Starter Problem I think!
 

Well I pulled the boat out of the garage to see if it would start. And it did not! Oh, well, anyways could someone give me some direction/help. When I turn the key nothing happens. No sound, no low battery churning, nothing. My batter is fully charged, all other electronics work and the battery guage is reading, so it would appear there is power at the ignition switch. Is it safe to assume that the starter is shot? When I bought the boat, the marina said they had to work on the starter, but once started, everything ran fine. Or is there something else I should be looking at?

Re: Starter Problem I think!
 

Make sure your throttle is in neutral :o

Re: Starter Problem I think!
 

Ok, when I turn the key, the batter gauge works, the RPM gauge works and when I depress and turn the key to choke it the choke activates the carburators, so that works, but it doesn't seem to activate the starter. Is it just a bad wire somewhere or the starter?

Re: Starter Problem I think!
 

Check the battery connections, had the exact same sypmtons on my friends Hydra-Sport 2 weeks ago. Was all set to change the starter or the solenoid and it turned out to just be the battery connections were a little corrided. If thats not it, it might just be your solenoid too.

Re: Starter Problem I think!
 

Thanks! I'll be at it again tomorrow. Maybe I'll have more luck then.

Re: Starter Problem I think!
 

Check the electrical grounds. They are usually the source of 12 volt power problems. Wish I had a dollar for every time. I would be a thousandaire! :D

Re: Starter Problem I think!
 

assuming your motor has a solinoid you said there was no sound when you turn the key most of the time you should be able to hear the solinoid click when the key is turned to the start position if there is no click noise at the solinoid get a test light and make sure you are getting 12volts to the primary side of the solinoid and when you turn the key to the start position there should be 12 volts applied to the start terminal on the solinoid the other is usually ground if there is 12volts on the start terminal and on the primary terminal and the solinoid does not engage the starter then replace the solinoid if the solinoid does engage and send 12 volts to the starter and it does not engage the it is more than likely bad as long as you have a good ground to double check the starter you can take a ohm meter and read across the positive terminal and the frame of the starter it should read continuity if it reads open then the starter is bad. Good luck hope i didn't confuse you.

Re: Starter Problem I think!
 

Thanks guys, I'll try it tonight.

Re: Starter Problem I think!
 

Is the kill switch connected?

Re: Starter Problem I think!
 

Good point Roger. When I was about 15, dad let me and some friends use the boat. We tied up at a dock for a little while, came back and the engine wouldn't start. A couple guys tried helping us but nobody could figure out what was wrong. Called dad for help. Luckily the boat was right by the town ramp, so we hauled it and took it over to the boat yard. The mechanic jumps in and 1 minute later turns the engine over really quick in the parking lot. He looks at my dad and says "kill switch was disconnected" :rolleyes:. From that day forward the switch was taped in place.

Re: Starter Problem I think!
 

The motor would still turn if the kill switch was on or off. If the shift is engaged it would not turn due to the neutral safety switch doin its job........

Re: Starter Problem I think!
 

Also check gear on top of starter .you can twist up manually mine freezes up every winter and takes some time to getright 200 mercury

Re: Starter Problem I think!
 

what kinda engine are we talking about?

Re: Starter Problem I think!
 

It's a force 125. The motor looks great so I'm going see how long it lasts. There is no kill switch on this boat. I have had boats with them and had that problem with the first one I encountered. Thankfully I figured it out quickly. I'm taking the easy way out time wise and long way wallet wise. I ordered a new starter and solenoid just to cover the bases. I will know soon once installed what the problem was. The Marina had to work on the starter to get it running before, so I figure I would rather replace it anyway, and not have to worry about it dying on me out on the ocean!! Thanks for all the info, I'll let everyone know what it was once I get it running. Hopefully before the weekend.

Re: Starter Problem I think!
 

Try moving the throttle leaver back and forth while turning the key. As I think Capt. Chuck and Hermco stated there's a neutral safety switch in there and if your cable adjustment is out of whack it won't start. I see many boats throughout the season with this problem.

Re: Starter Problem I think!
 

If you check the posts I had a similar problem with one of my engines last month. Turned out to be a loose terminal connection.

I was able to determine it was a loose wire issue after I was able to jump start the boat engine via jumper cables and my car.

Re: Starter Problem I think!
 

I tried moving the throttle back and forth with no luck. I also tried my connections. I loosened and tightened but still not luck. I "think" I've exhausted the simple things, but one never knows.

Re: Starter Problem I think!
 

Another possibility is a bad ignition switch. Did you try jumping the solinoid?

Re: Starter Problem I think!
 

Good news! I picked up the new starter in Chatham at lunch, installed it when I got home and it turned right over. It took about 4 choked starts, then it ran like a top! Sounds great, no sputtering, nice and steady, itles perfectly. I can't wait to launch it on Saturday and see how it goes!

Re: Starter Problem I think!
 

I love it when that happens. Congrats. :D