Won't start.

[CoachJYoung]

After boating for a few hours we will dock and swim, but then when we try and start the boat again we get nothing. No clicks, won't try and crank, nothing. This has happened a few times now. Batteries are fully charged. Then the next day it will start right up. I'm new to boating, I've checked that it isn't in gear, checked cables etc. Need help. Thanks.

 

[jbcurt00]

What motor? I/O outboard? Mercruiser, Volvo, OMC?

 

[racerone]

A 10 hp motor or a 300 HP motor ????

 

[Randall05]

A 10 hp motor or a 300 HP motor ????

See if you can tap the starter while someone is trying to start it.

 

[CoachJYoung]

What motor? I/O outboard? Mercruiser, Volvo, OMC?

4.3 i/o mercruiser 190hp

 

[CoachJYoung]

4.3 i/o mercruiser 190hp

2006 tahoe 215 deck boat. Engine was rebuilt and had 0 hours on it. Just bought it in April.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,..... Welcome Aboard,..... Clean to shiny metal Clean, both ends of both battery cables,.......

 

[CoachJYoung]

All clean

 

[CaptnKingfisher]

Next time this problem occurs take your multimeter and get under the dash and test for voltage at the ignition switch. If it's zero look around and see if the wire has been spliced by someone under the dash. I see this often when helping friends with boats, under dash wiring is sometimes a s***show on used boats. Trace the wire and find the bad connection. If it is good to the engine harness then check the connection to the starter selenoid. Manual would say to check fuses but you say it starts up next day so I think we can skip that step. You got a bad connection somewhere

 

[poconojoe]

I had a similar situation when I first got my used boat, also a 4.3L Mercruiser, 190HP (carburetor).

Sometimes when turning the key, I'd get nothing. Then try again and eventually it would crank.

Somehow it fixed itself.
I figure something was slightly corroded, maybe from sitting around the dealer's lot, not being used for some time.

I think it cleared itself from using it. I'm guessing it was the key switch at the helm or maybe the starter solenoid. I was going to replace the key switch since that seemed easy enough, but then it "fixed itself".

I suggest testing or jumping out the key switch. It could have internal corrosion not seen by just looking at it.

Also, cleaning every connection you can get to.

 

[nola mike]

4.3 i/o mercruiser 190hp

HOW TO: Troubleshooting your engines starting system

So you hit the ignition switch so you can go home and either nothing happens, or you hear a click from the engine, but the starter doesn't crank......... Now what ? If you have a test light, you can find out in only a few minutes what the problem is. I like test lights because they are faster...

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