www.iFourWinns.com

Hi guys,

My first post in your impressive Four Winns forum

Well, my problem occured after going on cruise speed for approx. ½ hour or so and then slowed down for preparing anchoring.
Just when I shifted the gear from forward to neutral, the engine stopped without any preceding warning.
The engine were running smoothly with no signs of fuel or ignition problems. It just stopped and when trying to start,
the engine just turns and occasionally ignites through the flame arrestor(!!!) when turning the engine for a longer time.

After doing faultfinding I suspected the ignition coil to be faulty since the spark on the spark plugs were quite weak when
turning the engine.
So I replaced the igntion coil, cables and distribution rotor to be sure that the vital ignition components were up-to-date.
BUT this didn't solve the problem and now I'm suspecting a broken ground connection to be the sinner!

Recently I replaced both the high and low pressure pumps and the fuelsystem seems to work, so I haven't focused on this.

I've made following observations:
- The spark from the igntion coil seems very weak (orange color) and becomes more weak when turning the engine for a
longer period (5-10sec). This is also the main reason why I suspect a broken ground connection!
- Crank shaft sensor is ok
- Cam shaft sensor haven't yet been verified, but if I get a spark, I must assume that the sensor is ok or???
- I can smell gas fumes when dismounting a spark plug (meaning that the fuel system is ok, I assume)
- New spark plugs have been running for approx. 40hrs
- I've been told that there's a switch connected to the gear which disconnects the ignition under certain conditions (I don't remember which conditions!),
the rockerarm on this switch may usually bent when shifting the gear! But I can't locate any switch!!
- The problem occured without any preceding symptoms, so it must be a sudden problem! (not water in fuel or poor spark plugs)
- Why does the engine sometimes ignite through the flame arrestor (wrong timing, unburned fuel???)

Do any of you have experience with similar problems, because I'm not sure where to start finding a bad/broken ground connection
and perhabs you have a hint that could lead to the solution!

Looking forward to your feedback

_________________
Best regards
Michael

Four Winns 268 Vista '04
Volvo Penta 5,7 OSXi
XDP Drive

i am going to go real simple, did the Emergency Stop Switch lanyard disconnect?

You're describing the exact situation when the ignition sensor shorted out in my distributor.

_________________
1981 Columbia 8.7
2015 Yamaha FZR - 87mph - sold
2006 Yamaha GP1300R - sold
2003 Chaparral 215 SSI - sold
2009 Stingray 195CS - sold
2000 Four Winns H180 - sold
1976 O'day Daysailer II - sold
Rick's Four Winns H180 Mods/Upgrade Thread

Minnow: Good point But yes, I did remember to enable the stop switch. If I remember correctly the engine will not even turn if the stop switch is disabled?

Ric: is it the cranck shaft sensor (located on the distributor) you're referring to? Or is it the driver module for the ignition coil (located on the same bracket on which the ignition coil is fastenend).

Perhaps you got a point here, but then I can't understand why I get a spark (very weak though)!

Your feedback is highly appreciated

_________________
Best regards
Michael

Four Winns 268 Vista '04
Volvo Penta 5,7 OSXi
XDP Drive

Try the ECM which is attached to the coil. If you have spark, you have fuel, it may not be syncing up. I've replaced 2 on mine so far and carry an extra on the boat...

It'll crank but not fire!

_________________
-Tony
2016 Robalo R200 w/Yahama 200!

Previous boats:
2003 Four Winns 248 Vista - sold
1994 Sunbird Corsair 200 - sold
1980 Checkmate Predictor - sold

Well it seems there's a good chance for a solution! Did you check the spark before replacing the ECM? Also if you already have replaced two ECM's - it appears to be a generel problem on these engines. But I haven't heard anyone mentioning this issue here in DK, but now I've ordered a new ECM and hope this may fix the problem!

Still I'm looking forward to Ric's reply about which component he's referring to

_________________
Best regards
Michael

Four Winns 268 Vista '04
Volvo Penta 5,7 OSXi
XDP Drive

The fuse/relay box can go bad on these engines due to vibration. Check Volvo Service Bulletin P 37-2-2 to see if your engine is affected.

_________________
2004 Vista 298
Twin 5.7L Volvo Penta GXi-E

I had spark, & I had fuel.

_________________
-Tony
2016 Robalo R200 w/Yahama 200!

Previous boats:
2003 Four Winns 248 Vista - sold
1994 Sunbird Corsair 200 - sold
1980 Checkmate Predictor - sold