Maybe bad ground but where?

[granpafish]

Hello, I haven't had to seek any help in quite a while. That's a good thing. My son has a twin Suzuki df200 set up and it has been fine for 4 years. (probably 900 hrs or so) Symptoms in order he noticed them. Initially the port motor tilted up considerably slower than it ever has. (in the past the speed was near the same as the starboard) Then there was (is) an issue with the helm control where the "both motor" tilt would only move the port motor. The starboard would work with the powerhead control but not the helm. You get the picture. Crazy stuff. Then he calls me and says that the port motor won't start. Is that a clue that maybe one of the grounds is not connected. We have a spring (late this year) ritual of cleaning all the connections on the dual (one is deep cycle) batteries and I'm thinking that a ground wire got lost in the cleaning. I'm not with the boat right now and am parroting what I'm hearing but hope to get to it in the next couple of days. Is there a specific ground wire that I should be looking for based on the admittedly spare info I've got?
Or is there something else that could be the problem? Thanks, Granpa

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Maybe bad ground but where?

If the Motor won't Start/Crank that makes it easier.

Start at the Battery with a Voltmeter.

While Attempting to crank, Measure on the actual Battery Posts, NOT on the Clamps or the Battery Cables.
If the reading stays above 12 volts, there is a bad connection somewhere between the battery and the Engine Starter or Block.
Remember that there are two cables and each has two ends. Four possible problem areas. Check all four.

 

[glenn property of pam]

Re: Maybe bad ground but where?

If the Motor won't Start/Crank that makes it easier.

Start at the Battery with a Voltmeter.

While Attempting to crank, Measure on the actual Battery Posts, NOT on the Clamps or the Battery Cables.
If the reading stays above 12 volts, there is a bad connection somewhere between the battery and the Engine Starter or Block.
Remember that there are two cables and each has two ends. Four possible problem areas. Check all four.

real good advice. Also remember to clean the area around the ground bolt on the motor as well as the connection.

 

[granpafish]

Re: Maybe bad ground but where?

Thanks to both of your for your interest and advice. When I last spoke to my son son I told him to pull both bats and search around in the area for a runaway cable. (it is a real PIA tight area to work in) Bingo! The ground to the engines was stuffed under one of the bat boxes. Back in business. Thanks again. "Occam's Razor) Granpa