SeaRay Emerency Switch Operation Question

t2626mb

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Joined
Dec 29, 2004
RO Number
15968
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42
Have a 95 37' Sundancer with Merc. 454. Port engine is completely dead. But when I hit the emergency switch to start port engine, it starts right away, but dies as soon as I let up on the switch. Anyone know about how this switch operates the engines? I load tested battery and it seems OK.
 
My 84 454's did that, happened when the shunt resistor was bad. It is by-passed when starting. Mine were down on the terminal board by the coil. They make using a 6 volt coil possible. I replaced the system with electronic ignition, they use a 12 volt coil.
 
It's either in the starter solenoid or ignition switch at the dash. Look for bad connections first at the solenoids and ign switch.

The starting circuit has it's own ignition circuit that allows the engine to start but disconnects as soon an the starting circuit is turned off (at ignition switch). When you let go of the starting circuit at the switch(key), the ignition circuit is then engaged. that's the 'RUN' or 'IGN' connection at the switch. The starting circuit says 'ST' but you don't have to worry about that circuit
 
Check the resistor first if it is not electronic ignition. It should look burnt, my did.
 
The emergency start just combines the two engines' electrical systems momentarily in case one has a weak or dead battery. This combining usually happens on the load side of the battery switches. If releasing the switch causes the engine with the suspect battery to die, then there is insufficient power left to keep the engine running. A very bad battery can cause this, although the OP has tested the batteries. The issue then is probably between the battery and the combiner relay. A bad battery switch or battery cable, pos or neg, is probably the culprit.
 
Without a battery connected to the engine .it wont run.Loose ,corroded battery cable connections,especially the neg engine block one.
a bar/internally corroded battery cable.If your system uses the 90A fuse link at the starter, check that for continuity.
Can also check for 12v at the orange output wire of the alt. No voltage can be a sign the 90A link is blown.
 
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