F225 won't start - PLS HELP

mattttt25

Commander
Joined
Sep 29, 2002
Messages
2,661
2002 Yamaha F225. Boat was in the water and it ran fine two weeks ago. Pulled it and on the trailer, brought it home to do some work. What I did:

1. Changed oil and filter
2. Changed lower unit oil
3. Changed water pump and associated parts
4. Installed 2 new batteries
5. Installed new zinc on lower unit
6. Detailed boat, painted bottom
7. Installed new scuppers

Put the muffs on today hoping to fire her up. No go. All I get when I turn the key is a loud click originating from the top of the engine. Sometimes I may get 2-3 clicks, but that's all. I can hear a pump running for a few seconds in the pre-ignition setting of the key (fuel pump?). But when I turn the key, just that single click.

Other symptom- my tilt/trim function seems very slow and labored, almost like the battery is low. But batteries went on today and run everything else just fine.

What I've done- I cleaned the battery terminals again. No help. I checked voltage where they connect to the engine and I got 12 volts. I started to follow the manual and checked the neutral switch, the shift cut off switch, etc. for continuity, but I gave up assuming it has to be something simple. I did check all the fuses at the relays and they are good.

I keep going through my head and have to assume that it is related somehow to something i've done in the past 2 weeks. So it has to be simple. But who knows. I'm afraid it may be a starter, but I wonder how/why it randomly went while sitting in my driveway.

Any suggestions, ideas? I'll look at anything at this point, boat was supposed to go back in the water tomorrow... :(
 

micel

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Apr 11, 2007
Messages
161
Re: F225 won't start - PLS HELP

The only thing you did that has anything to do with the running would be the batteries.I'd try connecting another starter battery directly.What about a reset switch?New charged battery should have 13.5 volts not 12.
 

mattttt25

Commander
Joined
Sep 29, 2002
Messages
2,661
Re: F225 won't start - PLS HELP

Thanks... yup, I'm an idiot. I checked and found a huge voltage drop at the engine when I tried to start it. The click was the starter that had just enough juice to pop up and engage the flywheel before it died in place.

When i went back to trace cables and looked where the battery switch is located (for the thousandth time), i found out that while I connected 3 leads to the negative terminal, I had simply forgot to connect one.

Engine fired right up as it should have. Thanks-
 
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