Mercruiser 470 Runs With Key in Start Position

[vaboatdoc]

im working on a Mercruiser 470 still with points style ignition. engine will start and run with the key in start position but will not run when key is released to the run postion. Traced out the purple wire and have good voltage to the choke and in the wire coming from it going to the coil. But at the positive side of the coil i only end up getting 4 volts once its gone through the resistor wire. Did put a new set of points and condenser on and checked the dwell. Also jumped 12v direct to coil to see if it would run and it ran fine. Really running in circles on this one any assistance would be great

 

[J JACKSON]

Re: Mercruiser 470 Runs With Key in Start Position

check your kill switch by the throttle controls

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercruiser 470 Runs With Key in Start Position

If you get 4 volts, you probably have a corroded connection somewhere between the ignition switch and the engine. Start looking at the ignition switch and work your way to the coil.

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Mercruiser 470 Runs With Key in Start Position

That sure sound like a bad ballast resistor but not sure if that motor uses one.

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercruiser 470 Runs With Key in Start Position

That sure sound like a bad ballast resistor but not sure if that motor uses one.

It doesn't have one, but I would bet he now goes looking for one because it sounds like an easy fix.

 

[bfjou812]

Re: Mercruiser 470 Runs With Key in Start Position

I had a similar problem and wound up changing the resistor wire and that fixed it.

 

[vaboatdoc]

Re: Mercruiser 470 Runs With Key in Start Position

figured it out. had a bad connection at engine connector