Problems Starting with #1 Battery

[MikeS100]

I've been having problems starting the Motor with the #1 Battery. Battery is fine. I checked the fuses that lead from the Battery Switch and they are OK. The Motor will start fine on the #2 battery. Could the Battery switch be Bad even though it's only 3 years old? I don't know how to test the switch to see if its bad. Help

 

[ftltony]

Re: Problems Starting with #1 Battery

Pull off all the cables for both batteries. Clean the contacts and reattach the cables to the batteries and switch. If that doesn't solve your problem, you could have a bad battery switch but I bet its just dirty contacts.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Problems Starting with #1 Battery

you either have a dirty connection or bad cable, or a bad battery, have it load checked.

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

 

[ezeke]

Re: Problems Starting with #1 Battery

Battery switches corrode, just as the cables do. Sometimes disconnecting the battery(s) and flipping the switch back and forth rapidly will give some help. You can usually isolate the source of resistance in the cables by touch after cranking because the weak spots generate heat from the resistance.

When it is not obvious, you can find the problem using a voltage drop test.

 

[MikeS100]

Re: Problems Starting with #1 Battery

The Battery is brand New (2 Days Old) and the Motor Starts fine on the #2 Battery

 

[ezeke]

Re: Problems Starting with #1 Battery

Use a voltage drop test on possible weak points in the wiring. It's quick and easy and will identify the problem.

BTW, Usually it is the cable. You can switch the batteries to eliminate the possibility that the new one isn't charged.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Problems Starting with #1 Battery

i've had new batteries go bad. couple of weeks ago for a fact. 3 days old it had a bad cell.

 

[stevenj]

Re: Problems Starting with #1 Battery

flip-flop the batteries, see if the problem moves or stays

 

[MikeS100]

Re: Problems Starting with #1 Battery

Thanks Everyone!!!

I did a series of tests with all your advise and it ended up be a the Positive going from the #1 to the Switch. So I went out and bought to new cables for both batteries. had them give me #4 wire instead of the #6 that came with the boat. This fall or spring I'll work on replacing the grounds.

 

[ezeke]

Re: Problems Starting with #1 Battery

Thanks for reporting back. Everyone gains from the information.