Wont start

[yellowcorvette]

I have a 2006 Seaswirl 190 with a Volvo Penta 4.3 GXI. Earlier in the summer I attempted to start the motor and when I turned the key to the on position i didnt hear any clicks, alarms nor did my gauges energize. I assumed my battery was low because it had been about 3 weeks since the boat had been used so I connected a trickle charger to the battery. The next day I checked and when I turned the key to run position all was normal. (clicks alarms and gauges working) Yesterday I went to start the motor to winterize and again nothing happened when turning the key on. I connected the charger as before but today still nothing. I checked the battery voltage and I have 13.1 volts at the battery. I made sure the shifter was in nuetral and the safety switch was depressed. I removed the ignition switch and noticed the red/purple wire was loose so I tightened it but still nothing. I checked the voltage on that wire with the key off and it showed 9.5. When I turn the key to the run position it shows 0 volts. When I turn switch to the start position I get a 0 voltage reading on the yellow/red wire. Same 0 reading on the purple wire in all switch positions. I have cleaned the neg terminal at the battery and checked the plug connections under the dash to insure they were not loose. What would be my next thing to check? Does it sound like the switch is the problem? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[skydiveD30571]

Re: Wont start

I'm not sure why you would be getting only 9.5 volts at the switch, but if you're getting 0 volts on the other terminals no matter the key position, it sounds like its time for a replacement ignition switch. I have an 07 seaswirl 210 and had to replace my switch too. I wonder if theres something to them.

 

[Don S]

Re: Wont start

Are all the battery cables clean and tight? Both ends of each cable and both positive and negative cables. Or you could have a bad connection some where.

When you tested the voltage at the ignition switch, did you check with the the negative lead of your DVM on a good ground?

 

[yellowcorvette]

Re: Wont start

Well it was bugging me that I only had 9 v or so at the switch. I attached a ground wire on the neg terminal and my meter attached to the other end to insure I had a good ground to take my measurements.9 v was correct even with a good ground. I again took off the pos and neg terminals and made sure they were clean and tight. I have one large red cable going directly to the starter, one smaller red wire with an inline fuse and a brown wire with an inline fuse. I checked the voltage at those fuses and both had 13.1. Both the red and the brown wires went into a piece of conduit and couldnt tell where they went. I kept looking for a fuse block and found one under the air breather cover on top of the engine. I pulled two of the fuses one labled ignition and one labled starter sw. Both were good and neither looked corroded. I then checked my switch and every thing works and I had 13 v at the switch. Not sure what I did but I will know were to check if it happens again. I am thinking the smaller red wire goes up to the front fuse block under the dash does the brown wire go to the fuse block on the engine? I was unable to tell the color of the wire going into the fuse block. Thanks

 

[Don S]

Re: Wont start

You just had a weak connection somewhere. Pulling fuses, relays, connection, etc. and putting them back can cure problems. Temporarily so just be aware and maybe go back and re-check everything.