Newbie with and odd starting issue

[angus63]

Welcome to the forum!!!!!<br />Let's start from scratch. Are you certain you are in neutral when you experience dead battery symptoms (neutral switch)? Are you certain the kill switch lanyard is firmly attached? These two will not allow you to start unless they are activated. Next time it occurs, wiggle the shifter a bit to see if the neutral switch is intermittent and be certain the clip of the kill switch is firmly seated. If you still have the same problem after eliminating those two simple solves, we'll try some new stuff.<br />Good luck

 

[Capt Rod]

Newbie with and odd starting issue

I have tried to do a search on this and did not see anything like it. Let me start of saying this is my first boat and I know nothing about them so please excess me if I call something by the wrong name. I just bought the boat a few weeks ago it is a 1996 Hydro Sports z260 it has a 1996 Evinrude 88. It is the original motor on the boat, and it had been taken care of by the original owner. <br />When I start it when I first get on the lake it does fine. We got there about 8:00 and rode for about 10-15 minutes. We stopped and fished until 10:00. We then started and road for a couple minutes to the next spot and fished until 1:30. This is about the time frame I have had the problem both times I took it out. When I go to start I get the single test beep then nothing. It acts like a dead battery to me. It does it in high idle (Neutral) and when the throttle shifter is in the strait up. Now the high idle setting is built into the throttle shift itself, unlike the manual shows. To get it to start when it does this I keep the key turned while I take it out of fast idle and it starts right up.<br /> I pulled the charger off the morning we went out. The starting battery shows 13 volts on the ohm meter after a charge and after sitting overnight. I checked it this morning. I also reproduced the problem this morning at the house when I tried to start it. When we tried to start it the battery showed no load, but I am going to try this again tonight. It sounds like a battery to me and I am going to have it load tested after work. However if it is a battery I would not think it would start at all. Does anyone have any ideas?<br />By the way the original owner had to have the Rectifier replaced twice in this boat. I am not sure if that would cause this. I have email the guy I got it from to see what the boat would do when he had that problem.

 

[Xcusme]

Re: Newbie with and odd starting issue

Ron, Welcome to iboats! <br /><br />At first glance, you might have a problem with the Neutral Safety Switch. This switch closes when you are in Neutral gear. It's job, is to prevent you from starting the motor while 'in-gear', it's a safety issue. The key here is that you say it starts when you say "To get it to start when it does this I keep the key turned while I take it out of fast idle and it starts right up." <br /><br />A service manual is a must have item. Manuals can be ordered from iboats (link at the bottom of this page)<br /><br />Post back with you findings, it helps other boaters.

 

[rdgallo]

Re: Newbie with and odd starting issue

I and another posted on this forum have had something like that with our motors. The poster fixed his with a new starter solenoid after replacing the ignition switch. I have replaced the ignition switch and the neutral safety switch without fixing the problem. I have a new starter solenoid being delivered today and will try it for a fix. Both me and the poster have put up with the problem for about 6 years. The starting issue only happens after the motor has been run for awhile on the lake and then shut off to fish. Sometimes it will fire right up and other times, you have to turn the ignition switch off and on several times before it will start. The problem never occurs when running on the driveway or while at the ramp - only happens when you are in the middle of nowhere. Don't know it yours is a solenoid problem, but it might be worth checking out.

 

[Capt Rod]

Re: Newbie with and odd starting issue

Thanks for the fast replies. Last week when it happened I thought it may have been me. So when I went out this past weekend I made sure the kill switch was not loose and know I was in Neutral. I was thinking it may have not been in Neutral. <br />I do have a service manual and wondered about the neutral safety switch. My problem is I could not find it. I need to look further in the service manual and see if it will give me a better idea of where to look. Does anyone know where this can be

 

[rdgallo]

Re: Newbie with and odd starting issue

I don't know about yours, but mine was in the shifting/throttle controls area to the right of the steering wheel.

 

[rdgallo]

Re: Newbie with and odd starting issue

I will do that. I will be working on it in a week or so. The other person that had the same problem e-mailed me after installing the starter solenoid saying it cured his problem. I am pretty confident it will cure mine. The problem we both had was it would not act up when we were where we could easily trouble shoot it. Because the solenoid is only about a $30 item, we both decided to gamble with the $30 to get a fix. He won and I am still waiting for some good news on my investment.

 

[rdgallo]

Re: Newbie with and odd starting issue

I hope I have not steered you wrong. Let me know how you come out. Just out of curiousity, what part number is your starter solenoid? Mine is OMC part number 0586180.

 

[Capt Rod]

Re: Newbie with and odd starting issue

Ron let me know the outcome of yours it sounds a lot like my issue.

 

[Capt Rod]

Re: Newbie with and odd starting issue

I just called a shop up the road from my house they have one for 30.00. I am going to run grab one too and put it on this week because I am sure I am having the same problem. I will post back my results.

 

[Capt Rod]

Re: Newbie with and odd starting issue

I was finally able to reproduce it at home this afternoon. This morning I did not have time to look at this very well. I found that if the throttle is strait up and I have the problem then pull it strait back and then it will work, and if I push it forward until it stops without pushing the red button it will not start. Now that I think about it now I know this is what happened on the lake. When I would wiggle the handle I would stop after pushing it forward. So at this point I do not think I am going to do anything until I am sure this is not what is happening. Thanks for all of the help.

 

[angus63]

Re: Newbie with and odd starting issue

Sounds like the neutral safety switch is not being made throughout the slop range when in neutral. Opening up the controls and adding a little volume to the follower or adjusting the switch closer to the striker will do ya just fine.<br />Good luck

 

[rdgallo]

Re: Newbie with and odd starting issue

Just an update. I finally got my water pump kit and new starter solenoid installed and put the boat in the water. I ran it off and on all day and it ran like a champ. I never had the starting problem that has plaqued me for about 7 years. She started right up everytime. Just wanted everyone to know that the replacing the started solenoid on my motor solved the problem just like it did another poster on this formu. I just got an e-mail from him and he has had his boat out about 20 times since the solenoid change and has not had a starting problem.