Boat won't crank, but then does.

Tackleberry

New Member
Sep 18, 2018
19
Boat Info
NO CLASS
2000 215 Express Cruiser, 390 hours, Just purchased August 2018.
Hook 9 Chartplotter
Engines
5.7L Mercruiser
A little history.
I put my boat in the water, turned the key, nothing...
Just a faint click from engine compartment.
So I wiggle the shifter to ensure it's in neutral, try to start again, nothing.
I checked battery connections, they are tight, try ignition again, the boat fires up and runs great.

Fast forward to yesterday.
Turn key 5 times, nothing but a small click from engine compartment.
Wiggle shifter, check connections to batts, still nothing.
I try to start one more time before I call it quits, boat fires up and runs great.

The voltmeter is at 12 when the key is on, goes up to 14 when running.

Does this sound like a battery issue? Maybe starter solenoid? Batteries are 4 years old, so I'll be putting new ones in before next season.
 
You didn’t say what type of boat you have but assuming it is gas....you need to replace this solenoid on top of your engine. It is the faint click you hear when you try to start it.
 

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You didn’t say what type of boat you have but assuming it is gas....you need to replace this solenoid on top of your engine. It is the faint click you hear when you try to start it.
Sorry, engine is the same one in my profile. 5.7 efi
 
No worry....it doesn’t show you profile in mobile view. Welcome to CSR!

If you look at the top of your engine, you will find the solenoid in the picture. It controls the shift interrupt. A yellow/red wire goes from the ignition key to the shifter then to this solenoid so that the engine will only crank in neutral.
 
Great, thanks! I'll pull the old one and bring it to the marine store to get an exact replacement.
 
Batteries that are that old need to be replaced. If they are deep cycle life on them are normally 2 to 3 years and starting batteries 4 to 5 years providing they have never been overcharged or frozen.
 
Pulled the boat out of the water this weekend. Same no start, dead battery symptom. Flipped the key back and forth 4 or 5 times and she fired up.

Noticed trim tab leaking when I got her on the trailer. Looks like what I hope to be an easy fix.
 
Our 21 foot jet boat had same problem. The starter was no good. With small boat you get condensation around engine. I have replaced 1 starter, rebuilt 2 and replaced one alternator all do to condensation in engine area.
 
Mechanic said it was the actual starter.
Add to the list:

Transom assembly is shot. The outdrive has about 4" of side to side play. No wonder It would drift all over the canal at low speed. The previous owner drilled out the top and tried to tighten the nut to take some of the slop out of it. Motor has to come out to replace it, so mechanic said to let it be. It will last for years, and I'll be ready to trade up by then.

Bellow shot, u-joints rusty.

Gimble bearing shot.

Needs new risers and elbows.

Just dropped off outdrive for new water pump, pressure test, u-joint rebuild, sanding/painting, and zincs.

Luckily my friend is a marine mechanic, and he is going to help me fix her up for the spring.
 

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