Scarab 255 Open - Port engine won't turn over

[tonyu]

Happy Memorial Day all! 2021 255 Open owner here, I am having an issue with the port side engine not starting. I was hoping for some feedback and further troubleshooting ideas before I resort to dragging it up to the dealership. It has the 200HP engines, if that matters. The starboard engine starts right up as normal, port side cranks and cranks but nothing else. I tried replacing the batteries as they were reading 'needs replacement' with my battery tester but that didn't help with the issue. I checked the fuses, none appear to be blown. No check engine lights on the dash. I have the Candoopro but am not sure if that would help in this situation since there are not any warning lights. Can anyone offer any suggestions? Thanks so much in advance

 

[Luc Lafreniere]

If it's cranking, then it's either fuel or spark.

If the fuel pump was the issue, then you'd likely have a fault code/engine light. It's not bad fuel since the other engine is running.

Your likely issue is spark, or lack thereof. I would automatically replace all 3 spark plugs, they are super inexpensive and this isn't worth the trouble to save a few dollars. Worse case scenario, the old plugs can be used as spares if it turns out they weren't the problem. It's also possible your ignition coils are somehow bad or not properly seated. I've seen this more often than you'd expect. Also check the fuses for each cylinder in the fuse box inside the engine bay.

 

[tonyu]

If it's cranking, then it's either fuel or spark.

If the fuel pump was the issue, then you'd likely have a fault code/engine light. It's not bad fuel since the other engine is running.

Your likely issue is spark, or lack thereof. I would automatically replace all 3 spark plugs, they are super inexpensive and this isn't worth the trouble to save a few dollars. Worse case scenario, the old plugs can be used as spares if it turns out they weren't the problem. It's also possible your ignition coils are somehow bad or not properly seated. I've seen this more often than you'd expect. Also check the fuses for each cylinder in the fuse box inside the engine bay.

Thanks for the reply. I got it fixed, it seems to be the 30A relays in the fuse box. I swapped them out with the other engine fuse box, messed around with the configurations of the 4 a few different ways and problem was fixed. I think I'm going to go ahead and order 4 new ones anyway and swap them out. thanks for the suggestion!

 

[Luc Lafreniere]

FYI, that's a little weird. When relays fail, the engine doesn't usually crank at all. Although a relay can be intermittent, but that hasn't been common in my experience. But regardless, the proof is in the pudding as they say. I recommend you keep a few relays as spares onboard as well. Minimum of 2 since each engine requires 2.