No Start When Engine Hot

RC

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Apr 13, 2003
Messages
237
2000 Reinell Volvo/penta 5.0 GL PEFS. I have a no start problem when the motor is hot. Will start in the driveway all day long but when we run it on the lake for 20 minutes or so we get a no start. Wait about 20-30 minutes and it will start up fine. When I say no start, I mean nothing. Complete silence. Engine doesn't try to turn over, no clicking sound, nothing. This first started last August, took the boat out about 2 months ago in cool weather and it started no problem when hot. Took it out yesterday and it happened twice. First time I only had to wait about 5 minutes and it started fine. Second time, we hooked up with some friends and the boat was off for over an hour. Went to leave and nothing. One of the guys on the other boat suggested a few things and finally said to try and unhook the cables from the battery, maybe something would reset itself. Maybe it was a coincidence but it started right up when I put the cables back on the battery. I'm positive this is a problem at the engine, my question is, is there something (maybe a relay switch) that would have reset set itself when I unhooked the battery?
 

Don S

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Aug 31, 2004
Messages
62,321
Re: No Start When Engine Hot

Check your start relay for corrosion, could also be a failing relay when it gets hot.
 

RC

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Apr 13, 2003
Messages
237
Re: No Start When Engine Hot

Thanks. Since it started after disconnecting the battery does that make it more likely to be the start relay?
 

Don S

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Aug 31, 2004
Messages
62,321
Re: No Start When Engine Hot

Is the battery cable tight? I don't mean thumb and finger tight on a wingnut, I mean a regular nut with a wrench. ALL the battery terminals have to be clean and tight. And the ends of the cable have to be attached to the cable by more than 2 or 3 strands and they have to be clean and tight.
 

RC

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Apr 13, 2003
Messages
237
Re: No Start When Engine Hot

Yes, all the connections to and from the battery are very clean and tight.
 
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