Electrical problem shutting engine down???

[jun26angel]

I have a 2000 model 21 V Limited. I had a problem this weekend where after about 10-15 minutes of use while at about 20 mph the engine just died. Just before the engine died all guages went to max pointer positions, Tach, speedometer, volt meter, trim ind, gas, etc... It would start again and run maybe one to three minutes then the same thing would happen again at any speed or RPM's. I checked every wire I could find looking for a loose connection to no avail.

This happended last year one weekend two different times, I had a Tige dealership try to find the problem, but it would never repeat until this past weekend. It has worked great from last summer until now. After we were towed from the middle of the lake to the marina, I started it and drove it on the trailer as if it was working perfectly. I do not know how long it would have continued to run, but I would really like some suggestions from anyone that may know what is causing this problem.

Thanks

[dogbert]

Re: Electrical problem shutting engine down???

Originally posted by jun26angel
I have a 2000 model 21 V Limited. I had a problem this weekend where after about 10-15 minutes of use while at about 20 mph the engine just died. Just before the engine died all guages went to max pointer positions, Tach, speedometer, volt meter, trim ind, gas, etc... It would start again and run maybe one to three minutes then the same thing would happen again at any speed or RPM's. I checked every wire I could find looking for a loose connection to no avail.

Sounds like you have a short somewhere. How many batteries do you have and how old are they?

[jun26angel]

I only have one battery on the boat. I installed a new Red Top Optima battery in May 2006. Last summer when the problem occurred I also had the same type battery installed that was about 2 years old at the time.

[chpthril]

Are your batteries going bad, or are you replacing then just to be safe?

[jun26angel]

The battery died over the winter season. According to the Optima dealer it had a bad cell. It has plenty of power when starting each time I turn the key on. The volt meter is registering normal. When the problem first occurred, the battery was only a month or two old. It has been working great since, although we have not used it much this year, we have been playing on the jet skis more this summer.

I am nervous about taking it out again as I do not know how long it will run before this happens again.

[tobo57]

If your engine is wired like mine[03,315hp,mpi merc] the first thing I'd do ck. main wireing harness at rear of moter.Take clamp loose and pull apart,spread prongs,spray with elec. cleaner and put back together.

[jun26angel]

Thanks for the advice. I will check this out this weekend when we go to the lake house again, although until I find a confirmed fix I will not be venturing out very far. It's tough to paddle a 21' V, unfortunately we had to try last weekend. With most of the fair weather boaters off the lake for the season, there are not as many people to help out when we are just floating down stream.

Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I plan on trying everything I can (or anyone else can think of) this weekend.

Thanks

[Tip]

I had the same problem with my 2003 22v, it ended up being a short in the main wire harness. Just like you, I had to get towed a couple of times, and then to the dealer a couple of times before my dealer finally got her fixed.

Like Tobo57 I also have the Merc 315 MPI.

[jun26angel]

Well, I checked the main electrical plug. I spread the prongs apart slightly, sprayed with contact cleaner and put it back together. I also checked every other wire connector, cleaned with contact cleaner where possible and the same thing has happended again.

I NEED HELP PLEASE!!!

Thanks

[FIC]

I would suggest you hook up a volt meter to power lead off of your key switch and see if you loose power when the engine dies. If you call me I can give you some other Ideas, 1 888 517 3178 Dom@ Fortes Inboard Connection