Tdub Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 I need some help from good old Ball of Spray. Boat ran great a few days ago. Went out tonight. 84 degrees and flat. Nice September night in Northern Ohio. Dropped the boat in, pushed the start button...hmmm. Did not hear the fuel pump prime. Nothing. Excalibur engine turned over but no go. I assume it is the high pressure fuel pump? Could it be a fuse? Can a pump go bad that quick? The pump is next to the fuel canister on the starboard side right? So...what next? I am somewhat mechanical, can I replace it without too much hassle? Any and all help will be greatly appreciated. Come on BOS! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Drago Posted September 14, 2016 Baller Share Posted September 14, 2016 Turned over, as in firing for a few seconds? @Tdub ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tdub Posted September 14, 2016 Author Share Posted September 14, 2016 Did not fire at all @Drago Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Drago Posted September 14, 2016 Baller Share Posted September 14, 2016 Hmm, not sure I would go that deep yet (HP pump), .probably would turn over (fire), just not long. @Jody_Seal ? Start with simple obvious...got gas? In neutral, stuff like that. Emergency shut off? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tdub Posted September 14, 2016 Author Share Posted September 14, 2016 Thanks @Drago I will check in the morning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tdub Posted September 14, 2016 Author Share Posted September 14, 2016 I was just messing with it and it sounds like the click, click of the high pressure pump is working. I will hook up a garden hose tomorrow and see if it fires up. Emergency shut off? Maybe it is something stupid that I did. We'll see in the A.M. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller keithh2oskier Posted September 14, 2016 Baller Share Posted September 14, 2016 Kill switch? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller rodltg2 Posted September 14, 2016 Baller Share Posted September 14, 2016 Maybe relays ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Monkstr6100 Posted September 14, 2016 Baller Share Posted September 14, 2016 check the fuse first. Or at least put a volt meter or test light to the pump terminals and verify you ARE getting power when it makes that click that you think your hearing. Also, hook up a fuel pressure gauge and check for pressure, and also bleed off the pressure. If you have no gauge then you CAN just push in the shrader valve and bleed it off. Had a buddies mastercraft that would vapor lock, and then the fuel pump would not cycle cause it already sensed to high of pressure, bleed off and boom, it would start. Not very likely but still possible. Whatever you do, don't just start throwing parts at it cause "my buddy Jimbo replaced this and it fixed it". Diagnose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller buoyboy1 Posted September 14, 2016 Baller Share Posted September 14, 2016 I had the same thing happen to my 2005 196 last summer and it was the kill switch. Even though the kill switch clip looked connected, I pulled it out and pushed it back in a couple of times and it worked. I think the plastic clip warped a little for being in the sun over the years and just did not keep the switch fully engaged. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller LeonL Posted September 14, 2016 Baller Share Posted September 14, 2016 He said in the first post "it turned over". Won't crank if kill switch problem. Now long since previous start? Should have had residual pressure enough to at least start. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller h2onhk Posted September 14, 2016 Baller Share Posted September 14, 2016 Had the same issue early this summer. Definitely check the kill switch. With kill switch out the fuel pump will not prime. My 2007 will turn over and crank and crank and crank with the kill switch out. just won't fire due to no fuel or fuel pressure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tdub Posted September 14, 2016 Author Share Posted September 14, 2016 Thanks so much for all the feedback. Looks like it might rain here shortly so I can't pull the boat out of the garage to try to start it. As soon as I can I will report back. Thanks again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller keithh2oskier Posted September 14, 2016 Baller Share Posted September 14, 2016 @LeonL this happens all the time in my 196 because I have a toddler who is always sitting in the drivers seat grabbing at things. The boat will try and crank over but essentially not fire. It doesnt take much for the kill switch to behave this way as @h2o.nhk mentioned. Many people just bypass it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller JAG Posted September 14, 2016 Baller Share Posted September 14, 2016 pull the fuel filter (fuel control cell) and check the quick connections to the fuel pump. Mine were loose on my 2002 PCM motor (MB Sports 190) and had the same problem. Re-crimped and no problems since. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tdub Posted September 14, 2016 Author Share Posted September 14, 2016 Learn something new everyday! It WAS the kill switch. The motor will turn over but will not fire if the kill switch is loose. I jiggled the switch and it fired right up. Pulled the switch and the motor cranked but would not start. Thanks to all. Problem solved. But, this made me think I should do a little preventative maintenance on the fuel system. Any suggestions? I change the oil every 50 hours but have never messed with the fuel system. Where is the filter? And, I'm not sure where the high pressure and low pressure pumps are located. Should I bleed the fuel cell? Feeling kinda ignorant at this point. Anyway, thanks for the advice. Up and running again. Cheers. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tdub Posted September 14, 2016 Author Share Posted September 14, 2016 Thanks to @Horton for this site and to all who make it possible by engaging. Worth its' wait in gold. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller MillerTime38 Posted September 14, 2016 Baller Share Posted September 14, 2016 @Tdub the fuel filter is located in the black cylinder above your fuel pump. It can be tough to get off but a large pipe wrench should give you the leverage you need to turn it off. Fuel filter can be tough to get out, take out the plug on the bottom of the fuel cell canister and push it out with a small screwdriver. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller A_B Posted September 14, 2016 Baller Share Posted September 14, 2016 That black cylinder is called the FCC for Fuel Control Cell or some such. The high pressure fuel pump hangs from the top and the fuel filter is at the bottom. I use some gasket material or put something between the pipe wrench and the metal, or it will get chewed up a little. The factories crank them on pretty good. When I went through my problems, I learned that the main function of the kill switch was to shutoff gas flow, as well cut the motor. The starter is on a different system, so it will turn over. The second most common issue are the two relay fuses on the back on the motor. I was told every PCM GT40 owner should carry spares, as they go out that frequently. I doubt many boaters replace the filter until they have issues. I know I didn't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Fast351 Posted September 14, 2016 Baller Share Posted September 14, 2016 Yeah kill switch, despite what most people think, simply kills the ignition. It'll still crank. Although that might depend on the year of the boat. I can see some newer engine management systems that might be smart enough not to let the boat crank. My favorite is having the boat a 1/4" out of neutral. That always gets my heart pounding until I think to check that (that one does stop the cranking of the engine though). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller keithh2oskier Posted September 14, 2016 Baller Share Posted September 14, 2016 @tdub if you want you can by-pass the kill switch by simply removing the two wires that plug into the back and connecting them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller wolfgang Posted September 14, 2016 Baller Share Posted September 14, 2016 I had the same problem with our 2004 LXI. I "hot wired " the kill switch , problem solved. I think the corrosion and heat finally got to the switch and rendered it in operative. I don't expect to get thrown from the boat anytime soon so there's very little risk to taking the switch out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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