Standard "Won't Start"

[midwesttex]

So I just got back from getting stranded on the lake :x . Here is what happened. The boat was running great and starting right up. We stopped for a while and hung out with the radio on. went to start the boat, tried twice and it sounded like the engine was turnign over but it never fired up. Then I went to try it again and nothing. I guess i should say it is a 88 SN 2001. When I turn the key I hear one click from the engine (maybe starter area). Volts are low but I hooked it up to the marina's jumper box and nothing.

What does anyone think? I read some older post. Looks like I need to check my cables and selonoid, anything else? I have had some trouble with the engine fireing up last weekend, but if I gave it some gas and kept trying it would eventually start. I also checked my alternator belt and it was loose so I fixed that.

Thanks in advance.

[Rick]

RE: Standard "Won

IO would check the ground and hot wire at the battery. If they are OK I would hit the solenoid with a screwdriver handle and try it again. I'm betting on the ground at the battery.

[83sn2001]

RE: Standard "Won

Ditto on the ground for the batttery. It could be the solenoid,but check your connections first.They are free.Also check the ground at the engine while you're at it.

[surroundsound64]

Copy all that above. Mine would do that. Also, there could be a lose conection there on your throttle or prop knob thing. If the batt. terminals aren't the problem, and you smack the crap out of the solenoid and starter, try jiggling the throttle and prop disengager knob. Or you could have a worn out starter completely. You can get it rebuilt for around $25. I had mine done 2 weeks ago.

[midwesttex]

So I checked my connections at the battery, they looked good. I went ahead and cleaned them out with sand paper anyway. Still not starting. I hooked it up to my truck and let it sit for about 10-20 minutes and still nothing. I tapped the solenoid a little and nothing (maybe i should hit it harder). I also jumped the solenoid with 2 screwdrivers, nice spark but that was about it. I did think about the throttle being stuck and played with that a bit, but that didn't help. Today I am going to pick up a multi-meter, a new battery, and a charger, hopefully the meter will help me figure it out.

Any suggestions on what type of battery to get? Also, can autozone check my starter if I pull it off? One other thing i just thought of; when the boat is hooked up to my truck, the boat is only showing 10 volts.

[SNMike]

I'm betting that it's the battery. They give zero notice when they die or develop a dead short in one of the cells. When there are too far gone, jumping it from a Mack truck won't work. Just MHO. Good luck. :grin: Mike

[surroundsound64]

The batt I just bought for my boat is an Everstart from Wal-mart. As much as I hate to go to Wal-mart, not only because it's a hassle, but they outsource US jobs, it's a good battery. It's one of the Everstar Maxx or Extreems or something. Over 1000 cranking amps. Just go look for a heavy duty batt. It'll run around $60.

But take a baseball bad and hit that solenoid really hard first. Just to check. lol. Seriously.

[Timcallaghan]

If you read about my post on 94 SNOB won`t start I had similar problems if you wont to check you starter grab a screw driver and short between the red positive wire and the control wire which is yellow and red on mine this will tell you if it is your starter motor because the engine should turn over. Remember that it will also not turn over if the battery is stuffed. Of course check all your earth points are clean including the one on the engine block. If the starter turns over then trace back to the start solinoid on the back a new one cost me $69 aust.