Clicks when trying to start

[centextom]

Ive got a 97 206 LXI with a Volvo Penta GS 5.7 and Im on the lake yesterday when we throw anchor to swim and eat. We get ready to leave and nothing happens when I turn the key, so I jerk the throttle lever back and forth while trying to start her,{this has happened before!} and it breifly tryied to start, and then it just clicked and stopped! Went back jiggled the battery cables, and it made 1 click again when I tried to start her, and went dead again. All accs. go dead, I mean everything goes dead after it clicks 1 time, but when I jiggle the positive terminal, it will come back to life until I try to start her, and it will click 1 time and all electric power will crap out until I jiggle the positive terminal and do it all over again. Before all this happened, the trim gauge was acting all erratic all day long. Not sure if this was a forewarning of an electrical prblem or what. Got towed back to the dock 20 miles away but felt pretty embarrassed since I always brag about my 97 Larson with 150 hours on her!!

 

[kend301]

Re: Clicks when trying to start

This really had bad battery written all over it , check battery voltage and amps then do a load test .. Bet it fails But also make sure battery terminals are clean and tight !!

 

[Don S]

Re: Clicks when trying to start

Either a bad battery, or loose/corroded connections to the battery.
Slightly snug wing nuts holding the battery cables on will cause problems every time.

 

[Adirondack]

Re: Clicks when trying to start

Test battery as Kend301 said. Replace if needed. Clean both battery terminals thouroughly with a wire brush or something. replace terminals tightened well. It should then be fine.

 

[centextom]

Re: Clicks when trying to start

Battery is fine, actually keep 2 batteries on a tender while its in my garage, and one is brand new. It was reading 13 volts on the lake, but I went ahead and changed to the new battery anyways, and it also reads aound 13-14 volts!

 

[centextom]

Re: Clicks when trying to start

There is no corrosion anyplace on the terminals! This seems to be a strange problem! I had a friend in the enine compartment holding the cable as I was trying to start it, and it just keeps happening! It seems to reset or somthing after 1 click, and jiggling the positive cable. all connections are tight and corrosion free.

 

[Adirondack]

Re: Clicks when trying to start

Battery is fine, actually keep 2 batteries on a tender while its in my garage, and one is brand new. It was reading 13 volts on the lake, but I went ahead and changed to the new battery anyways, and it also reads aound 13-14 volts!

Clean and tighten the terminals. Also check the cable connection at your starter for clean and tight.

 

[kend301]

Re: Clicks when trying to start

OK step 2 , jump the starter solenoid see if the starter turns over , if not bench test the starter . If it does It could be the solenoid or the key switch .

 

[centextom]

Re: Clicks when trying to start

All connectons at selinoid are good

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: Clicks when trying to start

I think it may be the Battery Cables.
You can measure the volts at the battery end and at the starter end. Hit the key and measure it at the starter end with the key in the crank position. If its lower than the voltage at the battery, the cable is toast.
This assumes the connections are good and clean.

 

[centextom]

Re: Clicks when trying to start

Im not sure how to jump the starter selinoid! Wont It shock the crap out of me?

 

[Adirondack]

Re: Clicks when trying to start

Im not sure how to jump the starter selinoid! Wont It shock the crap out of me?

The only thing that's going to shock you is when you find out that one of the connections to the battery, or one of the cables is bad.

To jump the starter. Take a screwdriver and cross the big lug in the center of the solenoid with the smaller lug labeled with an "S". Should be the one closest to the engine.

 

[Don S]

Re: Clicks when trying to start

Slightly snug wing nuts holding the battery cables on will cause problems every time.

You need to check ALL your battery cable connections, not just at the starter solenoid, and don't forget, there are both positive and negative cables and 2 ends to each cable. A loose ground cable on the engine will give you the same results as a loose positive cable on the battery.

 

[centextom]

Re: Clicks when trying to start

OK Adirondack, Im going to go try it! Ill let you know shortly what happened!

 

[centextom]

Re: Clicks when trying to start

Hey Don, if Im jiggling the positive terminal cable at the battery, and it gives me power until I turn the ignition to start, and then it just clicks and goes dead, Would that have anything to do with the ground on the engine?

 

[Adirondack]

Re: Clicks when trying to start

OK Adirondack, Im going to go try it! Ill let you know shortly what happened!

When you make the connection it's going to spark like crazy. Don't let it spook ya. make a firm connection to see if the starter turns.

 

[Don S]

Re: Clicks when trying to start

Hey Don, if Im jiggling the positive terminal cable at the battery, and it gives me power until I turn the ignition to start, and then it just clicks and goes dead, Would that have anything to do with the ground on the engine?

No, that would indicate a problem with the one you are moving.

It's also possible the cable could be loose inside the terminal on the end of the cable where it's crimped on.

 

[Adirondack]

Re: Clicks when trying to start

Hey Don, if Im jiggling the positive terminal cable at the battery, and it gives me power until I turn the ignition to start, and then it just clicks and goes dead, Would that have anything to do with the ground on the engine?

centextom, Do me a personal favor. The cable you are jiggling to get power. Please remove it from the battery, and give it a good going over with a wire brush, steel wool, or something. Remove the terminal from the battery, and do the same on both the terminal face, and the battery face. Do the same on the wingnut that holds the cables to the terminal. Once everything is nice and shiny reassemble it nice and tight. Not too much though. Then try it and see what happens.

 

[centextom]

Re: Clicks when trying to start

Well, I cant see which terminal on the selinoid is marked "S". All of the cables are good, and snug, and no corrosion anyplace, but Ill do what you say and disconnect them all and clean and reattach. This will take awhile, maybe a few days time permitting, and Ill let Yall know what happens. Or I might just get a mechanic friend to help me!!

 

[Adirondack]

Re: Clicks when trying to start

Always good to have a mechanic friend. Let us know how you make out.