40hp won't start

[allCAD]

I have a '61 40hp Sea Horse (rdl-23).

I have used it several times since acquiring it, but I went to take it out today and it won't start, or even try.

Last time I had it out, I killed the battery, so I had it on the charger, and now reconnecting it I don;t even get a 'click' when I turn the key. Other then disconnecting everything from the battery to get it into the garage for charging, I don't see what else I could have done to it in that time.

I've been out there for a half hour scratching my head, so I might as well have the experts here list off all the stupid things I may have forgotten about, although I've checked everything front to back a dozen times. The battery is charged, I touched my spare bilge wires to the points and it sparked, and even if it was insufficiently charged to start, I'd still get that click that tells you you have a dead battery. I turn the key and get straight nothing.

Sucks, because the bay is calm, sunny, and completely empty today. Was looking forward to getting out on what might be one of the last nice days of the year.

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: 40hp won't start

I'd take a wild guess and say that the battery is completely shot. Kind of hard to troubleshoot without a voltmeter to get some readings.

 

[oldcatamount]

Re: 40hp won't start

Try jumper cables directly from the battery to the starter selenoid. You may have a bad switch and this would show you that.

 

[boobie]

Re: 40hp won't start

Take the battery to a parts house and have it load tested. That way you'll know if it's bad or not.

 

[allCAD]

Re: 40hp won't start

Not much to update here as I ran through everything again, got the same result, and decided to spend the afternoon continuing to tear down the 60hp I'm rebuilding rather than tear what little hair I have left out trying to get to the bottom of this.

I think I am in denial over the battery, but I can only assume that everyone here is correct, and that it is dead for good. It came with the motor and has worked so well since I got it, I suppose I just assumed it was fairly new (Energizer) and would last. But I guess I can add the purchase of a new battery to the list. Great.

I will, of course, have it tested before I open my wallet, but it really is the only logical answer.

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: 40hp won't start

I have a '61 40hp Sea Horse (rdl-23).

I have used it several times since acquiring it, but I went to take it out today and it won't start, or even try.

Last time I had it out, I killed the battery, so I had it on the charger, and now reconnecting it I don;t even get a 'click' when I turn the key. Other then disconnecting everything from the battery to get it into the garage for charging, I don't see what else I could have done to it in that time.

I've been out there for a half hour scratching my head, so I might as well have the experts here list off all the stupid things I may have forgotten about, although I've checked everything front to back a dozen times. The battery is charged, I touched my spare bilge wires to the points and it sparked, and even if it was insufficiently charged to start, I'd still get that click that tells you you have a dead battery. I turn the key and get straight nothing.

Sucks, because the bay is calm, sunny, and completely empty today. Was looking forward to getting out on what might be one of the last nice days of the year.

Did I understand this correctly? Which points? Be careful that you don't put any power to the ignition system on those motors. You'll cook those coils faster than you can blink. You might check and see if you have spark to the plugs.

 

[boobie]

Re: 40hp won't start

Test, Don't Guess!!!

 

[allCAD]

Re: 40hp won't start

Test, Don't Guess!!!

Yes, of course. I'm off soon for the rest of the week, I'll be closing my golfing season down your way at PGA National for a few days, but when I return I will have the battery properly tested, and if need be, purchase a new one so I can get the boat out hopefully a few more times for some fall fishing before it is storage time.

Zephyr, I was referring to the battery points itself, not anywhere on the motor, and it was completely disconnected from everything else at the time. Not much in the way of an answer to anything, I was just all out of ideas at the time and was trying to chase the crazies away.

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: 40hp won't start

Oh okay cool. You scared me for a moment there.

I would check and make sure all your electrical connections are clean too. Also check the ignition system over and make sure it's up to parr. Clean and re-gap the points if necessary.

 

[registeroot]

Re: 40hp won't start

could you post pics of the front of your motor with the hood off please?

 

[allCAD]

Re: 40hp won't start

could you post pics of the front of your motor with the hood off please?

Ask and ye shall receive. Here are all 4 sides just so no one gets left out.