battery issues

[1_led_zeppelin]

I have a 85 HP force and when I hook up the battery I can lift and lower the motor. If I leave it connected it won't start when I get to the lake. If I then disconnect and reconnect it will usually start then. Can cruise lake and jump in and when I try to start it same problem. Do I just need new pos and neg cables or more to it? Thanks

 

[mfkadz]

Clean the battery terminals and connectors well. Make sure they are tight. Then try again.

If there's green or other corrosion you can soak the cable end in Coke. That will clean all the crap from there.

mike

 

[gm280]

I concur with mfkadz's assessment. Every time you remove the battery cables from the battery and reinstall then again, you actually clean the post and terminals a little and get enough current flow to start the engine. So I would remove the battery terminals and clean both the battery posts and cable connections and install them again. But I would also follow up with the connections at the engine as well including the ground cable... That should make it start if you keep the battery charged and in good working order... JMHO!

 

[mfkadz]

thanks GM.

A way to know if the ground is weak is the connector will get burning hot. Ask me how I know ;-)

mike

 

[Frank Acampora]

lightly sand the terminals on the wires--you can use emery or a woman's nail file. Then, before connecting the cables put a stainless lock washer under the wire terminals. The lock washer will always bite through any corrosion and insure a positive connection.

 

[Jiggz]

Let me see if I read the OP correctly.

If the battery is left connected after one start or running of the motor and then stopped, it will not re-start. When you said it will not re-start does that mean:

When you turn the ignition key nothing happens not even a clicking sound from the solenoid? Or,

The motor will not even crank over but there is a clicking sound from the solenoid. Or,

There is clicking sound from the solenoid and motor cranks over but very slow to fire up.

 

[1_led_zeppelin]

Brand new battery last yr and jiggz nothing happens when I turn the key. No clicks nothin

 

[Jiggz]

In that case, since the motor will start when you disconnect and reconnect the battery, try cleaning the ground cable (negative cable) that connects to the engine block. It's important you clean it until it is shiny (wire brrush or fine sand paper) and also the mating surface it connects to. If you have dielectric grease apply sparingly to the cable terminal and the engine block for moisture protection. Apply the same to the battery cables both the positive and the negative terminals. Try again.