mean after the boat is started there is not enough juice to keep the ignition system going.
 
I would be looking at the starting battery for the starboard engine.
 
Not quite a rock to look under, but here is what it wrong:

There is a fusible link....looks like an epoxy covered inline fuse......on the terminals on the starter that is blown. You have to replace it as it isn't reset-able. The dead engine only gets power when you cross feed the starting voltage with the emergency start switch. When you release the switch, the engine loses voltage and it dies. Replace the fuse on the dead engine and go boating.
 
Thanks to all for the information offered.

Frank W., I need to drill down another level with you as all the other related components have been verified as good. Your explanation is the most viable based on what I am seeing. But, here is the point of confusion. The power feed that you are describing appears on the schematic to be protected by a 50 AMP breaker and is mounted up on the intake manifold. So the question is, should I still be looking for a fuse, or has this 50 AMP breaker replaced a fuse in this power feed circuit??

The 50 AMP breaker previously mentioned is not popped, but this does not mean that we don't have a bad breaker, or a bad connection at the breaker.

Thanks,

Jim
 
Jim,

Look at all the wires connected to the starter..........you are looking for a black wire with a "bulb" molded into it. It should be fairly short with ring terminals on one or both ends. Replace that part.
 
Reporting in on the 310 project....
Frank I did find the fuse device that you were referring to but it checked out good. So, I just had to start stepping my way through the schematic from the engine forward. The problem turned out to be wire #211, the power feed to the Starboard Start/Stop/Run rocker switch at the helm. The spade connector was plenty tight on the switch. In fact I had to pry it back to get my voltmeter probe on it, but none the less there was a bad connection at that point.
Once again, thanks to all for your input! Captain Johnson, [The 310 Owner] wanted me to convey his appreciation as well.
Have a great weekend on the water!

Cheers,

Jim
 
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