Yamaha '05 F150 wont start

[fish_on_the_deck]

I was out on my boat yesterday... never had any problems starting my F150 before, although I noticed last weekend it seemed to take a little longer to turn over once or twice.

Cranked fine at the ramp, shut it down to fish probably 4-5 times, then the last time it was just silent when I tried to turn the key. thought I had it in gear, but nope... after 4-5 attempts at the key, it fired right up like normal.

decided to go to the ramp and shut it down and tried to crank again only to get the clicking sound of the silodoid I guess... no attempts to start.

both batteries are charged... trim and tilt work like normal, so the motor is getting juice.

any ideas? Thanks.

 

[99yam40]

Re: Yamaha '05 F150 wont start

Check voltages through out the starting system with a meter to see where you are loosing the voltage, that will tell you where the bad connection is if you truly do have fully charged batteries

 

[joe009]

Re: Yamaha '05 F150 wont start

sounds like a loose or dirty battery terminals.low voltage at the battery will do that.disco them and clean both posts and inside of the clamps.do you have removable caps on the battery?check for low water in the battery.you can buy a hydrometer and test the condition of each cell.you could have a dead cell in the battery. the motor needs more power to start than other things on the boat.

 

[fish_on_the_deck]

Re: Yamaha '05 F150 wont start

but wouldnt a low battery at least try to turn over? I mean this thing either made NO sound what-so-ever, or started right up... no intermediate struggleing to start like I've ever seen a low battery.

plus, had the same problems starting one both starting batt and house batt, and combined...

I was difinitely thinking the starter was going bad or something... but you guys prob know more than me. I'll check connections and voltage when I get back. and re-check charge on the batteries.

Thanks!

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Yamaha '05 F150 wont start

test the startere relay, its not the solinoid on the starter, there is a start relay in the electronics enclosure.
2 little wires 2 big wires.
the little wires are ground and actuate signal. the two big ones are battery + feed and starter solinoid engage.

 

[fish_on_the_deck]

Re: Yamaha '05 F150 wont start

so I went out last night and opened the battery locker. When I was using the cowl mounted tilt/trim switch to raise and lower the motor I kept getting some popping and sparking coming from one of the negative battery lugs.

Took the cable off and BOTH... I repeat BOTH... the lugs on my battery cable slid right OFF with a little tug. one slid off without even pulling. The lugs wernt even crimped, and the cheap heat shrink was apparently the only thing holding them on! This is the OEM wiring on a 2004 boat! p!ss poor workmanship if you ask me. Furthermore, only had SAE grade non-marine cabling.

At first I thought this had to be the problem, but... that cable was the one connecting the negatives on house and sytarting battery together. the yamaha cables (which are in great shape) are still connected from one batt + to the same batt -... so, I'm thinking the faulty negative to negative cable likely wouldnt only have caused my starting issues when the 1/2/off/both switch was in one position but it was really happening I believe in all positions.

Anyway, I'm gonna replace that bad cable and see if it fixes the problem.

Thanks for the help!
-fish

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Yamaha '05 F150 wont start

the same guy that did all the crimping at the battery end of the cable, he did the same crimping at the battery SWITCH ends.
pull the battery switch and inspect the cable ends to the switch.
NONE of your hull wireing has ANYTHING to do with yamaha.
BOTH battery +cables should run to the batt1 and batt 2 terminals on the switch. the yamaha cable for batt + sould be on the common.

 

[fish_on_the_deck]

Re: Yamaha '05 F150 wont start

the same guy that did all the crimping at the battery end of the cable, he did the same crimping at the battery SWITCH ends. pull the battery switch and inspect the cable ends to the switch...

I had already replaced the positive cables a couple weeks ago with nice ones from these guys: Battery Cables. Was very happy with the product so I ordered a replacement negative cable too. The positive cables were a little better off, but still poor workmanship. And they didnt put heat shrink on the ends that were hidden by the battery switch... shock. I should have thought then to check the negative cable too.

In the mean time I tested it out with a temporary cable and it seems to have cured my problem... guess it wasent the motor's fault after all, but the hull manuafacturer... which for those of you wondering is Sea Hunt. I like the boat otherwise though.

Thanks all for the help!