#1
IP: 72.45.9.106
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Mysterious and immediate shut down
Good day everyone,
My otherwise fine running engine just stopped the the other day while at the slip getting ready to get underway. No spitter, spatter, sputter....just off. Turned the key off, checked for loose connections somewhere...all good. My old Palmer did this once and it was the coil ground where it passes through the distributor body....anyway this wire chaffed and shorted out on the distributor body. Checked this on the A4 and all good. Firm, clean connections everywhere. I then turned the key and it started right up as usual. My thought is....and my question to all of you...is could water in the ignition switch serve to turn the ignition off? It's been raining for a freakin month here and it is conceivable that some moisture got into the switch. If so....should a shot of electrical connection cleaner into the switch suffice? All ignition connections, grounds, coil wire, etc...very good. Thoughts? |
#2
IP: 184.0.17.96
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Two questions...
How long was it running before it shut down? How long a timeframe after the shutdown was it before it re-started?
__________________
-Jerry 'Lone Ranger' 1978 RANGER 30 |
#3
IP: 72.45.9.106
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I started it and ran it for probably 10 minutes before it shut down. It took another 10 minutes or so before I decided to just try and restart it.
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#4
IP: 184.0.17.96
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Well, it could be a "cold joint" in the ignition circuit.
Can we assume it didn't repeat? Here is a quote from Don about the "cold joint": To keep things simple, before chasing the entire primary circuit which runs from the large battery terminal on the starter solenoid, through the ignition switch and back to the positive terminal of the coil, 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 never shuts down as long as that jumper wire is installed, you will have confirmed that the primary ignition circuit has a cold joint in it someplace. If the shutdowns continue with the jumper wire installed, you can check the remaining short section of the primary circuit which is between the negative terminal of the coil and the points. Sometimes the conductor in this short wire develops a cold joint where is passes under the distributor cap or at the terminal of the coil or at the points themselves. IMPORTANT NOTE: Installing the jumper wire between the starter solenoid and the coil 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 willburn out the coil or kill the batteries.
__________________
-Jerry 'Lone Ranger' 1978 RANGER 30 |
#5
IP: 72.45.9.106
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Quote:
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#6
IP: 68.108.254.144
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While the engine is running shake the boat's ignition wiring and see if you get another shut down.
TRUR GRIT |
#7
IP: 24.152.132.65
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I recommend replacing the ignition switch on principle. It's not conclusive the switch is the problem but it:
__________________
Neil 1977 Catalina 30 San Pedro, California prior boats 1987 Westsail 32, 1970 Catalina 22 Had my hands in a few others |
The Following User Says Thank You to ndutton For This Useful Post: | ||
hanleyclifford (05-22-2016) |
#8
IP: 72.45.9.106
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Thanks for all this folks ! The Cole Hersee ignition switch was new last year. One of the first replacement items on this journey to revive this engine...as were most all ignition parts and wiring. I've checked all connections on the primary circuit and I do believe all is good. The shut down matter has not happened again. I do believe it's water intrusion into the switch that caused the immediate shut down. The switch is the one with the rubber cover and slot for the key. I think I'll give it a shot of electrical part cleaner and fashion a plexi cover or something over the engine panel.
Raining here on the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake again today !!!! Enough already !! |
#9
IP: 107.0.6.242
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Plexi cover good idea
Keep your power dry.
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#10
IP: 24.152.132.65
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Quote:
I would think the goal is a reliable system free from worry. Please, change the switch or better yet, reconfigure so the critical ignition switch is not subjected to water incursion. I went with a booted toggle ignition switch and a separate booted starter button under a spray shield.
__________________
Neil 1977 Catalina 30 San Pedro, California prior boats 1987 Westsail 32, 1970 Catalina 22 Had my hands in a few others Last edited by ndutton; 05-22-2016 at 12:05 PM. Reason: added quote, then added pictures |
#11
IP: 107.0.6.242
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Quote:
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