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]

Originally Posted by spareparts

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]

Originally Posted by 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

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]

Originally Posted by jjuriga

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