Engine Will Not Turn Off

[cmbowman1129]

Boat starts and runs just fine. When we went to park in the cove my engine would not shut off when the key is turned to off position. Boat still continues to fire right back up. We have a 2000 2300V that doesn’t have a kill switch. Any help/advise is greatly appreciated.

[bsreid]

doesn't solve your problem, but what about kill switch?

[cmbowman1129]

doesn't solve your problem, but what about kill switch?

I wish it was just a kill switch issue but my boat doesn’t have one. It’s a 2000 2300V.

[freeheel4life]

Boat starts and runs just fine. When we went to park in the cove my engine would not shut off when the key is turned to off position. Boat still continues to fire right back up. We have a 2000 2300V that doesn’t have a kill switch. Any help/advise is greatly appreciated.

Was the alternator changed at all recently??

[cmbowman1129]

Was the alternator changed at all recently??

I believe the alternator was changed about 2 - 2.5 years ago.

[freeheel4life]

Well if it was shutting off before then that kills my theory. Id start by making sure voltage goes away on purple wire at key when you shut it off

[cmbowman1129]

what do you mean "Boat still continues to fire right back up"? it doesn't turn off, or it turns off then starts back up on its own?

The boat starts just fine by the turn of the key in start/on position. When I go to turn the key to the off position to shut engine down I get nothing, engine continues to run. I had to pull the coil plug to shut down the engine. I can continue to start the engine but cannot turn the boat off without pulling the coil plug. Replaced the ignition switch and the issue still continues.

[freeheel4life]

All I can think is possible sticking relay. Also seen where after an alternator change the excite and voltage sense wires for the regulator got flip flopped and would keep the boat running.

[boatwakes]

Bad key switch. There are no relays that control power to the coil on that model year Mercruiser. Use a volt meter and test the purple wire at the ignition coil with the positive lead from the volt tester and put the black lead on an unpainted bolt head on the engine block to get a good ground. DO NOT USE THE NEGATIVE SIDE OF THE IGNITION COIL, it is not a ground. If you have 12volts or around 12volts when you perform this test and the key is in the "off" position, your key switch is bad. Easy to replace just be sure to get the 3 position and not the 4 position. 4 position has the accessory on it which our boats don't require.

[cmbowman1129]

I replaced the key switch and that wasn't the issue. Wish it was just the switch lol would have been a much cheaper fix.

SOLVED: The problem ended up being in the wiring harness back at the engine.