Engine Won't Start or Trim Up/down

[CaptRobbie]

Hello everyone,

I have a 2018 suzuki 140HP with roughly 40 hours on it. Love the engine. Just recently while offshore after turning it off, we tried to turn it back on and nothing would happen (and throttle/engine trims would not work). There was still power running successfully to our radio, GPS, etc. and both batteries show good charge. From what I've seen online, this could be a wiring/blown fuse issue, but can anyone please elaborate on how we could test these theories out? Luckily we were able to manually lift the engine by connecting batter charge directly to the tilt inside the engine.

Also of note: strangely enough, we used a test light on the engine and when the key was turned in the off position, it had power showing, but when we turned the ignition on, power went away (perhaps we were just doing something wrong here but I figured I'd mention in case this is an indicator of anything).

Thanks in advance!

 

[Scott Danforth]

First, welcome aboard

Second, check your battery cable connections (all of them, at the battery, the block, the starter and the slave solenoid). they should be clean, shiny and tight. clean enough for your mother-in-law to eat off them.

if you have wing nuts, remove them, and throw them overboard. then get real nuts and a wrench.

you have a bad connection somewhere.

it only takes very little power to get your radio and GPS to come on. it takes a lot of power to run tilt or a starter.

 

[CaptRobbie]

First, welcome aboard

Second, check your battery cable connections (all of them, at the battery, the block, the starter and the slave solenoid). they should be clean, shiny and tight. clean enough for your mother-in-law to eat off them.

if you have wing nuts, remove them, and throw them overboard. then get real nuts and a wrench.

you have a bad connection somewhere.

it only takes very little power to get your radio and GPS to come on. it takes a lot of power to run tilt or a starter.

Thanks for the warm welcome, Scott, and thank you for the advice!
I can tell you right now that our battery terminals definitely have some rust and corrosion on them (took a big wave over the bow and water hit the batteries). We have been able to slightly clean with a wire brush but there is still rust. One also does have a wingnut, so I will be doing that next.

My only concern is, if the above does not fix it, is it perhaps corrosion somewhere down the wire that leads to the engine, and if so, is this something I'd have to most likely see a mechanic about (because as I'm sure you've noticed, I'm far from a pro here).

Thanks again for the response!

 

[Scott Danforth]

chuck up a wire brush in the drill

or grab 100 grit sand paper

 

[CaptRobbie]

chuck up a wire brush in the drill

or grab 100 grit sand paper

Thank you, Scott! Going to attempt this weekend and will let you know how it turns out.