starter trouble

[fatcatone549]

Hi I just replaced key switch on dash still have same problem.When I turn key nothing happens ,If I turn key 4 or 5 times boat starts, after that starts almost every time,any idea Boat was repowered 4 years ago 1999 215 express

 

[scoflaw]

Had the same problem on my last boat about the same vintage. Turned out to be the square fuse on the starter, it looked rough and the connection was poor. Replacement did the trick

 

[Lazy Daze]

In addition to the starter fuse and cable connections there, check the battery connections both at the battery and engine ground. Remove, clean, reinstall.

 

[fwebster]

If it were a fuse, the problem wouldn't be intermittent.

Might be a loose connection; might be the ignition switch, but this is the classic symptom of a failing slave solenoid. The more you use it the more intermittent it becomes until one day, it isn't going to crank at all. This is a $16 part that takes 5 minutes to change, it is on a 15+ year old boat, just change it to eliminate it from the mix, but it will most likely fix the problem.

 

[Bt Doctur]

start with the battery cable ends, both of them pos and neg especially the engine block one
have to be clean and bright.
Everyone calls it the "starter fuse" but its not. Its a 90a fuse link for the alt feed. Newer boats have the boats system feed also connected here and that's a mistake. the system power should be direct to the starters battery lug.

Next check/inspect/ clean the main engine harness plug and the connections to the 50A circuit breaker.They get the power to the dash for the key switch.
Check for voltage in the "start" position of the key switch, then check it at the yellow/red wire at the slave solenoid. slave should atleast have a click .

 

[fatcatone549]

is that located on the solenoid 1"x 1"in size has 3 wires bolted to it

 

[fwebster]

yes...........

 

[1990-270-da-lover]

+1 on Franks assessment. Had the same issue, and turned out to be bad slave solenoid. Easy replacement.

 

[fatcatone549]

the slave solenoid is located on top of the starter

 

[Bt Doctur]

the starter solenoid is mounted on the starter, the slave can be anywhere else.

 

[Bt Doctur]

you do not want to leave it connected this way, red wire direct to the starter, alt only to the block.

 

[SloBurn]

+1 !!!!!

start with the battery cable ends, both of them pos and neg especially the engine block one
have to be clean and bright.
Everyone calls it the "starter fuse" but its not. Its a 90a fuse link for the alt feed. Newer boats have the boats system feed also connected here and that's a mistake. the system power should be direct to the starters battery lug.

Next check/inspect/ clean the main engine harness plug and the connections to the 50A circuit breaker.They get the power to the dash for the key switch.
Check for voltage in the "start" position of the key switch, then check it at the yellow/red wire at the slave solenoid. slave should atleast have a click .

 

[fatcatone549]

Replaced the slave solenoid that did the trick thanks for all your help Dave