DEAD IN THE WATER-Stalled after forward shift- now won't crank at all!

[MJM]

Just charged batteries; had all power working. Started motor, (after a few key turns with no cranking). Warmed up a few minutes, backed out into harbor, shifted into forward and lurched a few feet forward,then motor died abruptly. After that, no more cranking, dead in the water. Tried waiting, running bilge pump and blower. No water in bilge. Kill switch not tripped. Plenty of gas.

Had to be pulled back into well by helpers on dock. Had boat 1 week. Been out twice before with no issues. Still have all systems with power, including outdrive trim. Turning key sets off shrill alarm, but no cranking. Neighbor said loose wire from battery to engine, or stuck starter motor. HELP!

1995 250 Sundancer w\Mercruiser 5.7 350 engine and Bravo 1 outdrive.

Thanks!!

 

[blaster]

Did you check the main breaker?

Just re-read your post. Probably not main breaker if you have power and alarm. Other than the alarm does anything else happen when you try to start? Click, or any noise? Have you removed any spark plugs? Might check for water intrusion. Is the oil normal looking?

 

[MJM]

Thanks for the reply! Only alarm when I turn key now. No cranking. Started fine 5 minutes before stalling. Oil was checked a week ago and looked fine. Haven't removed any plugs.
Doing research I have discovered it could be a sticky\stuck shift interrupt switch. I wonder if that is what is killing the ability to restart.

 

[Westie]

don't want to insult you but are you sure its in neutral when you try to restart. SOmetimes you have to jiggle the shift lever a bit to get the neutral shift switch to work.
If it was the shift interrupt switch you would still be able to turn the engine over, it just wouldn't start.

 

[fwebster]

A bad neutral safety switch is where I would start………….

 

[eagleone]

Check your little wire to starter seloind mine was loose and it wouldn't turn over. I just stopped to get gas. Good luck

 

[MJM]

Thanks very much for all the feedback! Here is what I learned today in 2 hours:

-Could not locate a neutral safety switch. Was not where it should have been according to online research and images (looking near black casting on left side of picture by shift cables). Thinking it is not present.

-All wires to battery and starter solenoid are clean and tight.

-Manipulated shift linkage repeatedly, and did not see any obvious issues.

-When turning key, get one click (sounds like coming from back by distributor\solenoid) and shrill alarm, then another click turning key back. No engine cranking.

-All other power on boat works.

Thinking it is the starter solenoid; still can't figure out why it died when shifting into forward.

Thanks again!

 

[Creekwood]

I had a very similar issue with my last boat, with a Mercruiser 5.7 bravo. I was idling out of a cove and the engine kind of stalled with a "clunk". When I went to restart, it was a hard clunk and no turnover. Like the starter was seized. Turned out to be hydro-locked from water injection. What happened was caused by a slightly corroded ignition wire that caused the engine to backfire and briefly run in reverse, sucking water back in the exhaust. (flappers in manifolds were also missing, allowing the full load of water in). The fix was to replace the small wire, oil change, and repair the starter that was damaged with the start against the hydro-locked engine.

SO my guess is that your engine stalled on shift (the shift interrupter does that by design), but then your engine kicked back in reverse and ingested water. Luckily you are in fresh water too, so you have a bit more time to check for water in the block. But not too much time so do it soon.

 

[MJM]

NEW DEVELOPMENT! Bypassed slave solenoid and motor started cranking, but didn't turn over. After stopping cranking, motor is hissing for about 10 seconds. No steam, smoke, etc. just hissing. Any ideas?

 

[Quint4]

Try turning it over with the spark plugs out.....make sure you label all plug wires.....looking for possible water in cylinders to be ejected.

 

[BillK2632]

Are you confusing the neutral safety switch with the shift interrupt?

Neutral safety switch itch is on all boats and prevents it from starting in gear.

Shift interrupt is only on mercruiser alpha drives. Causes engine to stumble when shifting out of F or R to neutral by grounding the ignition. Otherwise the dog style gears would not disengage easily.

 

[MJM]

Mechanic said I don't have an interrupt, as I have a Bravo. I'm just trying to figure out the hissing now, and why it won't start. At least I can replace the slave solenoid and it will crank!

 

[CliffA]

NEW DEVELOPMENT! Bypassed slave solenoid and motor started cranking, but didn't turn over. After stopping cranking, motor is hissing for about 10 seconds. No steam, smoke, etc. just hissing. Any ideas?

blown head gasket?.....cracked head?

cliff

 

[MJM]

SOLVED! DEAD IN THE WATER-Stalled after forward shift- now won't crank at all!

Got her running! It was the slave solenoid. New one was $20. Started immediately after I replaced it. Replaced air filter cover and hissing has stopped after turning off motor. I asked a tech about the stall during forward shift, and he said it probably needed to warm up more.

Thanks very much to all who replied!

MJM

 

[CliffA]

Re: SOLVED! DEAD IN THE WATER-Stalled after forward shift- now won't crank at all!

deleted

 

[blaster]

Re: SOLVED! DEAD IN THE WATER-Stalled after forward shift- now won't crank at all!

Replaced air filter cover and hissing has stopped after turning off motor.

MJM

You do realize that the cover you refer to is a backfire flame arrester, and is required by law. What did you replace it with?