DF 70 Suzuki

T

Tug

New member
My DF70 Suzuki suddenly died about 5 minutes out of the marina today. Started great at the marina...was running perfect and than suddenly died. Throw a stern anchor out so i would not drift into the shallows...the squeeze bulb had collapsed so i removed the connections from the fuel tank and the engine and re-attached them...reprimed. I turned the key to restart the engine and ..nothing..not even a ...click....dead..dead..dead. I got a tow back to the marine and tied up at my slip...went home and got my boat trailer.At home i checked the batteries and all was ok...all other accessories work ....tried starting the engine with the water hose attachment but all was dead...I get the buzzing sound when i turn the key to the first setting but not even a click when i turn the key to start it..I checked all the engine fuses that i could find and all seemed good.Strange that i would die so suddenly ...any ideas what the problem could be....I will have to take my boat into the shop next week.Tug
 
Check the Red/Black heavy wires that come from your engine and connect to the battery switch (red) and the ground (black) probably on the battery itself. Remove them carefully, use some sort of wire brush to clean them and reinstall and tighten.

Charlie
 
Charlie...removed all the wires to the Perko battery switch....plus removed the wires from the two batteries...cleaned and re-tightened.Than removed and replaced the dead mans' switch and the ignition...shifted into forward and reverse a couple of times and put the hose back on the engine...Turned the key and she fired up just like new....I don't think the connections were lose or corroded, all the wiring was replaced new when i installed the Windlass....BUT ...after taking your suggestion i do not see what else could of caused it. Still seems strange that the engine worked for awhile and than suddenly stopped dead.....You would of thought that there would of been an obvious cause.....like a wire that had come detached from a ring terminal . Thanks ..i owe you a beer or two. Tug

I will be a little concerned the next time i take her out.
 
I would add dielectric grease to the cleaned connections and if using wing nuts, replace with hex nuts and washers on the battery
Clean the terminals and add grease inside the motor, too

While you at it thoughts (WYAIT or wyatt if I am at work)
Is the battery new? What is the resting voltage? You have performed a load test on it?
 
If all the connections looked good and it started after you cleaned them, it may possibly be the switch(s). When you shut things on and off, you may have cleaned a switch contact. You might want to spray the ones you can with contact cleaner.

I once spent 6 mos messing around with the wiring on my old truck and it was a bad switch. Started every time I jiggled the wiring, which it turned out was just enough time to allow the switch to cool. This does not make your wife happy.

Yours in mysterious cures, Boris
 
Went out again yesterday for a trial run after inspecting and cleaning, retightening all wire connections and got 1/2 mile before she died on me. Another tow to the docks, last night i bought a new primer bulb and installed it along with a new gas/water separator. Just got back from a run down the river and the boat ran like new....although i had switched from the starboard tank to the Port tank i am sure it was the Primer bulb, the old bulb rattled like it had marbles in it when i shook it.The next time i am out i will try the Starboard tank to make sure, didn't want to press my luck today. Tug
 
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