Need help - Boat did not start while I was out

[PAX]

I will post a more detailed report about my first two trips with the new 03 leftover but right now I would like to pick your brains. Yesterday I was out fishing. Boat started perfectly every single time I needed to, then on one occasion nothing. I would turn the key, get the beep, but the engine would not start at all, not like trying to start, just nothing. The horn, stereo, washdown all worked but not the engine starter. I switched to the 2nd battery and the engine fired up on the first attemp. Did not take any chances and went back to the ramp ASAP. I called the dealer first thing this morning but it's his day off. Could it be that battery #1 was already dead? How come it did not charge? Would a weak battery act this way or at least try to fire up the engine? Why every else on the boat seemed to work but the starter? A lot of questions but I am glad it did not happen while I had my 4 year old on the boat as it was planned. I guess the first step is to buy a battery tester and check the battery. BTW, I got no signal on the dashboard about a weak battery. Any help would be helpful.

Thanks,

[dnatzic]

Hi Patrick,
The only time I get tone out of my dash is from overtemp..still starts though. Your saying you get a tone but no crank until switching to the other battery. Hmmm. Oh I got it! The accessory is connected to battery 2 that's why your dash lights worked and the motor wouldn't start...you may have just ran your battery down. I would suggest putting your accessory cable on batt one and line up the switch for batt 1. You may have a tired battery, especially if it has been sitting for a few years.
Dave

[Cincinnati]

One of the #1 causes of this problem is a loose connection at the battery. The wing nuts are not tightened enough by hand. Vibrations on a boat jiggle them loose frequently. Either use pliers to tighten or put on nuts and crank them down with a wrench.

Let us know what the cause was if fixed.

[Mainer]

I had a similiar event with my new 17 cc. The wing nuts loosened up and the motor would not start. Replaced with regular nuts and everything was fine.

[mtty]

Start at the battery and work back toward the helm.

[Fishahn]

I agree with checking connections on battery. I went thru similar situation early last season, and was all concerned. turned out it was my wing nuts had loosened up, I now tighten as hard as possible every time!

[Putershark]

Also check the connections at the back side of your battery switch (I got burned on that one myself) I also put lock washers on those connections which pretty much fixed that problem

[Codfish]

While you are all at it, checking electrical connections, it is a good idea to apply some corrosion deterrent compound to all the connectors, studs and nuts. This won't help the loose connection but will save you some time down the road if salt water gets into the wiring. The connections are the weak spots in your wiring system. Stopping corrosion will add years of valuable life to the electrical systems. I know, I have learned that one the hard way after having multiple systems quit on a 10 year old boat. Anti-corrosion jelly would have kept all the connections sound well beyond their actual life. You can buy it at any auto parts house. Works good on your trailer light connections also.

Got to go, the halibut are calling.

codfish

[ILLOGICAL GGC]

the instructions that come with the 1-both-2 switch states that if you lose power to a switch position, turn the motor switch to off and rotate the switch between the 3 positions several times. dont remember the cause of a switch position failing, oxidizing or what not, but switching them is supposed to clear it up the contacts or something.
just another thing to look at /try in your process of elimination
Robert

[dickyboy]

could it be that your boat wasnt exactly in neutral and maybe after you switched the battery you touched the throttle and put it into the right position without knowing that it was just a bit off line?