Help! Honda 150 Wouldn't Start Today!

P

Pat Anderson

New member
OK, there never is a good time for your outboard not to start, but today was a truly embarassing time - I had Rolf Hildre with me, we were going out for a short spin out of Blaine so he could get a sense of the boat. Rolf is going to bring Daydream back from Ketchikan to Blaine, so the LAST thing I need is for Rolf to be worried about the reliability of the motor! (Rolf - these REALLY are great reliable motors, honest!)

So here's the dope - starter works when I turn the key, it all turns over, but as soon as I release the starter, nothing - it is just dead. Electrical? Fuel? Something else? We have a call into Rick at C-Dory, hoping to hear back, but if anybody has any bright ideas, or has experienced something similar, sure would appreciate hearing from you!

Thanks!
 
The first thing to check is the little clip in the safety kill switch. Mine is on the controller next to the key switch, but I don't know where yours is. It will be close, though, because you are supposed to have a lanyard on it that goes around your wrist while driving. Sometimes them durn dogs can knock the things loose.
 
A good thought, one that occurred to me too...it was in place, I cut that dang lanyard off right when it was new, it is not like I am going to put the lanyard around my wrist or snap it on to my life vest in case I fall overboard from the helm seat! But nope, that is not it...


TyBoo":1avw941q said:
The first thing to check is the little clip in the safety kill switch. Mine is on the controller next to the key switch, but I don't know where yours is. It will be close, though, because you are supposed to have a lanyard on it that goes around your wrist while driving. Sometimes them durn dogs can knock the things loose.
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I am definitely hoping it is something simple, it is so dang inconvenient to have to tow it in to the factory! On the other had, it is really convenient for us to tow it in to the factory compared to folks who live in Alaska or durn near anywhere else for that matter (we are about 40 minutes away). So, it is not the kill switch. Fuel valve? I do not have a fuel valve as far as I know, at least I have never turned it on or off if I do have one, it is in the permanently on position, so I don't think that is it either. I keep thinking, fuel, spark, air - the three essentials for combustion, but nothing obvious jumps out. I am hoping it is something like the ignition switch went south rather than something in the motor itself...but at least is should be under warranty...

flapbreaker":1u6vw6hn said:
It's probably something simple. I keep forgetting to turn the fuel valve on. Doh! I vote for the kill switch idea though.
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When I had my engine serviced by my Honda Service guy in Connecticut last spring , he told me there had been a rash of failures in the ignition switch control heads of Honda outboards. He has replaced a number of them already. I haven't had a problem with mine yet but it does concern me too. I have experienced a case where I would insert the key and it would not turn. Key one and key two that came with the boat went in but would not turn. It got worse in cold weather when the metal shrinks a little. I was stuck on the mooring and couldn't turn the key. I shot WD-40 into the key slot and then after it soaked in for about an half hour it worked again. No problem since last year. I guess something inside the key switch corroded just enough in a very short month or so to cause a minor siezing problem, no, the key did not have a burr.

Is this a reason to have a kicker?

Good Luck,
Pete in NY
 
THIS sounds exactly like what it could be...we even speculated on this possibility. It is like the juice is simply cut off when the key returns from the starter position to the run position. Hmmm..."a rash of failures in the ignition switch control head" is now my leading candidate...

Pete in NY":1b1ezskb said:
When I had my engine serviced by my Honda Service guy in Connecticut last spring , he told me there had been a rash of failures in the ignition switch control heads of Honda outboards. He has replaced a number of them already. I haven't had a problem with mine yet but it does concern me too. I have experienced a case where I would insert the key and it would not turn. Key one and key two that came with the boat went in but would not turn. It got worse in cold weather when the metal shrinks a little. I was stuck on the mooring and couldn't turn the key. I shot WD-40 into the key slot and then after it soaked in for about an half hour it worked again. No problem since last year. I guess something inside the key switch corroded just enough in a very short month or so to cause a minor siezing problem, no, the key did not have a burr.

Is this a reason to have a kicker?

Good Luck,
Pete in NY
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Pat Anderson":3kfpd5mg said:
So here's the dope - starter works when I turn the key, it all turns over, but as soon as I release the starter, nothing - it is just dead.
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Are you saying you can hear the engine start as the starter turns it over but it immediately quits completely when you release the key?

Gotta agree with Pete's analysis if that's true. Sounds electrical, specifically ignition related.

I envy your proximity to the factory.

Don
 
One more simple thing, did you pump the primer bulb? I have both bulbs (kicker and main) down by the tank. You can pump the bulb for the kicker until you're blue in the face and it will not supply gas to the main motor. Don't ask me how I know this...

One of the reasons I installed a section of clear gas line between the filter and the main is for troubleshooting. Easy to tell if you are getting fuel to the motor this way.

stevej
 
I am saying the engine cranks when the key is turned to the start position, it may just be the starter motor turning it over - really can't tell if it is running, it is so quiet anyway. But as soon as I release the key from the start position, nothing.

Being close to the factory does have its advantages!


Sneaks":j4sg74jq said:
Are you saying you can hear the engine start as the starter turns it over but it immediately quits completely when you release the key?

Gotta agree with Pete's analysis if that's true. Sounds electrical, specifically ignition related.

I envy your proximity to the factory.

Don
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Yeah, the primer bulb was the first thing we tried, figuring no gas was getting to the engine. I only have a main, no kicker, so there is only one primer bulb...the clear gas line idea soudns like a good one.

stevej":1ji94bmb said:
One more simple thing, did you pump the primer bulb? I have both bulbs (kicker and main) down by the tank. You can pump the bulb for the kicker until you're blue in the face and it will not supply gas to the main motor. Don't ask me how I know this...

One of the reasons I installed a section of clear gas line between the filter and the main is for troubleshooting. Easy to tell if you are getting fuel to the motor this way.

stevej
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Yes, just one gas tank - 100 gallons, under the cockpit floor. There MIGHT be a gas shut off switch somewhere, but if there is, I have never found it...

flapbreaker":2w61je9r said:
Maybe the 25' C-dory's don't have a fuel on off lever like the 22's I'm guessing. Does it have just one fuel tank?
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Yeah, that sure sounds like the most likely culprit right now, doesn't it? I thought the key action was a bit sticky, too. Would it possibly do any harm to squirt a little WD-40 down the key slot, or should I leave well enough alone until C-Dory can determine the cause of the problem for sure?

I guess what is sticking in my craw right now is that IF there really have been a "rash of failures" of the ignition switch, why haven't we heard about it from Honda or C-Dory? I would REALLY be pissed if they knew these switches were failing left and right, and then the switch were to fail halfway between Blaine and Ketchikan...


gljjr":30pnyvyz said:
Pat, my first thought when reading your initial post was that the Ignition Switch had gone bad. Bummer!
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Hi Pat , sorry about the problems your having with your Honda. I am sure it is a very simple thing! Maybe you have a leak in your tank? Try to light a match, if it goes poof! you find your problem.... just kiding. On a more serious thought, have you check all of your connections behind your panel ? Maybe a wire came loose ,check your engine also for a loose wire or a blown fuse. Gary SEARAM
 
Pat;

Would it possibly do any harm to squirt a little WD-40 down the key slot
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Squirting WD-40 in the key slot will not hurt, however if you have compressed air nearby, follow-up with blowing it in the key slot after the WD-40 has set in there for a minute. If you don't have compressed air use the canned air you get from office stores or Costco or just about anywhere now-a-days. Also turn your battery off and cycle the key several times (on-start-off).

It wouldn't hurt to repeat this process several times. If there is any corrosion or crud in there, this should clean it out.

Good luck
 
Check for spark...Check for spark....

If that motor still has a carburetor, pull the choke knob while cranking. My Honda 90 has a choke solenoid problem and will NOT start without manually pulling the knob. I know I should fix it but it just never seems to make the top of the list.

Good luck
Wade
 
Patty here. Well, David is here at Birch Bay to help install the Navman fuel meter. I told him to make my engine work first. He turned the key and she started right up! Killed it right away and tried again---she started right up! Are we safe in going out tonight for an overnighter? And what the heck do you make of the problem yesterday? Bad Kharma????
 
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