Urgent help needed on Merc 90hp 4/stroke!

win-or-bin · 20 June 2009, 11:39

Hi, a friend has arrived with his rib but had a problem while out with it the last time, while cruising it cut out and refused to start again. We have the engine in the muff's and when you turn the engine on the key it starts no problem, as soon as you release the key it dies instantly. We are running the engine on new fuel, checked the fuel filter, and cant figure it out! Anyone have any ideas?
Cheers
Seumus

Hightower · 20 June 2009, 12:03

sounds very much like an ignition or kill switch fault to me. Is the kill switch incorperated in the key switch or is it a seperate switch close by?

outboardtech · 20 June 2009, 12:10

take control box off and open up and disconnect the BLACK / YELLOW wire . this wire is black with a yellow tracer going round it . this is the stop circuit and have had problems like this before . sounds like ignition switch or kill switch .easy too fix yourself .cheers

win-or-bin · 22 June 2009, 20:13

Thanks very much for the replies, I checked the kill cord/switch and it seems to work fine as if i flick the small switch or pull the kill cord it doesnt fire at all. Unfortunatly we couldnt get it going so just went out in my rib instead. I will keep you posted as to what the fault was as he has taken the bought back to the dealers as the engine was serviced a few months ago and has only done two hours since!

Thanks

jyasaki · 23 June 2009, 17:27

So it runs (engine firing) when holding the key in the start position, then dies when in the run position?

Sounds like the keyswitch or associated wiring is screwy.

Do you get a short alarm sound when switching the key from Stop to Run? As I recall, most Mercs give a short beep when they first get power. Not getting that would be an indication that the Run position switch or wiring is faulty.

jky

Jizm · 23 June 2009, 19:52

Sounds like water has got into the ignition switch and is earthing out the wiring and stopping the motor.

win-or-bin · 28 June 2009, 11:30

Hi just to update for anyone in the future who has a similar problem, it was an ignition switch that was faulty as suggested by Ribnetters! All fixed now and thanks very much for the help

Hightower · 28 June 2009, 11:46

Glad you got it sorted