Starting problems

[Carl]

I was on the ramp this morning ready to splash and the motor would not start - just click - click - click - everytime I turned the key. It started fine last week in the driveway and gave me similar trouble last night, but I attributed it to a battery that probable needs replacing anyway, so I put it on the charger. So the marina owner gives me a good battery to switch out and I get the same thing.

I had similar issues a few years ago and I replaced the battery cables, and the starter solenoid. I am assuming those things are not the problems because they are newest items, that doesn't really leave much else - Maybe the ingnition switch, the starter ???

The only two times I had problems was after the motor was tilted all the way up. Can the interlock switch go bad?? If so, where is it located and how do I test / replace it?

I brought the boat home and had to go to work, so I have not looked into it yet. I will check the obvious things tonight. I have power to the rest of the boat and the trim tilt motor moves sharply so there seems to be enough power.

Any thoughts / ideas ??

Thanks

Carl

[Blue_Runner]

I had a similar experience once and it turned out to be a very simple problem. The battery connections weren't tight enough. Your situation is probably different but I thought it'd be worth mentioning. Best of luck.

[nymack66]

I agree with Blue, could be a short on one of your connections, also clean and lube all connections and check your Solenoid if you are equipped with one.
You can by-pass solenoid with car jumper from (+) on battery to (+) on starter. If it cranks, it's the key switch or solenoid at fault usually.

[Carl]

I did some testing tonight and I think I found the problem, but I would like to validate it with your thoughts.

I cleaned all the connections, but it did not make a difference. I measured battery voltage and then compared across the starter solenoid. With the ignition off, I had voltage on one side and 0 on the other side that leads to the starter. That's ok. I measured the voltage as my wife turned the key. The side that leads to the starter should then read about 13 volts, but it remained 0. I get the typical solenoid click, but no voltage.

I am getting another solenoind tomorrow.

What do you think?

Carl

[phatdaddy]

when checking voltage, are you using the ground the starter uses or just grounding tothe block? sounds like you found the problem, though. good luck

[Carl]

I was using the ground on the starter.

[phatdaddy]

good, i had a 115 evinrude once that the short ground strap from the starter to the block went bad. everything voltage checked out until i used the strap and them i lost power to the starter.

[Skools Out]

sounds like bad battery cables