SB Engine Won't Start... Ignition Switch?

[gnealon]

Guys, 2 weeks ago I dropped my boat in the water at a public park and drove it home. Ran like a champ. Yesterday i loaded up the family, went to start the engines and my SB engine won't start.

It is acting as if the battery is dead. I don't even here a click, however i do hear the fuel pump prime. A voltage meter is showing 12 V at the 50 amp breaker as well. I have a feeling it is my ignition switch. I asked my wife to hold down the ignition button and I didn't get any voltage to the starter solenoid (i did have voltage on 1 leg of the solenoid). I confirmed that voltage should be there on the engine that was running.

Now... do you guys agree w/ my assessment? I don't know much about this stuff. Just able to do some basic diagnosis.

Tonight, I plan on going down to the boat and bridging the starter solenoid to see if the starter is OK and the engine fires up. Unfortunately i didn't have anything w/ me yesterday to do that.

If the switch is bad, how expensive/envolved is that to fix? I'd like to hear people's thoughts on the fix as well.

Thanks everyone!!!!! :smt100

 

[Thomas Molin]

Hi,

Have you checked that the gear really is in neutral? That function is made that way so you don´t get any power to engage the starter if you try to start it in gear.

If there should be any problems with the ignition switch, that´s an easy and cheap fix. As far as I remember your boat has the "normal" rocker switches for ignition? I think it costs about 25 USD and it takes 20 minutes to change it.

 

[gnealon]

Hi,

Have you checked that the gear really is in neutral? That function is made that way so you don´t get any power to engage the starter if you try to start it in gear.

Thanks Tom for reminding me, I forgot to mention in my orig. post that checking the gear was the first thing i did. I wiggled... forward -> reverse... etc to confirm.

 

[billnpat]

Hi,

Have you checked that the gear really is in neutral? That function is made that way so you don´t get any power to engage the starter if you try to start it in gear.

If there should be any problems with the ignition switch, that´s an easy and cheap fix. As far as I remember your boat has the "normal" rocker switches for ignition? I think it costs about 25 USD and it takes 20 minutes to change it.

That was my first thought also about the gear, it happened to me :smt021

 

[gnealon]

That was my first thought also about the gear, it happened to me :smt021

I've had that happen to me as well. Its a nice when that's the only problem :smt021

 

[billnpat]

I've had that happen to me as well. Its a nice when that's the only problem :smt021

yes, very, very, nice......:smt038:smt038

 

[Scuma]

Switches are inexpensive...$15-$20. If that's the issue, the boat will be ready this weekend no problem

 

[gnealon]

you actually play with the wires

And which wires should I play with? :smt101

 

[gnealon]

Guys... quick update... the ignition switch is bad. I pulled it out last night and will be replacing it. (15 or 20 bucks i believe) The engine cranked and turned over when i jumped the starter solenoid.

Just a FYI for those who need to pull their ignition switch out (assuming our boats are similar). It's very easy to get behind the dash on a 280. Once back there, you just pull the plug out of the switch and depress 4 tabs. 2 tabs are on the top, 2 are on the bottom. Once depressed, just push the entire switch forward and out the front of the panel.

Once the switch is out, you need to remove the rocker part. Its on there pretty good, don't be afraid to pull. You grab the top of the rocker and pull. It will snap out.

Thanks guys for the help.

 

[gnealon]

Does anyone know where I may be able to buy a new ignition switch? My local Marine Max dealer is all out and wont get them for over a week. I'd like to try and get out this weekend if possible w/o manually starting it via a jumper wire

Thanks.