Thread: E Tec will turn over but not fire

First and don't ask me how I know this but check and make sure your kill switch is connected! If that isn't it, start at the beginning. Engines need three thing to run, compression fuel and spark. Check your compression if that's ok check your spark, if you have spark it's got to be a fuel issue. There are a lot of reason for a motor to not start but this will help you narrow down where to look.

Get a cheap adjustable spark tester and compression gauge from an auto parts store. First check compression by removing all plugs, turn off the safety kill switch to ground out the ignition system, then insert the gauge into each cylinder and turn the motor over 3-4 seconds or until the gauge reading levels out. For a newer motor I'd want compression to be at least 120 psi and you only want a 10% max difference between all cylinders.

If that checks out, move on to the spark. Set the spark tester to a 7/16" gap. Plug it into a plug boot and ground it to the engine block. You also need to ground your other spark plug wires. I just take some 12 awg wire and strip the ends so they will go down into the plug wire boot to make contact and then twist them together and use a jumper wire to connect them to a ground. This makes sure the ignition system can discharge and keeps it from getting damaged. Turn the motor over and you should see a good thick spark jump the gap. Retest on all cylinders.

If compression and spark is good, then it all but has to be fuel. If it's fuel injected you could have bad injectors, bad fuel pump, or issue with the computer. I've never messed with an outboard EFI system but with a car you can manually work the injectors by jumping 12V to the power wire on it. You can test the fuel pump by removing the fuel line to the injectors and hanging it in a can and turn the motor over...fuel should come out. If both work but it's not delivering fuel then you probably have a computer problem which would mean the dealer would have to handle it.

Check the neutral safety switch under the hood where the linkage is. I've seen a few where the nut backs off the small mounting bolt and will keep the switch open causing no fire.