Electric Problem '98 Ski Nautique; engine won't start

[Gunnin4six23]

'98 Ski Nautique, GT40
Was running fine, stopped to change skiers and wouldn't start. towed back to ramp.
Symptoms:
Turning the key produces a light beep and ignition light comes on light and fades. dash gages flicker slightly. Fuel pump does not wind up when key turned to on. Battery is fully charged. Battery terminals are clean and connections are tight. Appears no power (or very little) is reaching the engine.
Guessing there is an issue with dash ignition switch, but the faint light and clicks seem to suggest otherwise.

Any thoughts??

Thanks in advance!!

Phil

[charlesml3]

Sounds like a bad ground to me. If the battery is good and all of the positive connections are good, then start checking for a bad ground.

-Charles

[mpost]

You say the battery is fully charged? what does the voltage on the battery show across the poles when you turn the key on. A bad battery can show 12 or more volts under no load and drop to nothing when loaded.

[DLafont]

My '00 PAN did the same a couple summers ago. Changed relays at the back of the motor, that worked for a while. Turned out my lp fuel pump was bad, so had to change that.

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[DLafont]

My '00 PAN did the same a couple summers ago. Changed relays at the back of the motor, that worked for a while. Turned out my lp fuel pump was bad, so had to change that.

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[Gunnin4six23]

Thank you everyone for the feedback!

You say the battery is fully charged? what does the voltage on the battery show across the poles when you turn the key on. A bad battery can show 12 or more volts under no load and drop to nothing when loaded.

I was not positive (Sorry for the pun) that the battery was fully charged, only that the voltage read 12.5 even when i turned the key. But after your post, and before chasing grounds and switches, I double checked the battery and jumped it with my car (boat is on trailer in driveway) and the engine rolled over, so it appears I was wrong, the battery is drained. I am guessing that there was not enough juice to throw the relay and therefore nothing significant drawing on the battery to show a voltage drop. (but why were the dash lights dim or not at all with 12v???)
Battery is only 2 years old, I am guessing the OEM alternator has finally gone bad?
I plan to put a hose on the engine, start it and monitor the voltage on the battery to see if the alternator is working.
Any other suggestions??

[Gunnin4six23]

OK, I tried to jump it with my truck and all i got was the engine rolled over a couple of times then clicked. Gave it a few minutes while connected to running truck, worked the jumper connections and tried again with same result. Every time I tried i got a couple of weak rolls then click, like a weak/dead battery. (the battery charged a little during the process 12.6v)
It appears that all of the current is not making it to the starter/engine? Bad ground? Any suggestions on where to look first?

[NautiqueJeff]

I agree it sounds like a bad ground. It is very possible that if the battery cables are original, they have corrosion inside the rubber coatings at the terminal ends. I have replaced numerous battery cables in these boats over the years for just this issue. I would suggest that if you have enough slack, cut off the terminals at the battery end of the cables, strip the wire, and add new terminals. I bet you find tons of corrosion in there.

You might also check for a clean, tight connection where the negative cable connects to the engine block, although usually this isn't an issue.

[Gunnin4six23]

Thanks Jeff! I replaced one about 10 years ago, I tried to seal and tape it up good, but I bet moisture got in. I Will start there!

[Gunnin4six23]

I replaced the terminals and cleaned up the other wires (replaced one of the lugs) at the battery and cleaned the ground at the engine (it was actually very clean for being 21 years old). I also swapped the ignition switch in the dash as it was working hard.
Connected battery back up and she fired right up. Don't know whether it was the terminals or switch but it was one of them.
Thanks everyone for all your help!!
Phil