FX-1 No spark when boat is in the water (salt)

[iruinall]

Setup: '94 FX-1 full 61x with new OEM Start Stop Kill switch and new battery

Background : boat ran fine until 3 weeks ago.

Symptom: boat runs fine and all electrics work properly on the trailer/shore.
as soon as the boat is placed in the water (or very soon after as sometimes it will fire then quickly die) there is no spark. With the black/white wires disconnected the boat runs fine but of course you cannot kill it with the switches. Reconnecting the black/white wires immediately kills it.

I have completely disassembled the black/white wire connector and cleaned all components and reassembled with a healthy dose of dielectric grease.

I have completely disassembled the SSK switch and cleaned all components and reassembled with a healthy dose of dielectric grease.

There were no significant signs of corrosion at either location.

Where do I go from here?

I apologize it there already a thread on this. I looked/searched but did not find one.

 

[yankeeboy]

I know from experience coils/plug wires can cause a lot of problems in the surf. While i'm not positive thats your problem, it may be a good place to start. Maybe start looking into a replacement, and see what others have to say about your issue.

 

[davy87nj]

You dissembled the whole switch even the actual switch under the rubber boots? When the ski is not firing Take a meter and set on ohms. put each lead(neg and pos) on each pin(one on black wire side, one on white) of the white and black harness connector while unplugged. Make sure there is no water on the connector. Put your lanyard in. You should have no reading or OFL. Any other reading than that when the lanyard is on and the red button is not pressed is not good. it should only have continunity when the red button is pressed.

It sounds like a problem I had once, every time the nose of the ski dipped enough into salt water it would kill it instantly. then not start for a few seconds. eventually it would start. What happened was my wire harness had rubbed the white and black wire thru the insulation to the copper. everytime those two wires went under it killed the ignition. I replaced the whole switch because a wire repair near the hull to pole pass thru I didnt think would last very long.

 

[Balduccimoto]

Definitely check the wire by the pole spring. I'm thinking it could've rubbed against the pole spring

 

[iruinall]

Thanks guys! Battled this gremlin again last Sunday. I will check it out when I get home.

 

[KTM434]

Start/stop switches fail in salt water. It's common

 

[Nuklear6]

If it runs with out interruption when the white and black wire connector is disconnected there is no reason to look at anything else but the two kill switches (lanyard and red button) or the wires that lead too them from that plug connector. As said above I lean more toward the wires then the switches.

 

[iruinall]

Thanks for all the help guys. Spot on as usual!
Found a "Big Ole Cow Gash" in the black wire (was hidden by the loom). Must have gotten bitten by my turn plate.
Made the repair and am planning to ride tomorrow. Fingers crossed.

 

[Nuklear6]

Thanks for all the help guys. Spot on as usual!
Found a "Big Ole Cow Gash" in the black wire (was hidden by the loom). Must have gotten bitten by my turn plate.
Made the repair and am planning to ride tomorrow. Fingers crossed.

Hope you used good quality marine heat shrink or a marine butt connector. Either should have heat activated epoxy sealant built in. If not you might still have an issue in the salt water....

 

[iruinall]

10-4. Marine heat shrink butt connector with adhesive...all I ever use. Thanks!