Started, but did I fix it???

Last week I got the boat ready for the upcoming year (’89 Sport). I tuned it up with a new distributor cap, points, rotor, condenser, hoses, impeller, changed the fluids, etc. Took it out for a spin, ran great.

My speedometer was not working, so I got under the dash to tinker with it. I don’t fit so good, so I decided to tackle it another day. Took the boat out, it ran great. Got back to the dock, loaded the family up for a ride and when I turned the key – nothing.

I had 12v at the battery and at one side of the starter relay. Turned the key to test the other side of the relay and got no voltage. Replaced the relay, but still nothing.

Figured I would check for voltage on the ignition switch…had voltage at Bat, Acc, St, but none at Ig post. Thought I should check for voltage at the Ig post while the key was turned (could be off base here), but before I could, I turned the key and if fired right up. Problem solved, or is it?

I am on some thin ice mechanically and way past my abilities, so please excuse any dumb questions. Could it have been as simple as a loose wire of bad connection on the ignition? That seems logical, but somehow I doubt the wiring is that fickle. This was the first and only time this happened, so I don’t know if it is fixed or if I just got lucky.

As always, everyone’s help is greatly appreciated!

Hey Link, very well could be a loose connection. Especially if you had been under the dash. Check the connections on the back of the ignition switch and your ground. Make sure they are secure.

Link,
Disconnect the power to the key switch and then take the Ohm meter to it. Wiggle the key in each position and see what the corresponding terminal reads. If there is a bad contact, it will show up in Ohms. Each should show a near zero reading.