Electrical Mess...

[h2osk8er00]

SO I have had two things go wrong with my boat as of late.

The first issue has to do with the ignition switch... The boat was turning on just fine but turning it off was not an option... I could turn it on and when I went to turn it off it just jept running... had to kill the bateries to get it to stop... then it started working after going out on the water for a while...

The second issue has to do with all of the switches not operating the proper equipment on the boat.. I was thinking maybe some of the contacts were wet or something but really have no idea...

Thx for the help everyone as usual... Hope you're all enjoying the last bit of summer!

[dom w. forte]

Check all your powers and grounds, not just at battery but power and ground bars also , sounds like its back feeding do to bad connection.

[h2osk8er00]

Check all your powers and grounds, not just at battery but power and ground bars also , sounds like its back feeding do to bad connection.

will do.. not sure where to start but i will start looking for split and loose wires....

[Mr144]

I'm having a similar problem with the ignition on my 2000 21v. I replaced the ignition thinking that was the problem...no dice. Turns on fine, turn the key off, keeps running. I have to kill it directly unplugging the fuel injectors. Checked the coil with the key off and no power at the coil. fire it up then turn the key off while it continues running and there is power at the coil until I kill it manually at the motor itself. Who knows. Whenever I figure mine out I will post up.

[R&T Babich]

... Checked the coil with the key off and no power at the coil. fire it up then turn the key off while it continues running and there is power at the coil until I kill it manually at the motor itself. ...

There is an ignition system relay that is triggered by the key switch to provide power to the coil and other things.
Either the 12v to the relay is somehow still getting to the relay or the relay contacts are sticking.

[Mr144]

There is an ignition system relay that is triggered by the key switch to provide power to the coil and other things.
Either the 12v to the relay is somehow still getting to the relay or the relay contacts are sticking.

Well, I wish I had checked back on here sooner, I'll check that tomorrow, thanks a bunch.

[davidwmayfield]

ignition questions

If you still need more ideas, purchase or refer to the book, "Powerboaters Guide to Electrical Systems" Second Edition, by Ed Sherman.
Chapter 7, "Maintaining Marine Ignition Systems" gives a good breakdown of ignition system parts. Page 12 talks about the "Engine Stop Control". Page 119 has a "Testing Your Stop
Switch" section.
Also discussed is the Ignition Control Module called the capacitive-discharge ignition,or (CDI Unit). This is a little black box that controls all the various functions of the ignition system.
Download (if you do not have) the parts manual from Mercury for your Engine model. Refer to the "Distributor and Ignition Components" page.
I have learned a ton from the above referenced book and my engine manual.
dwm