Help....

[draft raft]

Hi, I have a 1999 four winns horizon 170, with a 115 hp Johnson outboard on it. The problem I'm having, is that it runs fine, when you can start it....what I mean is that I take it out to the lake, and sometimes it starts, and other times you turn the key and NOTHING, no turning over, no click, nothing...(like you are turning the key, and there's no battery hooked up) So I play with the thorottle, back and forth, from reverse to forward several times, and it might start or not. At first I thought it might be a neautral safety switch, but because it does nothing, I'm wondering if the safety switch that the U shaped clip goes onto is bad....any suggestions would be helpful. Thank you very much in advance,
frustrated in Michigan

 

[The-Machinist]

Re: Help....

Although it could be a neutral safety switch, I would start by checking your cables. Beginning at the battery and working your way to the power head. Make sure all the connections are shiny clean and tight. If you have wingnuts on your battery, crank them down with pliers(after cleaning)

 

[5150abf]

Re: Help....

That sounds like the neutral safety switch, the motor won't do anything until it is centered.

The thing the U shaped clip goes on is a kill switch, it is suppose to have a lanyard on it that you hook to yourself in case you go overboard it will shut the boat off, I believe the boat will still turn over but not start if you pull the clip, could be wrong on that though.

Try holding the key on and slowly rocking the throttle back and forth, if you find a spot where the engine will hit it is the neutral switch.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Help....

unplug the wiring harness and jump the solenoid. this will determine if it is the motor end of the control end.

90% of starter problems are bad connections. remove and clean both ends of the battery cables, so that they are shiney, also the cable from the solenoid to starter. check for nicks in the cables. and make sure the connectors are on the wire good. the cable tend to corrode from the inside out, if nicked, corroded wires, and connections, heat up and cause resistance to the follow of electricity, thus the starter doesn't get enough. you can also take jumper cable pos battery post to large post on starter. with a good connection, the engine should spin. then if the starter is good clean everything and retest. then trouble shoot solenoid. starters can be rebuit at a starter/alternator shop, much cheaper than a new one.

also have the battery load tested at the auto parts store, free, i've had new batteries go bad

 

[draft raft]

Re: Help....

Hi Thanks to all for the advise, I will try cleaning and tightening the battery cables. To be honest with you, I work maintence for a school, and can work on car motors,snowmobile motors, golf cart motors, but my own boat motor, I'm somewhat clueless to. I've had the boat for 5 years now, and this is only the second problem(the first problem was a bad water pump,it was replaced, last year at the beginning of the season).Also, I am only the second owner, as an old couple traded it in for an upgrade, and I bought it. It is the second battery though, as the first was the original.The battery I purchased is 2 years old this month, and I recently charged it to full capacity....like I do at the start of every season,and I also store the battery in the winter in my house, so no freezing can occur, to damage it.The motor is like new,the marina that did the water pump, said that the motor only had approx. 50 hours on it,(they couldn't believe it)...But I'm guessing it's about 150 now, as I have not used it that much, and apparently the older couple did not as well. Thanks again for the advise, as I will check all connections.Many thanks again, and I will post and let you all know.(hopefully with work, and the holiday, I can get to it this week.)

 

[draft raft]

Re: Help....

Hi again, just a small question.....if it is my neautral safety switch,where exactly is it. Is it on the motor linkage, or the behind the forward /reverse shifter? If it is behind the shifter, I've looked back there the other day, and it looks like it would be a real b-tch to get at. Thanks for any help again.