Engine wont start all the sudden

[jjuriga]

I just got done doing up a new dashboard and this morning put it all back together... then went to start it up. Now it will not start, last time it was fired up was about a week ago. That being said, the dashboard got an overhaul, not the side panel with the ignition, so that was never touched. I have an I/O Merc, or a Chevy 305, depending how you look at it.

I checked and there is half a tank of gas in it - also tried spraying starter fluid in the carb (not too much, I've done it before). Nothing. At first, I thought I may have flooded it because I always have to pump the gas to much to start it... so I waited a half hour and came back to the same thing. It turns over just fine, but never catches.

So, that being said... anyone have an obvious thing that a newbie like me is missing or doesn't know, before really getting into this? Is there something I could have messed up when up in the dash (I wouldn't think so)?

Thanks in advance!

[spareparts]

do the guages move when you turn the key on? Check for power on the purple wire. Do you have a kill switch?

[jjuriga]

do the guages move when you turn the key on? Check for power on the purple wire. Do you have a kill switch?

Yes, the gauges work/move... which purple wire? I ask because there is a bunch. Do you mean the main one leading to the gauges?

No kill switch that i know of.

[spareparts]

purple is key on power, see if you can find the one going in the main harness to the engine, it may have been conected on one of the gauges, look for the engine harness, it should be sepaerate from thr boat harness

[jjuriga]

purple is key on power, see if you can find the one going in the main harness to the engine, it may have been conected on one of the gauges, look for the engine harness, it should be sepaerate from thr boat harness

Maybe a dumb question... if there was no power, would the engine turn over? Because it is turning over...

In any event, Ill look tomorrow morning! Thanks!

[Destroyer]

Maybe a dumb question... if there was no power, would the engine turn over? Because it is turning over...

In any event, Ill look tomorrow morning! Thanks!

Turning the key to the first position (Run) energizes the power to the run circuit to the engine. Turning the key to the second position (Start) energizes power to the starter solenoid, that then pulls in the contacts sending power to the starter motor. The two circuits, although run off the same key, are actually different and yes, the engine can turn over without starting.

[spareparts]

turning over supplies power to the yellow/red wire, red is constant power from the battery

[steplift20]

First I would listen to the heavy hitters here they know there stuff , but sometimes you need an outsider, first I wouldn't get to complicated ,what I would do is
Hit it with starter fluid, whitch you did and it did not start Ok next
Check for spark, do you have it? I don't think you do
If you don't since it's an inboard , check or replace the module on the distributor
3 things you need Air Spark Gas And power to turn the motor
You got air?
You got gas going to the engine? Could be a bad fuel pump
You know you have power
Spark , Check that
Good luck
One other thing Destroyer knows his stuff

[steplift20]

Sorry spare parts I didn't mention you my mistake Spare knows his **** to

[Destroyer]

One other thing, Destroyer knows his stuff

Thank you for the qudos Steplift, but my knowledge pales in comparison to SpareParts and TheFermanator. In fact, they are the ones I go to when I need an answer. They're the *real* heavy hitters... I'm just Junior Varsity compared to them.

[THEFERMANATOR]

Engines are pretty simple. They need fuel, spark, and compression. If you have all 3, it should run barring that they are all happening in the right order. 1st order of business is to check for spark since you've already tried starting fluid. Just going to have to work at it 1 step at a time.

[jjuriga]

Well, I posted this problem and went on a quick working vaca to upstate NY. I'm back, and it was bothering me yesterday - it ended up being the purple wire running from the ignition to the engine. Power for the starter was fine. Unhook the purple wire, hook up a bypass to the engine and bam, started nicely. Now to rewire the new purple wire...

[Destroyer]

Glad you got it figured out. Congrats!!! :clap: