2003 X2 Engine cutting out

[dgravlin]

Earlier this year, I purchased a 2003 X2 with 200 hours. Everything is sweet except for the following... On most outings, this will occur - we launch and head out on the water. After 10-20 minutes of cruising, we reach our destination and slow to an idle. The engine shuts itself off. When you turn the key to restart, nothing happens. The "check engine" light does not come on and the perfect pass does not beep on (as it would even if the kill switch was out). The blower WILL turn on. After 5-10 minutes of sitting dead in the water, the problem goes away and all is working well. It usually only happens once on each outing and it usually occurs as described above. On a few occasions, we cruise out for awhile and then turn off the engine... and then it will not start up.

Something is causing the engine to shutdown and that same problem is shutting down the ignition/starting process. We've replaced the ignition switch to no avail. My local MC dealer is unable to diagnose the problem unless it occurs in his shop which, of course, it never does.

Any suggestions?

[Jerseydave]

Does engine crank but not start after it dies?
If so, could be bad fuel pump (common problem)

If engine does not crank, maybe check battery cable connections, battery, ground connections at engine block, main harness connector at engine, etc. You may want to replace your kill switch with a new one just for piece of mind.

Hopefully others will chime in with more ideas.

Welcome to team talk!

-Dave

[bigmac]

This doesn't sound like fuel pump failure to me because of the dead electrical system. It sounds more electrical -- a short, a bad ground, loose connection, or faulty breaker.

[dgravlin]

Thanks for the responses.

When the problem occurs, the engine will not crank at all. Definitely electrical, but it is so intermittent that my service shop can't fix it. The pattern is almost always the same - launch, starts fine, cruises fine for 10-20 minutes, then it shuts down while idling. When I try to restart, everything is dead - even when you just turn the ignition to "accessories" position, the check engine light does not light up (as it normally does) and the Perfect Pass does not beep alive (as it normally does). But, if you hit the Blower switch, it runs fine.

Then, after sitting dead in the water for 5-10 minutes, the problem goes away and it will start up. The rest of the day, it works fine - it usually only happens once each day we take the boat out.

Very frustrating.

[bigmac]

IIRC, there are two circuits, each with a battery connection. I think blower, bilge pumps, lighting are one circuit and primary circuit components are on another. Look for your main circuit breaker on the engine next time it dies and see if the button needs pushing.

[dgravlin]

Bigmac... thanks but I have checked the breakers - they are all fine.

[dgravlin]

anyone, anyone?

[endl]

What about Cam positioning sensors and Crank positioning sensors. Hopefully some of the more knolegeable engine guru's will comment. They should throw codes though which would show up.

I had a cam positioning sensor go out on my truck and that is how it acted.

[sand2snow22]

Is the throttle in neutral?

[JimN]

Have someone turn the key while you wiggle wires and cables. Or, you turn the key, etc. Wiggle the throttle and see if that helps. This includes the ignition and safety switches.