Port engine cranks fine but won't start.

[DFDJETBOAT17]

Yes, that is correct. However, I am starting to doubt that and may have combined some of the trouble shooting steps.

Did you ever find the cause of this? Have a 2011 sx240. One engine starts up fine, but the port just cranks over and doesn’t start?

 

[ZippyBoater]

Did you ever find the cause of this? Have a 2011 sx240. One engine starts up fine, but the port just cranks over and doesn’t start?

No, I never really figured it out. My best guess is that it was a clogged fuel pump or line. When I had the problem, if I put fresh fuel in the tank, it would start after I put the gas can away and the fuel tank settled. Toward the end of the summer and all three times I have had her out this year, she is running fine. If I could only find the source of the cavitation on the port drive, everything would be great.

 

[Kevin C]

HELP! I have been dealing with lanyards and clean out hatch switches for 6 months of no start on the port engine. Starboard engine works fine. Even switched out the computers, and switched out the key switch at the helm. One hope, the port engine which won't start gives me a "battery voltage" alarm when cranking. The starboard engine does not alarm at all. When cranking, the port engine the voltage drops from 12.3 v to 9 volts. Any suggestions on what is my problem? PLEASE HELP! The lanyard switch wires are all removed from the switch and hanging loose. The clean out hood port switch brown wires were disconnected and joined together. PLEASE HELP!

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

bad battery connection or dirty ground wire to the engine block, try some jumper cables from the battery to the block to see if that is the problem and then clean the conections

 

[Kevin C]

Thank you Cobra. I did put a black jumper from the battery negative to the block and still no spark. Can you tell me how to find the black negative ground wire to the engine. Very difficult to trace the wires and see down there. Appreciate you being in the game with me!

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

ok so it cranks over but gets no spark I misunderstood the issue check the neutral safety switch on the engine it is near the throttle body of the intake very common to not let it start if the switch is out of adjustment try cranking the engine and moving the shifter a bit forward and backward at the same time JUST A LITTLE

 

[Murf'n'surf]

Thank you Cobra. I did put a black jumper from the battery negative to the block and still no spark. Can you tell me how to find the black negative ground wire to the engine. Very difficult to trace the wires and see down there. Appreciate you being in the game with me!

Your cleanout switch wires are black to brown connection for the bypass?
Dual battery set up? If so, try the emergency parallel to see if you have one bad battery.
I would assume the lanyard wires are correct if one engine starts.

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

Your cleanout switch wires are black to brown connection for the bypass?
Dual battery set up? If so, try the emergency parallel to see if you have one bad battery.
I would assume the lanyard wires are correct if one engine starts.

the clean out switched won't let the starter turn so that is probably not the problem I have had issues with the neutral safety switch doing that same thing to me that he is experiencing

 

[Beachbummer]

Jeff, on some boats those hatch switches do both things (two separate circuits, one for stopping cranking, the other to kill spark, 4 wires total) You are right that when the switch is working it will behave as you describe, but the switch can fail allowing cranking but no spark. Jumping the switch, or bench testing it, will confirm for sure.

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

Jeff, on some boats those hatch switches do both things (two separate circuits, one for stopping cranking, the other to kill spark, 4 wires total) You are right that when the switch is working it will behave as you describe, but the switch can fail allowing cranking but no spark. Jumping the switch, or bench testing it, will confirm for sure.

Yes if the boat is running and the hatch blows open it shuts off the engine / engines so it is possible but pretty unlikely in this case although worth bypassing or testing them to be sure.