Evinrude 225 wont start (sometimes)

[Cazterjc]

Hi all, Great forums, lots of info (first post).

I have an 05 Evinrude 225 HO on an 05 stratos 201 proxl that for some reason just will not start usually once per 8 hour trip. I got to turn the key, and nothing happens at all. In order to get it starting I found that if I disconnect everything from the battery, wait a couple minutes, and plug everything back in it will fire right up. I check whatever connections i could find, cleaned the terminals and connections on the battery, and I cannot figure out what is causing this. They only thing that I can think of would be the kill switch, just because it shows the same symptom without the lanyard plugged in. But I am certain that nothing was bumped or shifted the last time it wouldn't turn on. Anyone have any suggestions? I checked all of the connections under the console for both the ignition and the kill switch and they all seem sound.

 

[jonesg]

Re: Evinrude 225 wont start (sometimes)

Welcome, your post scrolled off the first page, lets bump it back to the top again....bump.

You say you disconnect everything from the battery, what is everything?
I only have my starter cables connected to mine, everything else runs off another battery.

Well it could the neutral safety switch. Have you tried pushing the shifter fwd a bit then pulling back towards neutral, that might take up any play in the cables.

Its also possible you are resetting the computer by disconnecting the battery.
I'm assuming it has a computer seein as its 10 yrs newer than mine.
I would disconnect any other toys from the starter battery and see if it acts up again, it might be dropping below the threshold.
I would also clean the battery cable terminals at the engine and ohm the cable.
Also put a meter across the terminals at different stages, before you start the engine, when the engine is running and especially when it fails to start.

This is all just low tech troubleshooting, I would definately get the factory service manual for that engine.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Evinrude 225 wont start (sometimes)

i guess you may have found your problem. battery connection. that seems to fix it everytime. what do you have running off that battery, you may need to install a house battery, to run the accessories.

 

[Cazterjc]

Re: Evinrude 225 wont start (sometimes)

Thanks for the response guys. I generally don't have much running off of the battery. A lot is hooked up to it, but not necessarily running. The boat is a bass boat, so it has nav lights, bilge pumps, live well pumps etc. Nothing out of the ordinary for this type of boat. The last time It didn't fire was after a long, 10 mile (70 mph) or so run. The voltage was up over 13 volts. After messing around with connections (for a long long time with graphs, gps, , trimming up and down all running), wiggling wires etc, I tested the battery with a voltage meter and it was still around 13 volts.

Jonesg- I first thought that it was the neutral safety switch. I tried every which way and messed round with the button, but nothing. I did the same for the kill switch as well. I also cleaned all battery terminals, and cables.

The first thing i thought of was a bad connection on the battery or a bad battery itself. but the battery reads fine, powers the trim etc. And when I go to fire up the engine, nothing happens, not a sound. Almost like it is not getting the signal to start.

 

[Cazterjc]

Re: Evinrude 225 wont start (sometimes)

Any idea if there would be a self reseting fuse on the motor/battery?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Evinrude 225 wont start (sometimes)

there should only 2 cables on each post of the battery, motor cable, and the cable going to the fuse box, for all accessories. if you have several cables, rewire your situation.

 

[Cazterjc]

Re: Evinrude 225 wont start (sometimes)

Would the one going to the accessory box cause my issues? I am trying to think of what is connected.

1. Engine cables
2. Battery charger (will disconnect when i get home because i never use it)
3. Onboard battery charger
4. Battery power indicator for on board battery charger

I think there are one or two more.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Evinrude 225 wont start (sometimes)

the more you have on there the more you have to corrode, etc. cause weak connections.

 

[Cazterjc]

Re: Evinrude 225 wont start (sometimes)

Yeah, thats the first thing i looked at. So I cleaned all connections until they are nice and shiny.

 

[jonesg]

Re: Evinrude 225 wont start (sometimes)

"And when I go to fire up the engine, nothing happens, not a sound. Almost like it is not getting the signal to start."

aha! an 05 should give a beep when its keyed on right?
Does it go through the onboard ignition test, engine warning lights and all that? (mine beeps)

We misunderstood , it sounded like the engine would crank over but not fire up. Check the battery cables at the solenoid, clean contact areas with a file, nice and shiny. Check the other posts on the solenoid.
Put your meter on the solenoid when it won't respond.

 

[Cazterjc]

Re: Evinrude 225 wont start (sometimes)

Thanks Jones,

Sorry, I left out more information. It does beep when the key is turned to the on position. But when I turn the key to the start position, nothing... definitely doesn't even try to fire or crank. I believe it goes through a series of lights on the tachometer iirc(when key is turned to the on position), i know it does when it starts properly.
What would the solenoid look like? I have a friend who knows a little more about this than I do that will be helping me check all the connections tomorrow. I took the cover off the motor two days ago, and everything looked shiny and perfect, except for one cable or hose (not sure what it is). Not sure what it is for, but it is slightly pinched. it is a thin black cable located on the very back of the motor right where it says "V6".

 

[Cazterjc]

Re: Evinrude 225 wont start (sometimes)

bump

 

[bassmastertr21]

Re: Evinrude 225 wont start (sometimes)

Hi all, Great forums, lots of info (first post).

I have an 05 Evinrude 225 HO on an 05 stratos 201 proxl that for some reason just will not start usually once per 8 hour trip. I got to turn the key, and nothing happens at all. In order to get it starting I found that if I disconnect everything from the battery, wait a couple minutes, and plug everything back in it will fire right up. I check whatever connections i could find, cleaned the terminals and connections on the battery, and I cannot figure out what is causing this. They only thing that I can think of would be the kill switch, just because it shows the same symptom without the lanyard plugged in. But I am certain that nothing was bumped or shifted the last time it wouldn't turn on. Anyone have any suggestions? I checked all of the connections under the console for both the ignition and the kill switch and they all seem sound.

I am having the same problem as you are have you corrected this yet.