No juice to Engine, please advise.

[JeffL]

I just bought a 97 Proline, 231 WA with 5.7 V8 Mercruiser. I had a marine surveyor prior to purchase, he told me he fired it up no problem. I can not start it. The engine is not drawing from the battery. When I turn the key, the warning alarm sounds and then... nothing. Throttle is def. in neutral.... please let me know your thoughts...

 

[coastalcruiser]

Re: No juice to Engine, please advise.

Start with this,
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=167035

 

[Don S]

Re: No juice to Engine, please advise.

Since the alarm sounds, IS the battery fully charged, are the connections clean and TIGHT?

 

[JeffL]

Re: No juice to Engine, please advise.

Thanks for the reply Don. I cleaned the connections and made sure they were tight. Is there any kind of switch which could be causing this?

 

[Don S]

Re: No juice to Engine, please advise.

Is there any kind of switch which could be causing this?

Probably not. Since the alarm sounds, you have power. Did you check the battery voltage? Is it fully charged, will the battery pass a load test?

 

[JeffL]

Re: No juice to Engine, please advise.

I am not sure the batteries will pass a load test.. they came with the boat and may need to be replaced. Both are charged... Im not sure this is the problem because when I turn the key, battery gauge on the cockpit pannel does't move at all.. I would think that there should be some movement.

 

[JeffL]

Re: No juice to Engine, please advise.

thank you for this, it is very helpful

 

[coastalcruiser]

Re: No juice to Engine, please advise.

just read your post yesterday, learned your new to boating.
There is a switch found on most boats for dual batteries. If that is off it may be the problem. But like Don said sounds like you do have power. Also, if you switch it to (both) it will parallel the batteries.
Hope that helps.