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  #1   IP: 23.115.191.11
Old 07-27-2018, 06:37 PM
Golfdad75 Golfdad75 is offline
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Battery switch or keyed ignition switch

Today as usual boat started fine, went thirty minutes out in the bay shut it off. Spent around two hours in great conditions. Storm coming up so I tried to start the engine. As usual nothing, went below to flip battery switch ( this always works) but now nothing. Flip back and forth nothing. Check battteries both fine. Got juice to the ignition switch, still nothing. this consistently happens but only after an hour or two of sailing. For instance it never fails in the marina, if I go to fuel dock it will start up. Only after it sits for an hour or so do I have a problem. Today it finally started after an hour of panicking( bad storm coming up).
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  #2   IP: 24.152.132.140
Old 07-27-2018, 09:54 PM
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  • Is the engine cranking but not starting when you turn the key or dead silent?
  • How did you determine "Got juice to the ignition switch"?
  • What brand and model of boat?
This should be easy to trace down in a matter of minutes during a failure episode with a volt meter in hand.
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1977 Catalina 30
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prior boats 1987 Westsail 32, 1970 Catalina 22
Had my hands in a few others
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  #3   IP: 23.115.191.11
Old 07-27-2018, 10:39 PM
Golfdad75 Golfdad75 is offline
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When I turned the key I got silence, I had a multimeter on the switch. I have a 79 Columbia 8.7
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Old 07-27-2018, 10:49 PM
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OK, first things first. Same test except put the test leads between ground and the S terminal on the keyswitch instead of the I and turn the key to Start. 12V yes or no?

No = bad keyswitch
Yes = repeat the test with the tester on the starter solenoid small post with the white wire attached. 12V yes or no?

No = wiring harness issue
Yes = bad ground to engine or bad starter solenoid

On principle all battery cables should be tightened at both ends, positives and negatives. Pay special attention to the battery switch. The mention that manipulating it remedied the problem previously suggests a loose connection there.
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1977 Catalina 30
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prior boats 1987 Westsail 32, 1970 Catalina 22
Had my hands in a few others

Last edited by ndutton; 07-27-2018 at 10:52 PM.
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  #5   IP: 98.209.31.214
Old 08-01-2018, 05:40 PM
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Quote:
happens but only after an hour or two of sailing
This is another piece of evidence that the battery switch has something loose.
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