Starting small issue

[TRDon]

I was on the lake today and the key would turn fine and smooth but the boat would not turn over. (93 sport) I could twist the key a few times and then it would turn over and start but I guess I am curious if it is the ignition switch or something else going out. Any thoughts before I replace the key switch? Could it be anything else?

[8122pbrainard]

RE: Starting small issue

TR, How are you on a volt meter? (or a friend) Ignition switchs are prone to failure (especially if you hang lots on the key chain) but it's best to check where you are loosing power. From the switch, power is feed back to the start relay and then to the starter solinoid. It could be one of those or even a dead spot in the starter. Get back to us regarding the volt meter and we can give you some more details.

[NCH2oSki]

RE: Starting small issue

Sounds like the starter relay to me, mine did the same.

[TRDon]

RE: Starting small issue

my concern is I will have to wait for it to be dead to check it again. I can tear it apart and try but if it is working at that particular minute, It will read normally. I dont have much on a keychain but I dont know about the previous owners, I just got this boat last year. At least either of the options can be hotwired or are cheap to replace though. I will look into it but I will gladly entertain any other thoughts on the matter.

[Laptom]

RE: Starting small issue

It's possible to hotwire everything when you're in trouble and it's just the switch. But it's not smart to say it on a public forum.
When you turn the switch, will the light come on? Does everything else seems normal (power to lights, stereo, etc)?

[TRDon]

RE: Starting small issue

Yes everything still works other than the starting function. Guages and lights all work fin in the on position.

The hotwiring is not a permanent fix. I was just stating that either would be easy enough to do on the lake or a river if I needed to. As dumb as it is to say or do on a forum, it is not a dumb as falling over a dam when you cant start your boat when it could be temporarily fixed I would think even a blind man could see that.

[JUST-IN-TIME]

RE: Starting small issue

sounds like bad key switch
try tightened the nut on it

[8122pbrainard]

RE: Starting small issue

TR, Just keep the jumper wire ready!! Glad it's working now but I do understand it's hard to troubleshoot when it is working.
I don't think we need to worry about discussing hot wiring a boat - the guys out there that we are concerned about already know how to do it!!

[Laptom]

RE: Starting small issue

But still...
If the ignition will be on and the starter won't turn, you could always hotwire the starter in isolation. This is quite easy; look for the starter on the engine, there is one thick wire (red) coming from the battery and a small (yellow/red) wire coming from the starter relais/ignition switch. Just hold a good thick screwdriver or something to these 2 connections. Make sure you DON"T touch the starter or other parts of the engine because they are grounded.
So if you're wakeboarding near a dam you could always start your engine.

But most likely it's a bad starter relais or wire(connection). I even saw bad ground on the starter relais before.

[knowscc]

Chances are, you have excessive wear on the brass pivot on the Teleflex control. With time, as the pivot continues to wear, it becomes more difficult to find neutral. If the transmission is not in neutral, the neutral safety switch opens this circuit and you experience a 'no start' situation. Try slowly moving the the control handle slightly aft of neutral, then forward, with the key in the start position and see if it cranks when you perform this test. If it cranks over, replace both brass pivots on the control.

[TRDon]

a couple of good points, especially the safety switch. I will try to play with it and see what I can come up with. I ohmed out the key switch and it checked out OK. It seemed odd that it was infinate ohms from common to start in the off position but in the on position it would be about 65 ohms. Of course it would be near 0 when turned to start too.

[NCH2oSki]

Go ahead and replace the starter relay, its cheap and I will almost bet you it will fix the problem. Just make sure to label the wires to get them back in the proper places.