Starting issues - Anyone had this one before?

[ponycar]

I have a '05 196 with the 330 Excaliber engine. Since I pulled it from it's winter lay up I've had a recurring issue that I can't seem to figure out because it has come and gone sporadically.

Issue - I connect the battery and then put my code in and all electronics (bilge, radio, exhaust fan, ect) work just fine. I then proceed in hitting start for a second time to fire the motor and from what it sounds like from the top to top rear of the engine in hire a loud click noise then all my electronics go out. The only way I have found to get everything back is to disconnect the negative terminal and then retry the sequence again (flipping the toggle switch to all on below the throttle and then inputting my code). Somehow this has gotten me out of a bind a few times including today while on the water, although today I had to repeat the sequence for roughly 30-45 mins before the engine finally quit the clicking non-sense and decided to fire up. The strange part is that once it seems to have run for a while I can't get it to not start again, coincidence?

Thoughts on a solution to the problem at hand?

Thanks for any and all input.

Scott C.

[Chexi]

I don't know the answer to your question (except a guess of a bad starter solenoid), but I thought it was interesting that we have 2 Scott C's in Dallas with Nautiques.

[GoBig]

If its not your battery, sounds like a loose ground on your engine block. I had this issue a few years back with my EX330.

[Nautiquehunter]

I agree with gobig sounds like a bad connection on the main battery cables. Take apart all terminal connections pos and neg make sure they are clean and tight. If that doesn't fix her try a different battery. Sometimes batteries will short out internally when you try to pull max power out.

[chief351]

To the OP - I had the same situation last week which was my first run since winter layup last November 16th. We skied for about 2 hrs and we never shut the boat off until the 2 hr mark. We floated for about 20 minutes and then she wouldn't start. The noise/problem you describe is exactly how I would describe what happened to me. I checked connections/fuses/wiring/fluids etc as best I could without any tools. As well I took the water bowl off and reseated the gasket and unplugged the connector on the starter and blew it out (didn't notice anything wrong with it). She started up a couple tries later.

The check engine light came on and stayed on during this episode but went out (not exactly sure when it went out) around the time it started.

We skied another 20 minutes and then I put her on the trailer and turned it on and off 4 times without any problems or CEL.

I should be going out later this week, hoping all is well. Good luck to the OP and report back so we can compare notes if needed.

Thanks to everyone who chimed in with ideas.
Chief351

[keegan]

any news on this starting issue? is it all fixed up now?

[ponycar]

I've been out of town for a little while and plan on pulling the boat out and working on it tonight after the Texas/Florida game, will keep you guys posted. Thanks again for all the input, I'm praying it is a loose wire.

Scott

[ponycar]

Keegan - I saw your post regarding starting issues that sounds strangely similiar to mine, by chance did you try the starter solution already? I pulled my boat out this evening and on the first try I got the same "click", although once I reconnected the battery it fired right up....subsequent attempts (5) to recreate the problem have been unsuccessful although I know the first time I try to restart while on the water the problem will re-emerge!

[keegan]

i have not yet replaced my starter. i think i am going to though as that seems like it is my/ our issue from what the good people around here are saying. i am not completely convinced this is the solution, but the $150ish for a new starter is an easy and cheap way to guarantee i wont be broke down on the lake. if i have the same issue after the new starter i will keep looking.

let me know if you figure anything out, i will do the same.

[jasper]

The single-click description indicates it could be the starter relay, though all the electronics going off baffle me. Start with the advice above on ensuring the battery terminals and all cable connections are clean and solid, including the ground. With out sufficient voltage, the relay won't relay. When my relay started to go out, it would start fine with a cold engine. After running a while and shutting it off, it would not start, and I had the single click. The engine heat getting to the relay may have had something to do with that symptom. The symptoms were sporadic at first, then became more regular, and finally it just would not start.

[ponycar]

Jasper - I searched the 5.7L parts manual and all I could find under relay was part number R130012, is this the part you are referring to? I was thinking the relay looked more like the back of the solenoid with the 3-4 terminals.

[jasper]

Check this link for a picture and to purchase at nautiqueparts.com:

http://www.nautiqueparts.com/search....=starter+relay

[jerry44]

This has happened to me several time. It was always corroded battery cables. You might check your fuse link if you have fuses.

I have a '05 196 with the 330 Excaliber engine. Since I pulled it from it's winter lay up I've had a recurring issue that I can't seem to figure out because it has come and gone sporadically.

Issue - I connect the battery and then put my code in and all electronics (bilge, radio, exhaust fan, ect) work just fine. I then proceed in hitting start for a second time to fire the motor and from what it sounds like from the top to top rear of the engine in hire a loud click noise then all my electronics go out. The only way I have found to get everything back is to disconnect the negative terminal and then retry the sequence again (flipping the toggle switch to all on below the throttle and then inputting my code). Somehow this has gotten me out of a bind a few times including today while on the water, although today I had to repeat the sequence for roughly 30-45 mins before the engine finally quit the clicking non-sense and decided to fire up. The strange part is that once it seems to have run for a while I can't get it to not start again, coincidence?

Thoughts on a solution to the problem at hand?

Thanks for any and all input.

Scott C.

[ponycar]

Not sure what I ultimately did to "fix" the issue beyond checking cables and cleaning battery terminals, although two times out so far and no hesitation to start whatsoever. Thanks again for all the advice, glad it was something simple.

Scott