Can't figure this one out

[Poopie D]

Hello:

I have a 2005 Four Winns 180 with a 4.3 Merc...about 60 hours on it.

The other day it started tripping the breaker switch next to the ignition and then stalling. I played around with the wires running to the ignition switch and it appeared like one was loose and that seemed to fix my problem....

Next time out...today

Ran great all day. Noticed a few little things though:

- It ran pretty rough when I was in slow reverse.

- When I applied full throttle from start, sometimes but not all the time, it would stumble and for a second it was like the boat lost electrical power...the radio would reset itself but the boat kept running

Towards the end of the day, I started it and went in a reverse a bit and it stalled. Tried again, stalled. Tried to start and then go forward...stalled. Second time going forward, gave a bit more gas and it started to run okay.

Any ideas what it could be? Thanks!

 

[spktho]

Re: Can't figure this one out

Since you found one electrical connection loose, I would bet there are more. Especially check all the ground connections. I would suggest cleaning all the connections you can get to also.

 

[Poopie D]

Re: Can't figure this one out

When I found the loose connection on the ignition, I checked and cleaned all the rest. I think it is something completely different.

Could be the lower shift cable on such a new boat?? Would that even cause my problem?

 

[cooter2506]

Re: Can't figure this one out

Try adjusting your lower shift cable. Or you could disconnect the lower shift cable at the shift bracket and try to move it by hand. If it is stiff replace cable.

 

[Don S]

Re: Can't figure this one out

Try adjusting your lower shift cable.

Why?????? Why would you just go spastically adjusting the shift cable, and what are you going to adjust it to, and why would you adjust it.
If the cable was out of adjustment, or stiff, the engine would either die or not shift. No in between.

Sure, watch and see if the shift interrupt switch is activated, but don't just start adjusting the cable for no reason.

Having said that, the new shift interrupt switches have been know to cause some running problems. If you suspect the switch could be the problem, when the engine is running rough, disconnect the switch. If the engine smooths out, plug it back in. If the engine starts running rough again, replace the switch.

 

[Poopie D]

Re: Can't figure this one out

Well searches on the forum more often than show a link to stalling in reverse to Lower Shift cable. I have no idea what the heck is going on. I do not know where to even find the shift interrupt switch.

The fact that it ran all day pretty much fine then started to stall in reverse has me puzzled...the cutting out of the radio and engine sputter at the same time makes no sense to me.

Boat is running fine on muffs in the driveway although it did the radio cut out thing once when revving it...

 

[Don S]

Re: Can't figure this one out

You may not have a shift interrupt switch. What outdrive do you have?

 

[jtybt]

Re: Can't figure this one out

'IF' it's the shift interrupt switch, at least you know it's working.

It is most likely on the starboard riser. A somewhat triangular plate about 8" long. The shift interrupt (I'm familiar with) switch has a little roller on the end of a SS lever. The whole thing is about an 1" long. Have someone shift as you watch the roller it should sit in the 'U' and move out of the 'U' but pop back down. If it stays up for more than a fraction of a second, the engine dies.

Cause is sticking lower shift cable.

 

[Poopie D]

Re: Can't figure this one out

Well: Here is a pic of my engine...maybe you can point to where I should look. It has an Alpha 1 outdrive

Thanks!

 

[Fun Times]

Re: Can't figure this one out

Also in all your testing, You might want to try and find the main wire harness coming from the back of the boat going to and pluging into the engine, The plug will look like a bigger black rubber plug with wires coming out of the back of it, And some times it will have a hose clamp holding it on, make sure that is pluged in right and try wiggling it around with the key on and also with the engine on and also watch the gauges at the dash to see if they go out at all, And try to see if wiggling that wire harness plug around could be killing your engine at times do to vibrations. The switch every one is talking about is going to be, While looking at the photo you took and posted, Look on the right side of the photo do you see the exhaust manifold riser with the grayish engine serial number stickers on the varry top, Now look a little left do you see the too shift cables and the braket that is mounted to the manifold, Now do you see the grayish switch with the too wires coming out of the switch going to the wire harness??? Unplug the too wires and see if your problems stop. Also what is your engine RPM's reading on the tack gauge when the engine is at idle, It should be set at 640 RPM's if it is idling to low it will stall the engine when shifting into gear.

 

[Poopie D]

Re: Can't figure this one out

Well, boat has been at the dealer for a few days now and of course they can't duplicate the problem...just my luck

Oh well

 

[rbh]

Re: Can't figure this one out

If I have had a loose connection in the past one thing I have always noticed is there is a carbon arc/corrosion due to the fact that you will get arcing on a dc circuit if loose and I did not do the maintanance on the posts and cables when I should have. keep them clean and tight or you will have a high resistance
rob