98 Air Not Starting

[Jaxkiter]

Hey everyone....here's a quick run down. Had the boat out the other weekend and it ended up dying. Turns out the alternator belt snapped and it ran until the battery died. No big deal....had to leave the boat tied up at my buddy's pier overnight and came back the next day with a new belt and having left the battery on the charger all night. Went to start it and nothing. Ignition comes on, fuel pump clicks on and nothing. We tow it back to the ramp and I bring it back to the house. Try jumping it with my truck and sure enough it lights right off no problems. I think problem solved.

This weekend. I decided to be sure and started the boat several times on the trailer and let it run for a bit. Started first try no problem and then subsequent starts no problem. Get to the ramp today, put it in the water and again no problems. We run out to my buddies house and shut it down. Come back about 30 minutes later and nothing. Again, stereo works...showing 12+ volts and the fuel pump clicks on. Figure ok, it must be the battery. Run to the store and buy a new battery. Install it and same thing, nothing. Fuel pump clicks on but the engine won't even try to turn over.

The boat is currently high and dry on my buddies lift and I plan on checking into it some more tomorrow. Anyone have any ideas? I'm stumped. I should also mention that there is no kill switch....the previous owner apparently removed it. Thanks for the help.

[SilentSeven]

One suggestion - check the main cables for corrosion, tightness, etc.

Has symptoms of insufficient current to engage the starter but run everything else.

[shag]

Sounds like a Neutral safety switch went bad..... Does the fuel pump whirr up fast? or is it more of a slow wind...

[Jaxkiter]

I'd say the fuel pump whirrs up just like normal. No corrosion on the main cables at least on the battery end. We played with the battery connections while trying to start and still got nothing. They were a little loose, but like I had my buddy up there moving things around while trying to start and still nothing.

[jhersey29]

Loose wire on the ignition switch? Did you do anything else we.the problem 1st happened? Try to retrace your initial steps. Sure sounds like a loose wire that is occasionally making contact.

[jbach]

If it's not loose cables, check your voltage at the starter. Can you hear the starter solenoid click when turning the key to start?

[Jaxkiter]

Want to say last time this happened we checked and had voltage at the starter. Can't say that I remember hearing the starter solenoid click when turning the key. Key in and hear the fuel pump come on, then turn the key and literally nothing. Last weekend we pulled the electrical panel and it looked like all the connections were in. Also checked voltage coming from the ignition.

What's really strange to me is that it did this then when I got it home and jumped it no problems at all. Then a week later on the trailer no problems. Trying to start it in the water....and issues.

[SilentSeven]

Not sure from your thread....does it only do this when hot/warm? Wondering if you have a module or relay that get's flakey under heat.

[Jaxkiter]

My buddy went down this morning and it fired right up. So it is something going on when it's warmed up

[SilentSeven]

Good break - I think you're on the short path to finding it now.

Sorry, I'm not personally familiar enough with the e-boxes on GT40 motor to suggest what should be looked at first but I'm sure someone will chime in shortly. However, I'd start by examining all the engine connectors and look for water or corrosion around the plugs. Might get a lucky break and discover it's a connector, not a module.

[Jaxkiter]

Sounds good. So, unless anyone has any better advice. I'm going to replace some relays....ECM and fuel pump. Looks like part # R130011 or AR174 at NAPA. Seems like a likely culprit and it's cheap and easy enough. Any other relays I should be thinking about?

[Jaxkiter]

Problem solved! Starter solenoid relay was the problem. 20 bucks from O'Reillys and I'm ready to go again. Thanks for the help.

[jhersey29]

Did find find some relationship with running the boat with no alternator belt and frying the starter relay or just coincide?