Volvo penta sx 4.3 in 1997 four winns starting issues horizon

[Four Winn Keith]

Hey guys new to the forum. Got a new to me used boat. Marina spent a day going over it, said everything was good. I watched them test drive looked great. Brought it home. One month later went to get it ready for an outing and tried starting it with the muffs. Now this boat is new to me so don't know the starting procedure. So, I, 1. Started blower, 2. Pushed in the neutral button and pushed shifter all the way forward then into what I think is fast idol position( half way back there is a click) then tried to start. I got nothing at all in the fast idol position. Now if I return to shift position neutral and the button pops out it will attempt to start.. But, if I pushed it kills because it's not in neutral. So when I get it goin a bit after pumping before start, I have to quickly push button in then put it to fast idol position. If I pull it back to neutral after a few seconds it does... So here's the question.... I was told it needs to start in fast idol position then pull it back to neutral after a few seconds. Is that right ? And if it is why doesn't it do anything when you turn the key in fast idol position? If not does it seem right to start it then extremely quickly push the butting and throttle to fast idol. I think the problem is it not starting with the shifter in fast idol position with the button pushed. Also, when you push the button with the engine off it is a little hard to push the throttle out of the neutral position... Please help!

 

[rkilpa]

I have the same year 4.3 GL motor. The throttle lever has a neutral safety switch built in to prevent the motor from starting while in gear. After pushing the button in and moving the throttle forward while in neutral, if you get no activity whatsoever when turning the key (no clicks, no crank, no nothing) you probably have a failing safety switch.

I personally have to move my throttle back and forth a couple of times (wiggle) in order for the neutral safety switch to work and allow me to start. The first cold start requires some throttle to keep it running. After warm up, you can usually start in the neutral position without moving the throttle forward.

I have not replaced my switch. It's something I've lived with for about 10 years. I don't know if it is coincidence, but I improved the performance of the switch after overly tightening the Phillips screw that is next to the throttle. Tightening this screw might have pulled the throttle assembly halves together closer and given me better electrical connections.

 

[Four Winn Keith]

Thanks for the info. I'll try playing with the shifter. Most likely I bring it by the marina and have them do what they have to. Starting it the other way was a little tricky( flooded it a couple times). Don't want to be the guy holding up the boat ramp lol

 

[penske]

Hi: Have a 1998 four winns with same engine and set-up. Have identical situation and been living with it for 4 years. Got to wiggle the throttle to get it going. Always starts. Just part of the how the throttle assembly works on these older boats. Pumping the throttle on cold starts just once or maybe twice and returning to neutral gets it running then I push the button and give it a tad of throttle to get'r warmed up.

Love the boat and the engine is a good strong one and will last for many more years.

Love Lake Norman in NC

Nascar Country

 

[bruceb58]

Buy a new console shifter. I had one of those and that was also a problem. You don't want to get stuck on the water an not be able to start your engine. They reall are lousy shifters as well. My new Volvo one works 10 times better. You likely have one of the holdover ones for the OMC joint venture days.