Related issues?

[Jimmy]

Do you think the following 3 issues are related?
1) Fuel gauge stopped working 5 weeks ago
2)Starting engine after sitting for a week, I need an excessive among of cranking. Sometimes more than 20 seconds. This has never happened before except with my coil issue last year. The beastie has always fired up within 1-2 seconds on cranking. This issue presented itself 3 weeks ago
3)Yesterday, for the first time I had to "fiddle " with the blower switch one time to get it working- simply pushed the switch in and out a couple times and then it started
-Ignition switch was replaced last year
- I've visually inspected the rear of the instrument panel- no loose, corroded, or damaged wires.
- I have traced (what I think are) are relevant grounds, and they check out
- instrument panel is exposed to the elements
3 separate issues, or is there a common element I'm not looking at....... Whatjathink ?

Cheers,
Jimmy

[Skywalker]

Hmm

Ignition switch powers up coil and gauges. I'd start there.

Chris

[roadnsky]

Visual inspection doesn't guarantee you don't have a broken or corroded wire.

To keep things simple, before chasing the entire primary circuit, you could simply connect a jumper wire from the large battery terminal on the starter solenoid to the positive terminal of the coil.
If the engine starts and runs better, you will have confirmed that the primary ignition circuit has a cold joint in it someplace.
In that case, I'd replace the entire wire run.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The jumper wire is the very same thing as turning on the ignition switch, so you cannot leave that wire installed except when running the engine or you will burn out the coil and/or kill the batteries.

Also, Points or EI?

[Jimmy]

Jerry / Roadnsky
Installed EI last year. Runs like a champ! It's the excessive cranking, in conjunction with the "dead" fuel gauge, and spotty blower performance that makes wonder why all at the same time.

When she starts, she runs great....but still no reading on the fuel gauge.

It's not so serious that I doubt my ability to start it on demand....just want to get ahead of what appears to be a cascading issue(s)

Could a weak or temperamental primary ignition circuit present all 3 issues?

I was wondering if the ignition switch would be put forward. Again, a new switch, however if one terminal was responsible to conduct current to the fuel gauge, how would that effect my blower, as it operates independently of the if ignition needing to be energized?

After reading my response above I'm leaning towards a couple different issues presenting themselves , one after another.......

Thanks for any input.... It is appreciated

Cheers,
Jimmy

[Sony2000]

Check you have current going to the fuel tank sending unit with a tester wire on the sender and the other wire to a ground.
Could be time to change the blower switch.
For the heck of it, drain the carb bowl into a small cup, to see if is clean of debris.

[Dave Neptune]

With such low pressure the gage could just be "sticking", try flicking it with your finger when running.

Dave Neptune

[Jimmy]

Thanks for the feedback.
I'm planning a return trip on Wednesday evening, and ill post my findings

Cheers
Jimmy

[Jimmy]

In no peticular order....
1)starting issue was remedied by playing with the choke cable. Bracket had loosened of to the point that pulling the choke out moved entire cable, not the internal wire
2) couldn't reproduce the blower scenario. Still time to replace the switch soon.
3) flicked the fuel gauge so hard & often I blackened my fingernail

Ultimately sooooo pleased with 1 & 2. , I just filled the tank to the very top and spent the next few days sailing, coming and going , trouble free

It's such a great feeling have the beastie just start on demand, I can leave the gauge issue for later......really don't know what I would do if I didn't have a list of boat projects on the go.

Cheers,
Jimmy