Engine help on a 280DA

[Clearview]

Gentlemen I'm looking for some help on my 2004 280 with twins 4.3's and 100 Hrs.

Nov 15 I was running along smooth as silk heading to have her pulled for indoor storage when one of the engines went dead, no alarms or anything just dead.
the other engine went to 2k rpm im guessing as a safety measure. The dead engine cranks fine so its not locked up but it just wont start. we put a fresh 20 of gas in changed the fuel filters which didn't look bad and still no go. The only sign I can see is that when you turn the switch to start theres no chirp like normal. As I said the other engine runs, chirps perfect. The indoor storage mechanic says it electrical. At $90 per hour he's hunting for gremlins this is going to hurt.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

 

[thegotoguyr]

You will likely find more help if you post this in the cruisers topic, not to much twin engine experience in this one. Good luck.

 

[MExcelsior]

Hello Clearview,

2004 with only 100 hrs? Assuming the engines are original with the boat, that boat definitely needs some more use. There is just so much that could have happened that I would probably first have your mechanic hook up a diagnostics tool and start from there along with making sure batteries are in good order. My first reaction, and the most simple was that it was a IAC, but not hearing the fuel pump and "beep" might rule that out. I've also never experienced a problem on one engine that would throw the other into limp mode. (If this is a feature, maybe someone can chime in and take us to school) It could be a an entire potpourri of problems. Let us know what you find or if you have any more specifics.

Mike

 

[kkalsch]

The same thing happen to me.... turned out to be a blown fuse -their are a few little black boxes next to the ECM which is mounted on the port side exhaust manifold -one of them has three fuses in it -check those fuses before you do anything else..........cheap fix!

 

[paulswagelock]

The same thing happen to me.... turned out to be a blown fuse -their are a few little black boxes next to the ECM which is mounted on the port side exhaust manifold -one of them has three fuses in it -check those fuses before you do anything else..........cheap fix!

Agree. Check the main 50 amp breaker first. They do go bad. Then check the individual fuses.

 

[dpmulvey]

I don't know if the 4.3 is the same setup as the 6.2 or if the 50 amp is the same but here goes as I had a similar problem. On my 6.2, under the air filter cover is a breaker that has a little yellow flag that pops down if the breaker is blown. To reset the breaker, push the flag up. It recesses into the breaker itself. I would look at that as a fix before I contacted anyone. The breaker is easily accessable and it costs nothing to look. My mech tells me Merc is abandoning the flag breaker in favor of the old style. He's been replacing an average of 7 flag style per year for the last 3 years. He has yet to replace an old button style due to premature wear.

New style (popped)



Old style



HTH

 

[paulswagelock]

I suggest you push the the button to intentionally trip then reset it. Sometimes it trips but the flag isn't showing.
there is a replacement program to eliminate the flag style as mentioned.

 

[paulswagelock]

Just noticed you said it cranks fine. Any chance the safety lanyard switch for the engine got bumped and is off, or the switch itself went bad?

 

[kkalsch]

Do not get confused here.... if the main 50 amp fuse was blown it would not turn over,,, the 3 fuses I reference on your 4.3 are as follows and if any one of them is blown the engine will still turn over but will not run!

1) Fuel Pump
2) Injector Fuse, ECM, DLC, Battery
3) ECM Fuse, ECM/Ignition/Injector/Knock Sensor Module

 

[Xplicitlnck]

I thought I post this already but not seeing it. If the fuses are good try swapping the ignition coils.

 

[kkalsch]

Good point...if all the fuses are still good -than I would do the easiest things first -squirt a little gas in the intake , if it fires up your fuel pump is bad, If it does not than as suggested start swapping parts..I would start with the coil than the ignition sensor located in the front of the engine above the harmonic balancer ,and lastly the ECM
Ask me how I know.........

BTW...if one of those fuses blows while running there is no beep or warning the engine just dies ..also keep in mind there is a underlining problem -in my case a bad alternator that spiked the system and blew the fuse -at the time if I had a spare fuse the engine would of run and I would been able to avoid a 3 hour 7 knot crawl back to my dock. I now keep spares on the boat!