'99 PAN Python won't start!

[Miljack]

Hey guys,
I need the forum's help here. I got the new (for us) boat (99 Pro Air Naut. Python engine) home to give it a run, and all I can get the starter to do is "click-click-click." Checked the normal things,
1. battery ok
2. replaced the solenoid (ford type on the back of the engine).
3. I even pulled the aux. pump off the front of the engine to turn the engine over by hand to make sure nothing catastrophic had happened. It turns over fine.
4. Used a remote starter switch on the solenoid, and directly on the starter, still can't get the starter to turn.
5. I also replaced the starter, because when bench tested, the starter did not "throw" the bendix out of the starter housing.

Anyone with ideas??? Any help very much appreciated...

thanks,
Jack



I'm stumped at this point, and I'm looking for anything we might be missing. The boat has run recently(not by me), and I'm wondering if I'm missing something stupid! I haven't owned a boat recently, and never an inboard ski boat.

[Rick]

RE:

Check that the shift is in neutral. If it is check the neutral switch, Also check the emergency cutoff to make sure its OK. Good Luck

[Miljack]

All of the safety switches functional

Rick,
thanks for the reply, all of the safety switches are functioning properly. I jumped the safety (dead-man switch), and it seems that all that switch cuts off is the fuel pump(s). The neutral safety switch also works, and that one seems to cut the power to the solenoid (relay) so that the starter won't even turn over.

The boat tries to turn the starter, the solenoid(s) are clicking like it's a dead battery or loose cable.

I'll double check the cables, but I am getting good voltage to the solenoid and starter now.

Just to clarify, this boat was worked on by a reputable dealer, then sat for a while (a few months). I bought it, and had to get it home, about a 800 mile trailer trip. I am thinking something rattled loose or sloppy on the trip home.

thanks,
Jack

[Rick]

RE: All of the safety switches functional

I would try taking all of the sparkplugs out and try turning it over. It is possible taht you have water or fuel or oil in the cylinders thereby hydrolocking the cylinders. If it still doesn't turn over I would run an ammeter in line between the battery and solenoid. Your battery may have a bad cell. any autoparts store can test this with a load meter. Also if you got a rebuilt starter I would test it again. One final thought, Try using jumper cables and hook the battery directly to the solenoid. Good Luck

[Miljack]

Rick,
thanks again for your tips.
I did remove the plugs, and then removed the aux. pump on the front of the crank pulley and turned the engine over with the pulley bolt very easily. I had the battery tested at a parts store, so the battery could be bad (not sure the guy doing the test knew what he was doing, but he did do a "load test" in a machine with a timer).
I'll give the ammeter test a try in the to see if maybe the cable ends have vibrated loose. I am showing 15 volts at the starter terminal (GM style starter solenoid directly on starter motor).

I thought about the jumpers, but it will be a TIGHT fit with that engine/boat combo. The starter sits very low in the opening for the engine compartment. I could give it a try, nothing else is working!

thanks,
Jack

[Hollywood]

Is there a fuse somewhere on that engine like on the back of the old 351? Cause when changing batteries sometimes it blows on the first crank. It's gotta be electrical, so I'm guessing blown fuse somewhere since you've already checked everything else I can think of.

[rocco]

wont start

I had the same problem on my 84 Nautique.
and it was the starter Relay..Its like a fuse,,,you may not have one on that year????????????????..............

[Laptom]

RE: wont start

If it's the starter relay you can start the boat directly by turning ignition on and make a shortcut at your starter between the 12V power cable (big 12V from battery) and the 12V control cable (small one from the starter relay). Know what your doing with this!! Because it's possible to mess a lot of things up.
Or leaf the ignition on off and try to turn the starter over by this procedure...

[ssaxet]

RE: wont start

Be sure and check the trans neutral safty switch... by pass it and see if it helps...
mine had my boat out of commision for a couple of days...

[mike-d]

trans safty switch

I would jump the terminals on the trans safty switch. My guess this switch went bad, or is going bad. My friend had the same issues with his 99 san. I think it cost 30 dollars to replace, and its easy to do.

Mike

IE: his boat would start, run, once turned off, it didnt start again, etc. etc. once the switch was jumped, it started right up. ever since he replaced the switch, the boat starts up everytime.

[Miljack]

Mike,
will the trans-safety switch allow power to the starter? I thought it would just not allow any power to the starter at all. I am getting power to the starter, and the solenoid(s) are clicking away...

I did disconnect the trans.-safety switch, and it wouldn't do anything at all when the key is turned...

thanks,
Jack

[mike-d]

did you jump the two terminals and tried starting it? try this method, then you know if it doesnt start this way, you can scratch the trans switch off your list.

[M3Fan]

Looks like you've done all the right troubleshooting. If you had dirty clamps or cable problems you might get full voltage but not enough juice to turn the engine over- very possible. Don't discount the battery either. Full voltage doensn't take that out of the picture either. Is the drive gear from the starter making contact with the flywheel?

[Miljack]

Thanks for all the reponses guys,
I have been using a jumper cable attached to a running vehicle to bypass a suspect battery, but, I if the battery has a shorted out cell, that wouldn't fix that would it? The only reason I am not VERY suspect of the battery is because I had it "load" tested at a autoparts house. I will pull it again and take it to a different store to COMPLETELY take the battery out of the picture!

thanks again,
Jack

[mrese]

First post you said the starter was clicking. Was it the starter itself or the starter relay making the sound? Is that the only sound that takes place or can you here the starter spinning but not engaging as M3 Fan mentioned. You need to verify wether or not you have adaquate power at the starter connections at all times. If you do, then you are wasting your time jumping safety switchs, kill switches and relays. You have 15 volts (that is one kick*** system with no voltage drop all the way to the starter) But does it stay there. It should drop at least a volt or two when you try to start the engine.
1.) Use your mulitmeter to check the voltage thruout the system. Measure the voltage where the large cable connects to the starter with the key in the "run" and "start" position. If it is less than 10 volts, Disconnect the large cable from the starter and measure the voltage there with the key at the "run" and "start" postion. Sometimes it is possible for a faulty starter to pull a battery down low enough to give the appearence of a bad battery cell when trying to start.

2) It is possible to have the starter check out on the bench test and still be a faulty starter. Since you know there is a problem with the Bendix gear, have a friend Tap on the starter with something heavy like a hammer while you attempt to start the engine.

3) If you attempt to jump the starter relay with a screwdriver, prepare yourself for a spark show. If the relay is bad, with the key on, the engine will start to turn immediatley when you jump the terminals. Try to minimize your spark time.

4) Just disconnecting the trans safety switch won't do it. Put both ignition wires to the same terminal ( easiest method I think) on the switch to bypass it. The safety switch will prevent the engine from turning over, while the ignition kill switch (depending on how it is wired up) will allow the engine to turn, just not fire up.

5) If you have troubleshot everything and nothing seems wrong, try to hang test a buddy's starter and see what you get.