no response from gauges and meters, no cranking - 2003 SeaRay 185 BowRider

You mentioned that the battery is "charged and works fine"... but you're only getting 9.8V? I wouldn't call that "working fine", nor "charged". Are you measuring by touching one of the leads DIRECTLY to the battery or the terminal?

From the picture, it appears some of the battery fluid boiled out (which could be from a non-smart charger). Have you checked the fluid recently? How old is the battery? Also, did you remove the battery hold-on recently, or has it been off for a while (and the boat used during that time)?
 
Lazy Daze said:
You mentioned that the battery is "charged and works fine"... but you're only getting 9.8V? I wouldn't call that "working fine", nor "charged". Are you measuring by touching one of the leads DIRECTLY to the battery or the terminal?

From the picture, it appears some of the battery fluid boiled out (which could be from a non-smart charger). Have you checked the fluid recently? How old is the battery? Also, did you remove the battery hold-on recently, or has it been off for a while (and the boat used during that time)?
Click to expand...


you can lead the horse to the water but you can't make him drink
 
Mike Blake said:
9.8 volts is not enough. I'm willing to bet the battery is junk. It should be 12.8===to 13.4
Click to expand...

You are right. It seems the ground makes difference. Now the reading is 12.5 for the battery and for both sides of the circuit breaker.
 
I measure it with touching both leads, it give me 12.5v.
The battery is OK, not water leaking from it. I open the lid and look though the holes, the water level looks OK to me.

Lazy Daze said:
You mentioned that the battery is "charged and works fine"... but you're only getting 9.8V? I wouldn't call that "working fine", nor "charged". Are you measuring by touching one of the leads DIRECTLY to the battery or the terminal?

From the picture, it appears some of the battery fluid boiled out (which could be from a non-smart charger). Have you checked the fluid recently? How old is the battery? Also, did you remove the battery hold-on recently, or has it been off for a while (and the boat used during that time)?
Click to expand...
 
khandielas said:
I measure it with touching both leads, it give me 12.5v.
The battery is OK, not water leaking from it. I open the lid and look though the holes, the water level looks OK to me.
Click to expand...


12.5 is still a bit low. You may want to get the battery(ies) tested. If one needs replacement do yourself (and us) a favor and replace all at once.

Bryan
 
OK, will buy a new one. Meanwhile, besides the weak battery, what could be the root cause of the problem? Thanks.

BryanOnTheBay said:
12.5 is still a bit low. You may want to get the battery(ies) tested. If one needs replacement do yourself (and us) a favor and replace all at once.

Bryan
Click to expand...
 
khandielas said:
OK, will buy a new one. Meanwhile, besides the weak battery, what could be the root cause of the problem? Thanks.
Click to expand...

Are you still having an issue? You have to keep us in the loop of what's going on - it's kinda hard to see what you're doing from here, you know? You mentioned you're pretty comfortable working on cars - what you're working on here is pretty basic so you should find this on the easier side. Pull up a wiring schematic for your boat (it's in your manual - also available online at SR's site). Trace the path of electricity to the point where you no longer have 12V. SR's schematic are well laid out and pretty easy to follow. You can start by redoing what you did earlier.

Are you sure the battery fluid is good? It sure does look like it bubbled out. How much, I obviously can't say, but a good charger (or properly monitoring a lesser charger) shouldn't do that.
 
Last edited:
battery voltage should be above 12volts, and that's what you should read at the circuit breaker.
start at the starter`s main post. remove and clean all connections.
retest, if voltage is still low, check all negative battery cable connections especially the engine block connection.
 
It is the starter problem. The dealer charged $400 to fix it. I did not shop around, just went to the one where I bought this boat a couple of years ago.

Many thanks for all the helpful replies.
 
Well, you got ripped for that price unless he pulled the motor out to replace the starter
 
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