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hgput17

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Heading down to the boat tomorrow (albeit on M-day) to see if I can't figure out why it won't run/start

Quick re-cap:
- Last weekend changed plugs, cap, and rotor - ran great for 5-10mins while in slip, then suddenly quit
- pulled several plugs to confirm they were still getting spark

Suspect fuel and will check:
- water in fuel
- fuel pump
- connections on starter solenoid
- connections on oil pressure sender

Anything else I should look for?
 
The solenoid and sender shouldn't be factors in your quits running scenario.

Fuel pressure if carburated (I can remember) is about the onl thing i would add to the initial list
 
If it turns out to be water you might have to pull the carb and clean it out real well. Also to determine if it is water you could hook a electric fuel pump tp it and then pump some out into a clear container.
crap from the tank.jpg Ask me how I found out the hard way, this is after the boat sat for 5 years as I worked on her. As you can see there was a bit of crap in the tank.
 
I always begin with a shot of starting fluid. If the engine kicks, it isn't electrical. If not, it is usually a fuel issue. I don't suppose this always works, but it always has for me.

CaboJohn
 
Today's update -

Checked water separator for water - none - re-installed
Disconnected fuel line and slid some hose over the end and into a container, hit the key, plenty of fuel.
Reconnected, started engine no problem. Ran her for a good long time at the dock, no problem. Purred like a kitten. Took her out, running about 3,000 rpms, about 2 miles out, engine dies, without even a sputter.
Disconnected the fuel line, re-attached the hose, turned her over - no fuel flow.
Checked the hot wire going into the pump (purple/red), nothing (I was temped to jump the hot from another source)
Ate lunch
Re-checked fuel pump hot wire - had juice
Re-connected fuel line and headed home (crossed fingers through the harbor channel)

At the dock, tried tracing the wire leading into the 10amp circuit breaker (purple/yellow), but it disappears into a harness.
I know there is a oil pressure switch for the fuel pump...looked for it, could not find it
So, something is happening where I'm getting intermittent elec power to the fuel pump.
Thoughts?

Truly appreciate the help

1995 Crusader 454XL
 
Would someone be able to give me a tip on where it is located? I found the other one (T-shaped) for the alarm and pressure gauge, but could not find the shut off one.

Also looking last night, a replacement sensor/shut-off switch is approx. $100?
 
shouldn't be that much (unless it is that limited use 3 wire version). look around the galley rails (right above the oil pan) close to the T shaped one you found. If it is that goofy 3-wire switch, go get a STANDARD PS-133 and a 3 wire replacement headlight (like for an old 6054 type lamp) connector. You can then cut the old pigtail off and make it up with the headlight connector to eliminate that cost issue forever. $15 vs $100+!

The other item to check is the fuel pump relay (if that year used one). they are also known to fail with no warning.
 
Thanks for the part numbers. Due to the extremely limited space and minimal access, I decided not to make things any tougher on myself and went with the OEM part.

Replaced the oil pressure shut off switch and ran the boat for a good 3 hours +/- with out any problems. Noticed when I removed the old sensor, the canister's connection to the brass fitting was lose, e.g. wobbly and able to rotate. Not sure if this is normal or not, or a contributing factor, but the new one was appeared to be one contiguous piece.

Thanks for everyone's input and insight.
 
Make sure the circuit breaker reset button is good. I had same problem would turn over but would not start, also no systems lights & alarm at helm. Pulled out the reset button bypassed the circuit breaker button with an in line fuse holder & fuse BINGO lights & alarm at helm engine started. '97 crusader 350 XLi series
 
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