radio noise

tundra250

2002 250 5.0 mpi b3....engine completely shuts off when on plane....computer does not show problem....Merc Rep says it could be radio noise and suggests changing spark plug wires, plugs, and distributer cap....anyone have this problem

howardrams

No.  But a year ago a friends boat stopped every once in a while, and we traced it to the ignition switch (the key).  It was intermittent.  There would be power in the start position while cranking but it would die when you released the key to "run".  That suggestion from the Merc rep doesn't sound valid to me.  That stuff doesn't make your engine quit while on plane.

howardrams

Though I guess if what the Merc rep meant was that badly cracked up spark plug wires could be generating RF noise which might interfere with the boat's ECM, that could be possible.  That usually only happens if someone was excessively handling old plug wires, coiling them, bending them, stretching them out. etc.  The graphite/carbon "crumbles" and it would usually also cause rough running, hard starting, etc.  That's why racers go with copper wires.

MarkB

Someone had a problem with the safety switch (one the rip chord is attached to). Was not making good contact and cut off engine intermittently.