98 Ficht- wont start- only the relay clicks

[jdwgroup]

I have a 1998 Ficht 150 (yeh, I know- but I pamper mine and its lasted all this time)- Anyway, over the past year or so I?ve had to do a little ?jiggle? on the throttle control in order to start it- I assumed the neutral switch was starting to go. This spring it was getting a little more prominent (of not starting) so I decided to take it apart to check the neutral switch in the throttle arm- its fine. 0 ohms in neut and opens when advanced. On the lake today it was starting- but I had to do a lot of re-trying. Tonight in the driveway- it would catch only about 1 out of 5, then it got worse and worse (less and less of the engine turning over vs. nothing). (now its nothing)
I noticed from the prw distribution board there was a ?click? sound from a relay when turning the key to start (I click from a relay). I have checked battery connections and am fully charged, all visible connections are clean and tight. I even tried swapping relays (their all the same #). Fuses are good and I checked the master pwr switch. There's no ?chattering? like a bum starter or solenoid. Just the one click from the power panel.
What once was 1 out of 10 (not turning over), turned into 1 out of 5, and in the driveway tonight- is now 5 out of 5.
Having a tournament this Sat- on Lk Erie- I figured I should check it- glad I did- but now what?.
When it catches- the engine fires right up- so there?s some ?ignition? signal not getting through someplace. Is there additional linkage switches?
Any ideas where to look?
I?m savvy with a volt meter- just need to be pointed in the right direction

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: 98 Ficht- wont start- only the relay clicks

Welcome to iboats.
Could well be a bad cable if all connections are clean and good. Run booster cables in unison with the battery cables and see if the problem goes away. If it does then replace the cables.

 

[jdwgroup]

Re: 98 Ficht- wont start- only the relay clicks

Ken- thanks for the quick reply
I did that too- bypassing the battery (+) to the master pwr switch connecting at the (out side of the) switch with a booster cbls (even tried a Eng start assist charger), and another battery- still.....'click'

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: 98 Ficht- wont start- only the relay clicks

Have you tested the starter itself ????

 

[boobie]

Re: 98 Ficht- wont start- only the relay clicks

This is a dumb question, but does the power t/t work ? There is also a 70 amp relay in the system that may be giving you probs.

 

[jdwgroup]

Re: 98 Ficht- wont start- only the relay clicks

Get a load of this!! A hairline crack in the back next to the (+) relay post on the sol. Sometimes make- sometimes not. Turn the engine, or wiggle the throttle - which would put an ever so slight strain or twist on the elect dist. panel (on rubber mounts) where the sol was mounted- and it would start. Vibration would open the crack so that next time- no start.
On the bench with 12v on the sol terminals- it would ?click?- but if you twisted it- the contact would open (or close).

Go figure.

Nevertheless....... found and solved-
Thanks for the help and 'navigational' suggestions as to where to look.