1998 Four Winns 4.3 wont turn over

[omcshawn]

I just had major work done on this boat and put it in the water for the holiday weekend. Used it three days, ran good. On the third day I had a problem starting it back up. I have had this problem before the work was done. When I turn the key, I got nothing. No click, no crank, no noise at all. When I had this problem before I messed the wiring harness under the dash, and wires going to the ignition switch. I always managed to get it started. This last time I was lightly hitting the ignition switch under the dash, and it started. I assumed that maybe the problem was the switch, so I got a new one and replaced it. I was told that the ignition switch is a universal three position switch. After installing the switch, the boat started right up. I started up, and shut down several times with no problem. I went to take the boat for a ride, and it stalled backing out of the dock. Boat would not start back up. But, this time was different than before. I thought I heard a pop from the engine compartment. Like a fuse blowing, or a breaker going off. Now, when I turn the key, it wont crank, but makes a buzzing noise that I have never heard before. The noise is coming from the area where the 50 apm breakers are. So, this is different than when it would not start before, when there was no noise. Any ideas?? The major work I had done was, new drive shaft and seal, gimbal bearing, and receiver/coupling on the motor. Yes, the motor had to be pulled for this work. FYI, I put the old ignition switch back in and got the same noise.

 

[dubs283]

I'd start at the battery, starter and ground lead connections. Then the ten pin connection.

Guessing corrosion somewhere that was made better/worse with the motor r and r

 

[flashback]

Yep a boat that old you can bet that several electrical connections are corroded. My boat is a 95 model and I clean connections in my spare time.. eventually I'll get em...

 

[omcshawn]

I just had major work done on this boat and put it in the water for the holiday weekend. Used it three days, ran good. On the third day I had a problem starting it back up. I have had this problem before the work was done. When I turn the key, I got nothing. No click, no crank, no noise at all. When I had this problem before I messed the wiring harness under the dash, and wires going to the ignition switch. I always managed to get it started. This last time I was lightly hitting the ignition switch under the dash, and it started. I assumed that maybe the problem was the switch, so I got a new one and replaced it. I was told that the ignition switch is a universal three position switch. After installing the switch, the boat started right up. I started up, and shut down several times with no problem. I went to take the boat for a ride, and it stalled backing out of the dock. Boat would not start back up. But, this time was different than before. I thought I heard a pop from the engine compartment. Like a fuse blowing, or a breaker going off. Now, when I turn the key, it wont crank, but makes a buzzing noise that I have never heard before. The noise is coming from the area where the 50 apm breakers are. So, this is different than when it would not start before, when there was no noise. Any ideas?? The major work I had done was, new drive shaft and seal, gimbal bearing, and receiver/coupling on the motor. Yes, the motor had to be pulled for this work. FYI, I put the old ignition switch back in and got the same noise.

On a follow up to my issue, I talked to the tech that did a lot of work on my boat. He said that because it stalled in gear my issue might be becase of the neutral safety switch. The boat might think its still in gear, and keeping it from cranking over. He said Volvo-Pentas are know for this issue. Told me to move the throttle back and forth while turning the key. Trying to get it back in neutral, as boat wont start while in gear. So, just get the throttle cable back in the position that tells the boat it is in neutral. Have not tried this yet. Does this sound like a good possibility??

 

[omcshawn]

Yep a boat that old you can bet that several electrical connections are corroded. My boat is a 95 model and I clean connections in my spare time.. eventually I'll get em...

I posted an update to my issue. Looking for your opinion. Thank you

 

[omcshawn]

I'd start at the battery, starter and ground lead connections. Then the ten pin connection.

Guessing corrosion somewhere that was made better/worse with the motor r and r

I posted an update to my Issue. I would like your opinion. Thank you.

 

[omcshawn]

I tried all of this today, and no luck. 1. Battery has a full charge. 2. Boat has a new ignition switch. 3. Ten pin connections under the dash ( 2 of them) are very clean, and have no corrosion. Pulled both apart, and put back together. 4. I disconnected the main wiring harness and reconnected that. 5. I tried what the tech who worked on the boat said. Moving the throttle back and forth to make sure it was completely in neutral, and the neutral safety switch was not stopping the boat from turning over. Tech also said the buzzing noise that I do hear when turning the key is the fuel pump. Nothing has worked. Starter relay???, Starter solenoid??

 

[valleyviewlawns]

I tried all of this today, and no luck. 1. Battery has a full charge. 2. Boat has a new ignition switch. 3. Ten pin connections under the dash ( 2 of them) are very clean, and have no corrosion. Pulled both apart, and put back together. 4. I disconnected the main wiring harness and reconnected that. 5. I tried what the tech who worked on the boat said. Moving the throttle back and forth to make sure it was completely in neutral, and the neutral safety switch was not stopping the boat from turning over. Tech also said the buzzing noise that I do hear when turning the key is the fuel pump. Nothing has worked. Starter relay???, Starter solenoid??

Do you have this large round connector on the side of your engine? Mine was having some of the same issues and some of the male pins on this connector were smashed together so they were not making good contact in the female side of the plug. I opened them up slightly with a small flat screwdriver (carefully) and my intermittent no start cleared up. One of my gauges started working again too.

 

[omcshawn]

Do you have this large round connector on the side of your engine? Mine was having some of the same issues and some of the male pins on this connector were smashed together so they were not making good contact in the female side of the plug. I opened them up slightly with a small flat screwdriver (carefully) and my intermittent no start cleared up. One of my gauges started working again too.

Yes, that is the main wiring harness. It all looks good. Male ends not damaged. Whan I was working on it yesterday It did click once a few times while turning the ignition. I'm now thinking it might just be the starter itself.