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1973 Ski Nautique Ignition problem |
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Ski-licious73 
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Joined: August-05-2014 Location: Daytona Beach Status: Offline Points: 12 |
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 Topic: 1973 Ski Nautique Ignition problemPosted: August-10-2014 at 1:31pm |
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Hello all, new boater here with limited knowledge. Just got the boat out of storage, put in a new flush pro, hooked up the water and the beast started right up. Second time trying to start, sparks came out the keyed ignition switch and nothing electrical worked after that. Thought I fried the battery because when I hooked up the truck and jumpers, the bilge, running lights, stereo etc would come on. Bought a new starting battery yesterday (845 MCA) thinking it would fix my issue. Went to start it after install and still wont start. I get the audio beep when turning key to run? but then when I turn it to start I get a spark at the positive lead and no start. Trying to describe it as best I can but any ideas? Maybe bad ignition switch due to previous sparks? Boat is in awesome shape otherwise and I want to hear that engine rumble again! That first start has me very motivated. General thanks to all for this and all the other great info I've gotten from this site in the last week.
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GlassSeeker
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Joined: November-26-2008 Location: Elk Grove, CA. Status: Offline Points: 2421 |
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Posted: August-10-2014 at 2:06pm |
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Sparks out of the ignition switch? That's no bueno. Something is shorting...find it.
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This is the life
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Ski-licious73
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Joined: August-05-2014 Location: Daytona Beach Status: Offline Points: 12 |
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Posted: August-10-2014 at 2:16pm |
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Agreed. Only got sparks from the ignition switch that one time. Now when I turn the key I get a spark at the positive battery terminal. After that happens no other electrical will work (bilge, stereo lights etc.) but if I disconnect the negative terminal and reconnect, those electrical items will start working again. Really weird.
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SNobsessed
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Joined: October-21-2007 Location: IA Status: Offline Points: 7102 |
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Posted: August-10-2014 at 4:28pm |
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Sounds like the cables may be badly corroded. If you post some pictures we might be able to comment more.
If you have a ohm meter, check the resistance of the switch (both on & start positions). It sounds like that is not healthy either. These items are pretty safety related, so replace them if they show any degradation at all. |
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“Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.”
Ben Franklin |
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Ski-licious73
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Joined: August-05-2014 Location: Daytona Beach Status: Offline Points: 12 |
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Posted: August-10-2014 at 5:54pm |
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Had cleaned the terminals and all connectors pretty well even though they didn't appear to be corroded. Just confusing since it started up with no problems initially. Having a marine tech come tomorrow to take a look. Ill post the diagnosis for future reference.
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8122pbrainard
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Joined: September-14-2006 Location: Three Lakes Wi. Status: Offline Points: 41045 |
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Posted: August-10-2014 at 7:37pm |
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Chris is correct that you need to Ohm out the actual switch contacts. You should get a near zero Ohm reading. if not, then the switch is bad.
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CrazyCanuck
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Joined: July-21-2013 Location: Vancouver B.C. Status: Offline Points: 254 |
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Posted: August-10-2014 at 11:11pm |
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Shorted wire in the wet bilge?
My oil pressure gauge went to zero on the lake the other day. Panicked....checked everything and ended up running a bypass wire from the sending unit to the gauge direct and it showed pressure. Now I know my wire all of a sudden went bad. Will run a new one in the next few days. |
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Ski-licious73
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Joined: August-05-2014 Location: Daytona Beach Status: Offline Points: 12 |
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Posted: August-11-2014 at 11:08pm |
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Yes you were absolutely right. Despite looking fairly clean, once the ends of the cables were cut, new connectors were soldered and reattached to the battery she fired right up. the switch was fine. Have to drain some old nasty fuel out of the tank though. Poured some in a glass jar through the fuel line and looks like chicken soup. Anyone have an opinion off adding Royal Purple fuel system cleaner compared to Seafoam? got a bottle of both. Next issue, no reverse. Fluid level fine (was low but added half a quart) Thought the tech said something about an "engager valve" ? Once I have reverse she should be a solid vessel. Will post pics soon of this Cyprus Gardens vet. Thinking Thursday will be the first day on the water! Only 550 hours on this gem. Thanks for all the help and responses! Very much appreciated!
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SNobsessed
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Joined: October-21-2007 Location: IA Status: Offline Points: 7102 |
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Posted: August-11-2014 at 11:17pm |
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Congratulations on fixing the sparks!
You might want to disconnect the shift cable from the tranny & see if you can get it to engage by manually operating the lever (that isolates out the shifter & cable). If the tranny is OK, next I would suspect the cable retainer in the shifter; they wear out & break. |
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“Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.”
Ben Franklin |
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Ski-licious73
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Joined: August-05-2014 Location: Daytona Beach Status: Offline Points: 12 |
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Posted: August-11-2014 at 11:22pm |
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Transmission engages fine in forward and it looks like I am getting equal movement both forwards and backwards with the cable and lever.
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SNobsessed
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Joined: October-21-2007 Location: IA Status: Offline Points: 7102 |
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Posted: August-11-2014 at 11:27pm |
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Sounds like time for a rebuild. The tranny is easy to pull out yourself, but then send it to a reputable shop for the rebuild.
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“Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.”
Ben Franklin |
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