Please help 86 merc. 140 (4) wont stay running!?!?

[onebigjeep07]

I hope someone can please help me so i can get in the water!! This is my first boat a 86 citation with a mercruiser 140 (4).. the boat is in great shape. the previous owner informed me that it needed a starter so i put a new starter and battery in. my problem is when i turn the key and give it throttle it starts and runs but only if i hold the key in the crank position.. as soon as i let the key go it shuts off...today i replaced the ignition but possibly put the 2 wires that are together on the back of the ignition backwards. when i tried it , it started and stayed running but the starter also stayed engaged so i shut it off.. switched the 2 wires and its back where it was (runs if you hold the key).. im prob. tearing this new starter but i love to hear it briefly run! lol ... any insight would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[Bondo]

Re: Please help 86 merc. 140 (4) wont stay running!?!?

Did you get the wires back on the Starter where they belong.........

Do you have a Manual,..??..??....

 

[Don S]

Re: Please help 86 merc. 140 (4) wont stay running!?!?

Does your boat have a lanyard kill switch? Is it off?
Get a meter and with the ignition in the run position, you should have around 8 or 9 volts at the + terminal of the coil. If not, trace back in your wiring to the ignition switch to find out where the power stops.
I'll post a drawing if I can find one for your model.

 

[Don S]

Re: Please help 86 merc. 140 (4) wont stay running!?!?

Go to this link http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/13/13E4R2.PDF and turn to page 4E-2. This is a wiring diagram similar to your engine. The manual is for newer engines, but the wiring diagram is the same.
The purple resistor wire (shown as dashed line) goes to the + terminal of the coil. If you don't have power there, check at the electric choke if you have one or the alternator. to see if there is power there.
Page 4E-5 shows the instrument panel.

 

[onebigjeep07]

Re: Please help 86 merc. 140 (4) wont stay running!?!?

thanks much.... ill check it out in the morning....

 

[danflop]

Re: Please help 86 merc. 140 (4) wont stay running!?!?

I just baught my first boat this year too, (86 searay seville mercruiser 140)
and had all the same problems. Maybe you already know this, but I didnt, the throttle lever acually pulls out towards the driver, which disinguages the gears so you can give it a little gas to get started, with mine on a cold start you wiggle the lever out towards the driver, give it 2 pumps forward, then let it sit at 1/4 throttle while turning the key over. Starts great every time, boy did I feel stupid when I finally figured that out, I spent 2 sleepless nights before I actually figured out the throttle lever.