View Full Version : Help - my boat will not start
prostar205
06-13-2005, 01:10 AM
Hey guys -
I need some advice regarding a starting problem with my new boat. I have a 2002 X30 with the 8.1L.
Heres the problem. When I turn the key, the motor turns over and fires but when I return the key to the run position it just dies. I have been having problems where the fuel guage registers empty and I know there is 3/4 of a tank of gas in it. When this happen, I have to switch the battery switch of OFF and then turn it back to the ALL position and then the fuel guage will register FULL (however, it is only 3/4 full).
What is (are) my problems(s)? Ignition, ECM, Fuel Pump????
I need some advice.
Thanks
LakePirate
06-14-2005, 11:59 AM
It sounds electrical. I guess I really need to start playing on the newer engines.
pilot02
06-14-2005, 12:02 PM
Check your safety kill switch. My tristar did the exact same thing due to the button not being depressed completely.
JEREMY79
06-14-2005, 12:03 PM
I would look at the ingition switch or the wiring going to the starter. Maybe??
LakePirate
06-14-2005, 12:54 PM
I initially thought about the solenoid connections not being tight.
prostar205
06-15-2005, 04:07 PM
Where is the solenoid located?
AirJunky
06-15-2005, 04:11 PM
It's piggybacked on the starter. Follow the positive battery lead.
André
06-15-2005, 05:15 PM
Do you have power to the gauges at the "ON" position before you start ?
prostar205
06-15-2005, 05:20 PM
Yes, all the guages come up after the initialization of the computer. The fuel guage will come up some of the time, other times it will not come up. When it does not come up, I turn the battery switch off, wait a few seconds, then turn the battery switch back on. Now, the fuel guage will come up.
I can't wait for the dealer to call. They have had the boat since yesterday around noon.
prostar205
06-15-2005, 07:52 PM
Just got off the phone with the dealer. They started the boat on the hose and when they gave it gas, it would die (that's never happened to me). They put it on the computer and the IAC sensor was almost 100 points low - should have been 140-150, is reading around 60. They replaced the IAC sensor. The boat was left alone for a few hours and restarted. It did the same thing - it would die when given gas. They are now going to replace the map sensor.
The ECM tested just fine.
They are going to water test it tomorrow. I'm crossing my fingers that this fix will work.
Jerseydave
06-15-2005, 08:48 PM
Could be a bad TPS-throttle position sensor. It works like a reostat (sp?) or dimmer switch. That would be my guess anyway.
Keep us posted on the progress.
By the way, I think when you turn off the battery switch momentarily it clears the computer, which tells me it is an electrical problem.
Their scanner should be able to find it.
The computer does not clear codes when the key is off, just the data from the sensors that appears normal. There is a non-volatile memory that stores some data, like overheats, for 300 key on cycles. If the fuel pressure is normal and the injectors are capable of delivering adequate fuel, I would be looking at the MAP sensor, spark, etc. If the throttle is moved open and the fuel is disrupted, there is a problem. The TPS wasn't changed recently, was it?
FYI, the MAP sensor runs the show once the throttle is past 2%. The only thing the TPS does after that point is enrich/enlean the mixture during acceleration/deceleration throttle position changes of greater than 20%.
Re: the IAC, if the motor idles OK but kills when the throttle opens, it's not the IAC's fault. When the throttle is open, the IAC doesn't do anything other than follow the throttle to make sure the transition from one position to another is smooth.
erkoehler
06-15-2005, 09:01 PM
Can a MAP sensor be intermittent? Or is it a functioning or failing unit?
The MAP sensor acts as a vacuum gauge, telling the ECM what the load is. If you have a timing light, put it on the plug wires and see if any are cutting out. Did the dealer look at the spark plugs for deposits or excessive heat? If I remember, the motor you have has the coil-near-plug ignition system, right? Make sure the harnesses going to the coils and the plug wires are attached well. Otherwise, have the dealer call MC or Indmar technical for help. There may be technical bulletins for your motor. To answer your question, the MAP sensor can fail, but if it was bad, it would throw a code and they should have seen it when they did the diagnostics..
EngineNut- can you add anything here?
prostar205
06-17-2005, 02:40 PM
Update on boat -
The dealer replaced the IAC and it ran great on the trailer. They took it to the lake yesterday and it also ran great on the lake. They started and stopped it several times with no problems getting it restarted. That is where the good news ends.
As they are were motoring back to the launch, the Nyloc nut that holds the propeller shaft to the transmission coupler came off sending the prop / shaft assembly out the underside of the boat. Luckily (I guess) the prop hit the rudder and stopped putting a dinge in my rudder and bending the stainless steel prop pretty good.
The prop is at the prop shop getting fixed. They (the dealer) hopes to get it (the prop) back today and they will put it back together, water test it and hopefully I'll get it back today. The dealer has been great thru all of this. It certainly was not their fault the nut came off. They did not even work on the trasnmission or shaft.
Is there anything I need to be worried about? My first thought was the potential of the strut being bent.
Jerseydave
06-17-2005, 02:54 PM
Update on boat -
The dealer replaced the IAC and it ran great on the trailer. They took it to the lake yesterday and it also ran great on the lake. They started and stopped it several times with no problems getting it restarted. That is where the good news ends.
As they are were motoring back to the launch, the Nyloc nut that holds the propeller shaft to the transmission coupler came off sending the prop / shaft assembly out the underside of the boat. Luckily (I guess) the prop hit the rudder and stopped putting a dinge in my rudder and bending the stainless steel prop pretty good.
The prop is at the prop shop getting fixed. They (the dealer) hopes to get it (the prop) back today and they will put it back together, water test it and hopefully I'll get it back today. The dealer has been great thru all of this. It certainly was not their fault the nut came off. They did not even work on the trasnmission or shaft.
Is there anything I need to be worried about? My first thought was the potential of the strut being bent.
I'd worry more about the shaft being bent. Did the prop miss the gelcoat under the boat? (I hope so, for your sake!)
Make sure they check the engine alignment after re-assembly.
prostar205
06-17-2005, 03:00 PM
They tell me their is no gelcoat damage and they think the shaft was spared. They are going to put the reworked prop on today and water test the boat. We'll see then if the shaft is bent or not.
I am thinking of taking the rest of the day off and going with them on the test run.
André
06-17-2005, 05:59 PM
Strange story about the entire shaft assy sliding out...
Me think that they dinged the prop on water or while loading / unloading.
PS
Maybe we should ask Woody !
erkoehler
06-17-2005, 06:02 PM
How is it that you ding the prop loading and unloading? Just for my personal knowledge. You drive straight on and back off, what do you hit barring nothing on the bottom of the lake/ramp?
prostar205
06-17-2005, 06:09 PM
No, it was definately dinged when it hit the rudder while in the middle of the lake. They had to put another boat in the water to tow my boat back to shore and put it on the trailer.
André
06-17-2005, 06:17 PM
Just imagine everything that can go wrong at the ramp and you'll understand.
Wind ,waves,unexperience driver,stalled engine ,etc etc.
I read much more stories about bend props at the ramp then an entire drive shaft assy sliding out while towing!
Isn't there 4 bolts holding the couplings together ?
prostar205
06-17-2005, 06:21 PM
Andre -
That's what I thought also. I remember my '95 PS205 had 4 bolts holding the coupler together. This only has one Nyloc nut threaded to the end of the shaft. I think the 4 bolts you are referring to are the ones that hold the flange to the shaft.
André
06-17-2005, 06:31 PM
Forgot that you don't have a 205 anymore!!!
Sorry! Never saw a v-drive from close ...Allergies! LOL
Hope you're back on water soon!
You could mention the X-30 in your signature...
I saw Toy story about a zillion time.One of my top 3!!!
ski_king
06-17-2005, 06:38 PM
..........Sorry! Never saw a v-drive from close ...Allergies! LOL......
Just like flowered shorts?
..........I saw Toy story about a zillion time.One of my top 3!!!
And who was your favorite charater? Mr. Potatohead?
sorry for the hijack..... :wavey:
André
06-17-2005, 07:04 PM
Buzz Lightyear is actually my favorite but Prostar 205 had already taken it.
milkmania
06-17-2005, 11:52 PM
Just imagine everything that can go wrong at the ramp and you'll understand.
Wind ,waves,unexperience driver,stalled engine ,etc etc.
you left out those fricking fracking smokers!!!:rant:
I thought I was gonna have to take on the whole dozen of those idiots hotdoggin' around the loading ramp, but they finally clear out long enough to get loaded