Need help with my 2001 volvo penta

[Mattmbrowne]

I just purchased a 2001 crownline with volvo penta 4.3 gl. Was sitting for several years but would still start and run after replacing the fuel pump. Noticed that the seller had the wrong starter (non marine) bolted in with only 2 connections on the solenoid. This left the purple wire unconnected to the starter but jumped directly to the positive lead on the battery, dangerous I know. I put the correct starter on and connected both the purple and yellow/red wires in place on the solenoid. After the new starter the boat will crank but not start. Seems like connecting the purple wire to the starter has uncovered some other issue, not sure what though. Ran fine when connected directly to battery. Any help would really be appreciated. Thanks

 

[bruceb58]

The purple wire is basically the same wire that feeds your coil and alternator field from your ignition switch. Its connected to the starter solenoid so that during cranking, it gets connected more directl to battery voltage to reduce voltage drop. You have to make sure the terminal you are connecting it to on the starter solenoid is hot during cranking. In theory, the boat will likely start fine with the wire left unconnected.

Hard to believe the boat worked properly with that purple wire tied to battery voltage. The boat wouldn't be able to turn off with the ignition switch if that was the case.

 

[Mattmbrowne]

You are completely right, I did have to disconnect the wire to shut the engine off. The terminal is hot when cranking and the boat will try and start after cranking but it's like I am not getting enough fuel to idle. Fuel pump is good and plenty of fuel in the tank. Also the filter in the tank Is clear. Not sure where to go from here. Does the purple wire also tie into the kill switch, indicating a bad switch?

 

[Scott Danforth]

first, wire it back like it is in the manual

second, with a boat that sits for any length of time, you need to start at the tank and work your way to the carb and clean everything in the fuel system. old fuel turns to varnish and plugs everything from the tank strainer to the anti siphon valve to the fuel filter to the carb passages.

 

[Mattmbrowne]

Starter is wired in like is should be according to manual. Fuel system looks good and everything cleaned. Looks like I don't have 12 volts to the purple wire when I let off of the key so think I may be getting closer. When i turn the key it will fire up but when I let off of the ignition it will turn off. I haven't looked at the ignition to see if its wired correctly yet. Guess I should follow the purple wire and see if there is a break in it?

 

[bruceb58]

You are completely right, I did have to disconnect the wire to shut the engine off. The terminal is hot when cranking and the boat will try and start after cranking but it's like I am not getting enough fuel to idle. Fuel pump is good and plenty of fuel in the tank. Also the filter in the tank Is clear. Not sure where to go from here. Does the purple wire also tie into the kill switch, indicating a bad switch?

The kill switch is just inline with your ignition switch. Yes, it feeds the purple wire after that switch.

Go to your ignition switch and see if the ignition wire is hot when the ignition is in the on position. Also check voltage before and after the man overboard(kill) switch.

 

[Mattmbrowne]

Well I ran a jump wire on my kill switch and it fired up. Looks like I am getting a new teather switch. Thanks Bruce and scott for the help! Now on to the next fix.