350 magnum quit running

[Halifax212]

Hi all, looking for some feedback before I haul my 212 to the shop.  I was cruising yesterday at about 25mph when the engine suddenly stopped as if I had just turned off the key. Attempted to restart with no luck. The engine sounds fine while cranking but will not fire.  I was low on fuel, maybe showing 1/16 tank, but there was no indication of bogging.....it simply quit while under way.  Put it on the trailer and filled with half tank of fuel. When home I attempted to restart with  6 or so 10 second cranks and nothing.  When I turn the key,I can here the pre charge kick in.  The engine is 2003 or 2004  350 magnum mpi with alpha 1 drive.  Looking for a quick driveway fix if possible.

[kleake]

Check the basics,,, since you were low on fuel, I would check for fuel at the fuel rail.  Should be a shrader valve on the fuel rail you can push and see if you get a spray of fuel (have a rag around it to catch the spray).  If you have that, pull a spark plug and make sure you have spark.  If you have those two things, you should be good, but let us know what you find and we can guide you more.

[AlexisandChad]

One other thing to check is the main plug on top of the engine.  It is a very large harness connection that LOVES to come loose.  Try pulling it and cleaning the contacts.  Put it back together and if that works, secure with zip ties.  HTH

[DaleM]

Any chance the cut off switch that has the safety lanyard attached to it was flipped?

[Halifax212]

Well, I took it to my neighbor who works on outboards for him to give it a once over for me.  Fuel seemed fine to the rails. We put some fuel directly into the air intake and tried to start but it would not fire. He determined there was no spark from the coil wire .  Recommended to take it to the dealer for a diagnostic so I am off tomorrow to take the pain....
We checked the lanyard, the fuse below the ignition and pressed any wiring harness for loose connections.

[pepmyster]

Keep us posted.................................

[Halifax212]

350 Mag up and running!   Not happy about the process, but here we go. Took it to a smaller local mercruiser dealer who could look at it "right away"  Four days later on a Friday they inform me no boat for the weekend.....they checked some obvious items , coil distributor etc but were stumped it seemed. They had placed calls to Merc but were waiting for a response. Tuesday of this week they had pin pointed the problem to an interrupter switch and ordered it in.  Got my bill and after tax it was $660. The required part was $35.  They had also installed a CP sensor(had to do with the crank,left it in and charged me for it($200) since it would have cost that much to put my old one back in.  Got boat home and fired it up to flush block, and when I turned the engine off I hear water running out the bottom of the engine...just what I needed. Upon closed look the lower blue drain screw was undone(maybe wanted more service work). Tightened up and everything is fine...for now!  I hate having to sign a blank check when I go for service so I had to suck it up and I'll be on the water Sunday.  Thanks to everyone for their suggestions .

Brian

[pepmyster]

Good, now go back on the water

[Halifax212]

Put her back in the water and powered out to a beach....5 minutes into the ride it cuts out!....I'm pissed.  We drop anchor and chill in the sun for a while(were not going anywhere) . Tried to restart by fiddling with the wires in the area of the 2 interrupter switches and managed to get fire!.  Worked for 15 seconds then cut out. Got it going a second time,and made it back to the marina. Feeling confident with my restarting abilities we went back out on the water to enjoy the best weekend weather this summer...this time it cut out and no restarting...my luck ran out. Got a tow back and now the fight begins with the service centre. I am taking it to the place that just did my trim sending units to check the other guy's work.  I just want to go boating!

[pepmyster]

Damm it! Damm it! Damm it!!!!   Don`t these guys ever test their work

[Halifax212]

Well it is 7:00 on a bright and calm Saturday morning(very rare this summer) and got my boat back from shop#2. The electrical specialist checked codes, found some questionable connections(some from when the engine was assembled), got fire and is very confident the problem is now fixed. No more engine codes come up on their diagnostic gear.  Today I will test to find out. The parts the other place put in were swapped back with my original parts as well since they were ok. Not sure if anyone has had to fight a dealer over an invoice for poor service work with any success.  I hope to end this thread on a positive note today 

[Halifax212]

All is well again!  It never missed a beat today......love my Rinker!

[pepmyster]