Interrmitant no start

[orsatti]

If the boat sits for a few days it cranks very slow and won't start, put jumpers on it and it starts fine until it sits for a while? New battery put in last year for this reason, the old one did fail the load test. Could the solinoid be faulty? Or is something drawing on the battery?

 

[jlinder]

Re: Interrmitant no start

If it is real slow after sitting for a while and the battery is good (might need to check it) then you have a drain somewhere.

Try disconnecting the battery and see if the problem reappears.

Another trick is to reconnect the battery and see if you get a little spark. That would be an indication of a current draw.

If it appears you have something draining the battery try isolating it. Maybe a bilge pump on automatic that drains it down?

Another trick is to disconnect the positive side of the battery and put a light bulb in series between the battery and positive lead. If the bulb glows you have a drain. You can disconnect wires one at a time (or remove fuses) until the light goes out.

 

[orsatti]

Re: Interrmitant no start

Thanks, the light bulb idea to check for draw sounds great.