Coughing HP500
 

I have a 2000 HP500 that has been running fine until last weekend. The motor will start, idle, but will cut off (and usually back on) almost instantly. Occasionally it will totally die, and then restarts with no problem. It can occur idling or up on plane. There is no pattern to when it happens. Sometimes it will go the entire day with no problem. It acts electrical rather than fuel related so we pulled the distributor and replaced the reluctor which seemed to help for a while, but now it is back to no good. I also replaced the module. I'm guessing that maybe the coil is bad. Any other ideas?

Have you checked the computer to see if it's setting a trouble code?

I had a similar problem a few years ago. It finally quit and wouldn't restart. I leaned on the main connector plug on top of the engine and guess what? you got it! Took it apart cleaned the pins and spread them a little. Haven't had a problem (with that) since.

I had a 2000 2.5 Merc outboard that would decide not to start sometimes and it ended up being the computer. I would check that. They should be able to get a code from it to tell you what is wrong.

be sure to check your grounds and hot leads before you replace the computer, good luck also check if any codes are stored

Correct. The motor is not EFI. I replaced the coil. All wires, grounds, etc. are tight. Still doing it. I think I'm going back to sailing. Anyone got a sailboat they want to trade?

I checked the separator and everything in it was clean. I'll have to start looking behind the dash...

I had the EXACT same problem once on a 454Mag. Turns out whenever the distibutor cap started to scale up inside, the same thing you described would happen. If I was on the water, and I usually was when it happened, I'd pull the cap, scrape it clean with a pocket knife/screw driver, reinstall and boat the rest of the day. When I made it home I'd buy a new cap. Usually about once a year. Hope this helps...

Jromy2, I have seen a kill/lanyard switch do that same thing. Maybe bypass the kill switch for a day(be careful) or simply make sure the connections are tight on the back of it.

Good Luck, Eric

I have the same thing go wrong with my 400 sbc. After checking all the cables i found that even know the groung was tight it had a little corrosion on the terminal end. I charged the battery replaced the ground cable and **** what do you know it fixed it.