no crank (starter) on 2000 Ski Nautique

[nzltmp]

Was launching the boat yesterday and it started on the trailer. after about 30 seconds of running i shut it off as we were waiting for the rest of the folks to show up. Upon getting into the boat it now has a no crank condition.

Ensured trans was in neutral. This am disconnected the wires at the trans neutral sw, and connected both wires directly together. No start sill.

Battery voltage is +12 volts (voltmeter across battery). terminals are clean and tight.

Validated power to the PCM under the dash... have power to it, and the start fuse is not popped.

Validated the three Large red/ button fuses at the back of the engine are not popped (60 at top, 15 in the middle, 12 1/2 at bottom)


Believe the newly installed key pad is good as i enter our code then press start and the right orange light on the key pad lights up. Press start again and the left orange light on the key pad lights up. When attempting to crank/Pressing start button the red check engine light (middle of dash) dims slightly...concluding key pad is working.

I can "feel" the "outer" of the two black/square relays clicking (located at back of engine, just above the round relay at the back of the engine). Believe the one next to it is the Fuel pump relay.

The ignition/round relay at the back of the engine has 4 terminals;
* One has red battery cable to it. on the same terminal is the red battery cable that connects to the starter solenoid. I have battery voltage at this terminal as well as at the battery solenoid terminal with the ign pad not powered up. after entering the user code (in accessory or normal mode) i have around 5 volts at these terminals)

* at the other larger terminal there is a primary ( ??) yellow/red wire (goes to the primary side of the starter solenoid, and a purple wire) Dont seem to have any voltage at any time (power to keypad or not). because of this I have no power at the yellow/red wire terminal on at the starter solenoid ...assuming the round relay feeds the starter solenoid terminal. Suspect that this is the issue, as i assume ya have to have primary feed/power to energize this external solenoid.

* one smaller terminal has two wires..a purple w/red tracer and a brown. Not sure what these are for.

* last terminal has a yellow and red wire by itself. assume this is from the neutral safety switch (NSS).


here are some pics of the above items




appreciate any leads you can offer.

trying to find a technical assistance number for Correct Craft but no luck. Please advise if ya have a number.

[nzltmp]

was thinking the round relay to no avail. was thinking the relay may be bad not allowing battery voltage to the yellow/red and purple wires...which feeds the starter solenoid.
Still no work....

[mpost]

If the red cable from the battery is dropping to 5 volts when the keypad is activated, something is pulling down the voltage. did you check the battery at this time also? I believe that post on the relay should read the same as your battery positive unless you have corroded cables or something loose.

[nzltmp]

update...

could hear the PCN (under dash) clicking as i pressed the start button. validated 12 volts coming out of the (PCN terminal 8). followed cabling to back of engine validating 12v at the disconnect of the harness. then still 12v to the neutral safety sws. Have same coming out of the other side of the NSS. That yellow/red wire goes to a single terminal on the relay (have 12v there as well when start 'button is pressed).

i have same voltage at the larger relay terminal for the yellow/red and purple wire. that yellow/red wire goes to the primary of the starter solenoid....but i dont have 12V when pressing the start button!. CHECKED resistance of yellow/red wire and it appears good. still no battery voltage at the other end (the starter end) of that wire! so i created a new 10 guage wire in essence replacing the yellow/red wire from the relay to the starter. SAME RESULT!

what the heck???

Time for a captain and diet,,,,,and take a ride on the Harley to clear my head

[nzltmp]

update.....used jumper cables...to negative side of battery and to rear of engine (where the negative cable is attached to the engine). now hear the relay click and have 12 v at the yellow/red wire (disconnected from starter solenoid) when pressing start (injectors also cycle). But only have 5 volts when connecting the yellow/red wire to the starter solenoid and pressing start. Not understanding "why".

cleaned rear negative battery terminal but have same result. Negative connection at the battery is tight.

Can use direct battery voltage (from the + battery) to the starter terminal and the starter spins....but engine does not crank (so starter is free wheeling/not engaging the flywheel). Do have a new starter solenoid on the starter.

still stumped, as would think if its a negative battery terminal that bad, using a jumper cable from the negative post to the engine ground, i should be able to cycle the starter by pressing the key pad.

[nzltmp]

SOLVED.

Negative battery cable was bad.

Thats a first for me.

How in the world does a negative battery cable go bad?????

[hal2814]

Glad you solved it. I had a positive cable go bad in my 95 Super Sport. In my case, it just corroded over time. Even marine cables can do that given 20-25 years.