1995 Super Sport Nautique GT-40 5.8 randomly will not start

[Maumee Super Sport]

This has happened to me a couple of times now and I am not sure were to start trouble shooting the problem. Prior to starting the boat I push in the ignition button, turn on the blower. After a few minutes go to turn the key and NOTHING!!! Motor does not turn over, battery reads 12 volts, everything seems to be working but will not start. I try several times and get the same thing - Nothing. Then randomly after several attempts it will fire up and run like a champ.

It happened to me last night - I flagged a boater down, tied up and started towing me. I randomly tried to turn over the key and it fired up like there was not even a problem.

Any suggestions?

Thanks, Troy

[Rock Toy]

Yep, look into your kill switch. Might be malfunctioning. I bypassed mine a while ago. Alternately, it could be your starter solenoid. They sometimes tend to stick when old.

[skijones]

Also, check the neutral safety switch.

[teamseal]

Also Check the fuse holder that is on the positive side of the battery. Check battery connections for clean and tight.
Along those years we had a few bad battery cables, pull on them and make sure they are swedged properly.

[nautique955]

1995 Ski Nautique with the same problem

I have had this problem for several years and just lived with it. I have tried cleaning all the cables and made sure I have good connections. I even took off the starter and cleaned it. However I still have the problem. Sometimes I don't see it work weeks and then it seems I have to try the key 10 times to get it to go. Have you found your issue? I have friend who has a 1996 Ski Nautique that has the same issue.

Mike

[nautique955]

I think I found it.

I did some testing and when the starter did not engage I found that I had 4.8 Volts on the Yellow wire with the red. This is the wire that engages the bendix on the starter. I also found that I had 12 volts on the top lug of the starter. Even though it was had to get the starter to fail to crank we kept trying until we got a failed start. At which time I tapped the starter lightly with a hammer and it began to crank. After another bunch of trys we got it to do it again and again after a slight tap it started. I took the starter off and took it to a rebuild shop. I will let you know if that fixes the problem but I am sure it will. A friend of mine has a 1996 with the same problem I think the starter on the GT-40 may have been bad in 95 and 96

Mike

[nautique955]

Ok Now I thing I found the problem

Ok it was not starter. It was the starter relay taht is under the EFI box. Put a new on in and it fixed it.

Good Luck