Only Start on emergency

[Jimmy Buoy]

Fwebster - hi I sounds like you know a lot about the emergency switch and it’s issues. Can you help? I stranded out about 20 mikes from home. I took advice and changed all 4 batteries and replaced the 90 amp switch but still have issue that the stdb engine will not continue to run once the jumper switch is released. Is there a emergency jumper solenoid? Could this be the issue? Slave solenoid? Can’t find a picture of where this might even be. Thx for any help. Text 419-283-4638 if you can. Thx!

Just texted you on this. Had the same thing happen the other day as I left the dock. Port engine just died and wouldn't crank or beep or anything unless the emergency start button was held down. In my case it was a simple as the Port Ignition Breaker had tripped. After pushing it back on, the engine has run flawlessly as usual. In your case (from our texts) is doesn't seem so simple.

 

[IanHartten]

Just out of curiosity, where is your port side breaker? Is it a switch on the electrical panel in the salon or is it a switch (with a green light) on the main breaker panel in the engine room?

 

[be_prepared]

I had very similar behavior a couple years ago with one of my engines (8.1's), and after a lot of debugging, I found that disconnecting and reconnecting the wiring harness at the offending engine fixed the problem. Bad connection on one of the pins in there I assume. Thought I was good, but sure enough, a couple weeks later, it happened again, and I could start on emergency, but when I released it, the engine died. I took some dielectric grease, and squirted it into the holes in the wiring harness, put it back together, and haven't had a problem since, (almost 2 full seasons). (I did the same on the other engine, preventative maintenance I suppose.) YMMV

 

[bobeast]

Batteries are only two years old. Has to be something else. I don't even know what a fusable link is, but something is either constantly draining the battery or preventing the battery from getting a charge.

Well no. it doesn't have to be something else. Newish batteries can definitely fail, particularly if you have charging problems or excessive drain between charges.

 

[fwebster]

No, jumping the emergency solenoid only connects the 2 engines to one battery bank, so t hat is not t he answer.

If your engine cranks and starts while you hold the emergency start switch, then dies when you release it, the problem is in the electrical circuit on that motor. There is usually a fusible link either near the starter or near the main breaker for the engine. If that link blows (opens) then the engine cannot get any power. You need to find that link and test it..it is a <$20 part from Mercriuiser.

 

[oceanpearl]

This happened to me once.
My keys insert in my panel in the salon. The engine starter buttons are on the bridge next to the helm. The starboard engine would only start with the E start and would die as soon as I released the E start.
My problem turned out to be the on/off switch just below the key in the panel was turned off in error and was not visible due to the hanging floater attached to the key.
Don't know if you have the same setup. I felt very stupid when the mechanic found the switch in the off position.
My 2 cents!!!

 

[bobeast]

This happened to me once.
My keys insert in my panel in the salon. The engine starter buttons are on the bridge next to the helm. The starboard engine would only start with the E start and would die as soon as I released the E start.
My problem turned out to be the on/off switch just below the key in the panel was turned off in error and was not visible due to the hanging floater attached to the key.
Don't know if you have the same setup. I felt very stupid when the mechanic found the switch in the off position.
My 2 cents!!!

LOL. Reminds me of an incident back during my Navy days. Ensign drags me out of bed at 3 in the morning to go up to the bridge to fix a blank radar repeater. I get up there and discovered the problem. Not being in a particularly good mood, I spoke with a louder than necessary voice. "Sir, you have to have the ON-OFF switch in the ON position". Snickers heard across the bridge.

I just can't figure out why my next review indicated I had an attitude problem.

 

[Jimmy Buoy]

Just out of curiosity, where is your port side breaker? Is it a switch on the electrical panel in the salon or is it a switch (with a green light) on the main breaker panel in the engine room?

My ignition breakers are on the DC breaker panel in the salon (right beside the two ignition keys). Starting the boat is done with the toggle switches at the helm that has the "emergency start" toggle between the port and stb ignition/starter toggles. There is a green ignition on indicator light at the helm as well.

 

[Timeless]

Did you get issue resolved we have a 1998 40’ sundancer with Cats and same issue on starboard motor . Show no voltage dash and will only run when emergency switch is held down .

 

[oceanpearl]

Did you get issue resolved we have a 1998 40’ sundancer with Cats and same issue on starboard motor . Show no voltage dash and will only run when emergency switch is held down .

My problem was resolved. My error was the switch below the ignition key in the panel was flipped off and invisible due to the floater on the key chain covering the switch. Check my post on Sept 5 2018 explaining the problem.
I hope this is your resolution also.
Good luck!!!