Engine will not turn over

[kci5477]

Hi,
I have a 1995 Sea Ray 180 with a 4.3L Alpha 1 Gen 2.
I had an alarm going off under the dash that would not stop. I checked a ton of things at the engine to see what might be making the alarm not turn off while the engine was running. Today we idled out a few hundred yard and turn off the engine to swim. Engine would not even turn over. The solenoid on the top the engine click. This is where the 50 amp push fuse is. I then went to the solenoid at the starter and jumped the connections the engine would not turn over. I am able to turn over the engine fly wheel buy hand. The engine is oil is full. But then I noticed that the Gear Lube oil container at the top of the engine was empty. Was that the warning signal I was hearing? I filled with gear lube and the engine still will not turn over. I can raise and lower the outdrive with no problems and it even goes into trailer position. When I turn the prop with it in gear there is a clunking noise in the outdrive. Is the outdrive froze up? What else do I need to be looking at as to why the engine will not even turn over. When you turn the key you hear clicking at the 50 amp breaker at the top of the engine but nothing else. I have 12.8 volts at the batter and when you turn the key the voltage barely drops. I would expect it to drop a lot when the starter try's to engage. Also I has the Alpha 1 outdrive serviced one year ago and all seals were replaced. We only put about 10 hours on it since. I hope someone can help me trouble shot this. Thank You, Kemper

 

[kci5477]

Got it running! It was the Gear Lube Reservoir sensor. Still not sure why I could not jump the solenoid at the starter to at least turn over the engine. All is well. Kemper

 

[Scott215]

There is a float switch in the oil reservoir

 

[scoflaw]

Low lube is not the reason for the no start. If you hear clicking on top it's more than likely the slave solonoid

 

[Lazy Daze]

Low lube is not the reason for the no start. If you hear clicking on top it's more than likely the slave solonoid

This. Gear lube has nothing to do with your issue. It may very well have been the reason for the alarm - as would oil psi or engine temp (and those sensors are independent of the gauges) - but it's not the reason for the engine not turning over. As noted, you've got a flaky slave solenoid or a starter.

The outdrive trimming up/down has nothing to with anything else.

Clicking while turning the prop one direction while in gear is normal.

I would suggest that until you fully understand the operation of all systems and how they are tied/not tied together... stop using the boat if you hear an alarm.

 

[Espos4]

No gear lube the boat will not start. There is a float switch in the oil reservoir

Your first sentence is simply not true.

 

[Scott215]

Thought it work turn not start with low reservoir

 

[Scott215]

That's how you learn