After a lovely October sail on Fisher Island Sound we made our back to the marina. We started the engine to head through Shaw’s Cove railroad bridge and to the poop dock (fuel dock) for our finally pump out of the season.
After the pump out was complete, the admiral attempted to start the engine to head to our slip. turned the key and pressed the glow plug button, nothing. We checked the fuel shut off lever and re-attempted, nothing again. The engine was shut off as normal, by engaging the fuel shut off and turning off the key. The instrument panel did not light up. We checked the battery and had plenty of battery.
After getting back to the slip with dock crew towing us over, we plugged in to shore power and tried again. Nothing again. Still no lights or gauges working on the instrument panel. I’m thinking it is the ignition switch. Then the in a few hours the engine started.
The saga continues. Since the initial non start in Oct and resting over the winter. This spring Amoore, has started up just fine until this weekend. We sailed to Lake Montauk and anchored. The next morning turned the ignition switch and no power. I had plenty of battery. I had purchased a new ignition switch but never changed it as things seemed to be ok. I changed the ignition switch to the new one and replaced the 10amp fuse. Still no start up or power to the instrument panel. Believing in the old adage if it aint broke don't fix it. I put all the old part back on as the new parts did not help. Then I checked the engine compartment for loose or discounted wires. No sign of anything frayed or burnt wires. Although I did move and jiggle a few wires while checking the harnesses. I did I also reached back to my old car mechanic days before computers and space to work under the hood. I lightly tapped the starter and solenoid. Closed up the engine compartment and gave it one more try before calling Boat USA for a tow us out of the lake and sailing back home. Much to the Admirals delight the ignition switch fired up the engine. When we got back after our 4 hour motor sail. The Admiral directed me not to shut off the engine. We docked, turned off the engine, cleaned up, had lunch. Tried to start to start engine and it started. Speaking with the mechanic other than buying a new wire harness and rewiring. He suggested I wait and install a starter switch and if it happens again while away from our home port we can start the engine and he could investigate the issue. What are your thoughts on the issue? Any input would be greatly appreciated.
After the pump out was complete, the admiral attempted to start the engine to head to our slip. turned the key and pressed the glow plug button, nothing. We checked the fuel shut off lever and re-attempted, nothing again. The engine was shut off as normal, by engaging the fuel shut off and turning off the key. The instrument panel did not light up. We checked the battery and had plenty of battery.
After getting back to the slip with dock crew towing us over, we plugged in to shore power and tried again. Nothing again. Still no lights or gauges working on the instrument panel. I’m thinking it is the ignition switch. Then the in a few hours the engine started.
The saga continues. Since the initial non start in Oct and resting over the winter. This spring Amoore, has started up just fine until this weekend. We sailed to Lake Montauk and anchored. The next morning turned the ignition switch and no power. I had plenty of battery. I had purchased a new ignition switch but never changed it as things seemed to be ok. I changed the ignition switch to the new one and replaced the 10amp fuse. Still no start up or power to the instrument panel. Believing in the old adage if it aint broke don't fix it. I put all the old part back on as the new parts did not help. Then I checked the engine compartment for loose or discounted wires. No sign of anything frayed or burnt wires. Although I did move and jiggle a few wires while checking the harnesses. I did I also reached back to my old car mechanic days before computers and space to work under the hood. I lightly tapped the starter and solenoid. Closed up the engine compartment and gave it one more try before calling Boat USA for a tow us out of the lake and sailing back home. Much to the Admirals delight the ignition switch fired up the engine. When we got back after our 4 hour motor sail. The Admiral directed me not to shut off the engine. We docked, turned off the engine, cleaned up, had lunch. Tried to start to start engine and it started. Speaking with the mechanic other than buying a new wire harness and rewiring. He suggested I wait and install a starter switch and if it happens again while away from our home port we can start the engine and he could investigate the issue. What are your thoughts on the issue? Any input would be greatly appreciated.