wont turn over at times

[agaldamez]

When i try to start my boat it does nothing. I continue to turn the key and I hear the engine to try to turn over a few seconds, I stop and try again nothing, keep trying and it finally turns over and starts.
I shut it off and it seems to start easier once I get I get it going.

what could be the problem?

 

[Fun Times]

Re: wont turn over at times

Hi there, Is there any chance you could take a lengthy video of your engine starting procedure/troubles to help gain an idea of what's actually happening?

If you can, Have the engine hatch open and try to show what's going on at the helm area with things like the gauges, key, throttle handle, and finally the engine.

 

[makonnen]

Re: wont turn over at times

The start of any diagnosis is to understand the systems invovled and check the easy simple stuff first before diving in deeper. Here's what I would do in the order I would do it:

1.
Check for loose connection, corrosion at the battery terminals ... tighten anyways

2.
Check for loose connection, corrosion at the starter slave solenoid located near the throttle body / carb usually - tighten anyways

3.
Check for loose connection, corrosion at the start solenoid

4.
Check engine ground

5.
Check, remove, clean, brush, sand all connections at battery, engine ground

6.
Put a voltmeter across the battery. The battery should read 12.4 - 12.8volts BEFOER the engine is cranked. Then have someone crank the engine, the voltage should drop to 11.X volts or so. If the voltage drops BELOW 10V ... you have a weak battery. So in that case, is the battery bad? Charging system not charging? If the battery volts DOES NOT drop, or drops too little and the starter did not actuate ... check the starter slave solenoid operation, check the starter solenoid operation ... give the starter solenoid at the starter a tap while cranking.

7.
Time to dig deeper. If voltage drop is correct, starter is actuating but motor is still not turning over ... uh-oh. Remve accessory belt and hope that an accessory is holding it back - not likely.

8.
If that doesn't help - it likely won't - pull spark plugs, check for water in cylinders.

 

[Bondo]

Re: wont turn over at times

The start of any diagnosis is to understand the systems invovled and check the easy simple stuff first before diving in deeper. Here's what I would do in the order I would do it:

1.
Check for loose connection, corrosion at the battery terminals ... tighten anyways

2.
Check for loose connection, corrosion at the starter slave solenoid located near the throttle body / carb usually - tighten anyways

3.
Check for loose connection, corrosion at the start solenoid

4.
Check engine ground

5.
Check, remove, clean, brush, sand all connections at battery, engine ground

6.
Put a voltmeter across the battery. The battery should read 12.4 - 12.8volts BEFOER the engine is cranked. Then have someone crank the engine, the voltage should drop to 11.X volts or so. If the voltage drops BELOW 10V ... you have a weak battery. So in that case, is the battery bad? Charging system not charging? If the battery volts DOES NOT drop, or drops too little and the starter did not actuate ... check the starter slave solenoid operation, check the starter solenoid operation ... give the starter solenoid at the starter a tap while cranking.

7.
Time to dig deeper. If voltage drop is correct, starter is actuating but motor is still not turning over ... uh-oh. Remve accessory belt and hope that an accessory is holding it back - not likely.

8.
If that doesn't help - it likely won't - pull spark plugs, check for water in cylinders.

Ayuh,... Agreed,... I'm thinkin' the Answer is somewhere in 1 through 6,...

 

[agaldamez]

Re: wont turn over at times

First of thanks for the help. After the advice here and also using the following document with a meter. Its come down to a bad starter. I removed it and got it tested and its bad.

My question is what brand should i use.

Mercury mercruiser

Sierra

Arco

Mallory.

Does anyone have a opinion.

Thanks

 

[stonyloam]

Re: wont turn over at times

Since nothing happens (no click), probably either the ignition switch, the Y/R wire going to the slave solenoid or the solenoid. With the voltmeter on the terminal of the slave solenoid with the r/y wire, see if there is any voltage when you turn the key to start. No= bad switch, wire or connection at switch. Yes= bad connection at slave terminal or bad slave solenoid.

 

[achris]

Re: wont turn over at times

first of thanks for the help. After the advice here and also using the following document with a meter. Its come down to a bad starter. I removed it and got it tested and its bad.

My question is what brand should i use.

Mercury mercruiser 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th choice

sierra 6th choice

arco 5th choice

mallory. very very last choice

does anyone have a opinion.

Thanks

hth

 

[makonnen]

Re: wont turn over at times

Just make sure its not the starter slave solenoid located near the throttle body. I had the exact symptoms and it turned out to be the starter slave sol and not the starter solenoid or starter.

I agree with achris, Mercruiser would be my first choice by a longshot.

 

[NHGuy]

Re: wont turn over at times

Also the OE Mercruiser can be rebuilt over and over and over...

 

[agaldamez]

Re: wont turn over at times

Thanks for the help, all the help on the sight is amazing!!! Its running yessss!!!!