OMC 4.3L won't stay started

[weslacey]

I have a 4.3L OMC Cobra on my '86 VIP 19' ski boat. Boat was running fine, then I changed gear oil, belts, and degreased the motor. When I washed the degreaser off, I was careful not to get water in near the carb or distributor. Now, boat immediately starts right up but immediately dies. It's getting a good spark, and it's getting fuel. Fuel pump is working, carb seems to be working as well. The only think I can come up with is a faulty ignition, because as soon as you stop turning the key to start it, the boat dies. It seems it's definitely something electrical. Anyone had any experience with this? Have I screwed up something electrical with the water? Thanks.

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: OMC 4.3L won't stay started

If I am not mistaken (I could be) the positive side of the ignition coil gets voltage from two sources on that engine. The first one is from a connection from the starter solenoid that supplies straight battery voltage to the coil when you are cranking the engine. The second is thru the ignition switch and a resistor wire near the coil that supplies reduced battery voltage once the engine is running(when you let off of start). From your question, it sounds like the first is working, but the second isn't. Put a volt meter from engine ground to the positive terminal on the coil. With the key on (not in start)do you have voltage there ? If not, you will have to trace the wire back and find the resistor wire. Hopefully someone can post a wiring diagram of your engine.

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: OMC 4.3L won't stay started

If the engine starts but dies as soon as you release the key from the "start" position, check your lanyard switch. As waterone stated there is a start and run circuit in the ignition. The run circuit goes through lanyard switch, that’s how it kills the engine when pulled.

 

[weslacey]

Re: OMC 4.3L won't stay started

waterone1- you were exactly right. If i run a wire from the battery to the ignition coil, boat runs great.I traced the faulty wire from the ignition coil back to the alternator. Here's my issues now- this same wire has no voltage coming out of the alternator. Do i need a new alternator? I also screwed something else up. As I was digging around near the alternator with a screwdriver, I hit the positive terminal on the alt. with the screwdriver. BIG spark! Now NOTHING works. I stick the key in and turn it and nothing happens, no gauges, no lights, NOTHING. Did i blow a fuse somewhere near the engine? Or did i fry the alt.???? HELP!

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: OMC 4.3L won't stay started

Does your trim still work? The Cobra's have a couple of big 50 amp fuses on top of the engine, one is for trim/tilt, the other one pretty much powers everything else engine related and then there is a 20 amp fuse further downstream in the ignition circuit usually under the dash. Normally these fuses wpould not cause your lights to fail, what about your blower or horn? Maybe you have a fuse by your battery switch that blew? Need to get a meter and start checking.