Engine Thud...see story below

Craigalan

Craigalan

New Member
Sep 15, 2014
428
Great Lakes
Boat Info
2000 Sundancer 270 with all the fixins...
Engines
Merc 7.4, 310 horses
2000 270DA. Merc 7.4

So, I went to start my engine today...did not start and I heard a thud. Tried again, same thing...no start and a thud. I then noticed that my curious 2.5 year old toddler had pushed this red button down to "off" on my throttle. I pushed the switch up to "run", tried to start it, but it did the same thing. I tried it a 4th time, with red button still on "run" and it started right up and we saw/heard no problems or weird noises for the rest of the day. Could the pushing of this button to "off" produce the results I described? I am hoping yes...see pic for said button on my throttle.
252d8d524ffcf620ed281ab15d73f4b7.jpg
 
This is the "kill switch." It is made to be clipped to the driver via a lanyard so that if you were to be propeled from the boat or fall out, it would be tripped to the off position and the engine would shut down. In my experience with them, the starter will turn the engine over, but it will not start. Have never heard a "thud." I use it during the winterization process and to check compression. I am sure someone more knowledgeable will chime in as to the "thud."

Bennett
 
I wasn't there; I didn't hear it, but here is a guess. When you crank an engine with the kill switch off, the ignition or spark is killed. Everything else works. What you are hearing is likely the starter bendix returning to it's rest position. It does the same thing when the motor starts, but you can't hear it because of the noise the motor makes.

So the answer is yes, letting a toddler play with switches can product the effect you witnessed.
 
not sure about the thud but that switch is for a tether strap that goes on your wrist so if you fly off the boat the strap pulls out and stops the motor maybe when you pushed it back up it didn't fully engage they need a shove sometimes
 
Thanks to all. I learned a little something here. But, the big winner here is fwebster. Put my mind at ease. Thanks. And again, excellent forum!
 
Last year when I was rack stored they always ran salt away through the engine before it was stored, had it launched one day turned it over several times it sounded like it wanted to start but wouldn't. I was going to open the hatch to look around by chance I tried the kill switch it was half way between on-off turned it on and it started right up. I guess if it's close enough to give some contact on the switch it will sound like it's going to start, I always check the kill switch now before starting it.

Edit: The shifter neutral push button on 3000 units over time can get gunked up had mine stick once couldn't get it out of neutral, had to take it apart, cleaned it up, lubed with WD40 no more sticking. That button can't be purchased new anymore so be careful if you take it apart the 3000 classic is a classic now.
 
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Last summer I spent 10 days on the ICW. On the Friday of the final weekend the Admiral comes down with First Mate Underfoot (our dog) to spend the final weekend on the boat with me. After loading everything up, the boat would not start. The starter cranked great but it simply would not fire. I was stumped: it had just worked fine and been trouble free all week. I spent a long time in the engine room and fuse panel etc trying to locate the problem, finally gave up, and went up to the marina office and had them call for a mechanic to come to the marina to get it diagnosed and fixed. While returning out to the slip to the boat, my dog comes running out for me happyhappy in a great mood, tail wagging, and proudly holding the kill switch lanyard in his smiling mouth.

Duh.
 
Good stories. Glad to hear others have had similar Duh! moments.


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