Yamaha Outboard not getting power

[boomtuck]

My father-in-law has a 19' Winner center console with an outboard 175hp Yamaha 6-cyl engine (unfortunately that's all the info. I know about the motor).<br /><br />The boat was bought used and we've taken it a few times but have had a few small problems with the battery. We replaced the battery with a brand new one but now the motor (as well as the instrument panel) isn't getting any juice from the battery. You can literally connect the positive and try and "spark" the negative by clicking it against the negative terminal or metal without any type of spark. We know the battery is good b/c we tested it but for some reason the actual motor isn't getting any 'juice.'<br /><br />Anyone have any suggestions? Any simple things I should check? Any easy fixes that you guys have experienced in the past? <br /><br />I am completely a noob when it comes to boats (and this message board) so please try to make things easy for me!<br /><br />Thanks in advance for any and all help and suggestions.<br /><br />David

 

[bigbrownbuku]

Re: Yamaha Outboard not getting power

start by trying jumper cables. first connect just a negative to the same spot the negative battery to engine is on now. then do the same with just the positive jumper. lastly try both. as each is connected try starting the engine.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Yamaha Outboard not getting power

sounds like a cead battery or a briken cable. be careful sparking terminal near batteries. hate to have a noob see what a wet cell battery explosion looks like. I had been in the business some years before I got to see my first. and yes battery acid does cause temporary hair loss.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Yamaha Outboard not getting power

You said you tried to "spark" the cable by touching positive to negative. This should have been a substantial spark. Don't do that any more! You didn't mention whether the engine starts or not so we must assume it doesn't. Remove, clean (thoroughly) and tighten the battery cables at both ends, not just the battery end. If that doesn't solve the problem replace the battery with one that is known good. Like the one from your car. If that doesn't work its time to break out the voltmeter and do some voltage tests. 1) Check the main engine fuse. 2) Battery voltage 3) 12V at the starter solenoid, 4) 12v at the 12V terminal of the ignition switch. 5) 12v at the 12V feed to the instrument panel. If you don't have or know how to use a voltmeter you need outside help. A service manual specific to your engine will guide you through these tests if you want to do them yourself.

 

[ddog]

Re: Yamaha Outboard not getting power

You said you quit getting juice to the engine when you replaced the battery, correct? Did you have juice before you replaced the battery? Sounds like you have forgotten to reattach a wire to the battery, or like Rodbolt said a broken wire or bad connection. Generally most boats with a single battery set up have more than one wire going to the battery terminals. Depending on your set up, You will always have two Big wires(2-4 guage) one Positive and One negative for the engine, and you should have one or more smaller wires that power accessories,instrument panel, bilge pump etc.Look around in the battery area for a wire thats not attached either with a ring terminal on it, or just the remains of a terminal(like the crimp part).If the terminal broke changing batteries, the ring part will still be on one of the batteries depending on when it broke. Any accessory wire attached directly to the battery should be fused at the battery. Some times in additon to the main battery cables there will be one wire that leads to a distribution block or fuse panel. These things are tough to call over the web since you can't poke your head inside to look around. Also on older boats there may be wires left behind from past accessories, so always confirm where a wire is going and what its for before hooking it to the battery.