boat won't start periodically

todd8667

Recruit
Joined
Apr 1, 2010
Messages
2
I have a Mercury 4 stroke 90 HP outboard motor on a pontoon boat. Over the past year or so, I've had a problem with the boat periodically not starting. During these incidents, I turn the key & get the warning beep & guage activation, but no cranking - just silence. This happens about 1 in every 15 times, and sometimes occurs in clusters (or several times during repeated attempts to start the boat). The occurrence seems to be random, but may occur a bit more frequently when starting after the boat has been running for several minutes. I have a new battery with clean, tight cable connections. Any ideas?
 

Really Old Guy

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Sep 1, 2009
Messages
84
Re: boat won't start periodically

Check your soleniod. That's what mine does when it goes out.
 

DianneB

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Feb 8, 2010
Messages
303
Re: boat won't start periodically

My camperized school bus has been doing that for years. It is either a bad segment in the starter of a bad solenoid.

If flicking the key to start quickly a zillion times gets it going, it is probably the solenoid. If not, it will be the starter.
 
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