Clicks when trying to start

Don S

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
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Aug 31, 2004
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62,321
Re: Clicks when trying to start

You only need to do the one that looses and gains power when you wiggle it, that's the one causing your problem.
 

Banditz

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Apr 21, 2010
Messages
168
Re: Clicks when trying to start

My money is on the bad cable. I bet the crimp is bad. That is if theres no corrosion as he says. The fact he states that all power is loss means it cant be a switch. Or starter joint for that matter. Only thing it can be man is either the cable, or the joint. You say the joint is good and clean and tight...so the last thing is the crimp. Change out that cable and I am sure you will start right up.
 

centextom

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Oct 17, 2007
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Re: Clicks when trying to start

I know this sounds crazy, but the joints and crimps are all good. I just cant understand why it will click 1 time, not multiple times, and go dead and click 1 more time after a little jiggle:confused:
 

paultjohnson

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Jul 29, 2010
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Re: Clicks when trying to start

As Don and others have mentioned Its probably the crimp I chased that gremlin before on what appeared to be mint batt cables all of a sudden the connector pulled off . It was all corroded under the connector-where the cable makes contact with the connector. I cut off an inch or so of each cable end and put on new connectors Prob solved
 

paultjohnson

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Jul 29, 2010
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Re: Clicks when trying to start

The crimps may LOOK good Dont trust em! Go to auto parts store and blow $5 on a bag of connectors and redo the cable ends!!!
 

centextom

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Oct 17, 2007
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Re: Clicks when trying to start

Thx again Yall, and Ill do what I can do comfortably( to my little knowledge of mechanics), and if all fails, get the mechanic friend.
 

Banditz

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Re: Clicks when trying to start

Look at it this way, its all preventaive mant. man. If you have a problem in one area like you do with the cable, why not replace it now so you know its good, then hope its ok and be out on the water only to find out it was not ok.

Reason it does the one click is you are making a "ok" connection that at low amps is sufficent to allow flow of energy to your devices. BUT when you try to increase that flow by starting the motor, you effectively "short" or break that connection there by stopping the flow of energy. This creates alot of heat, as well as black marks and burn spots on the shorting connection. Do this one quick test I give you and I am sure you will find the result I am speaking of. Go outside and do the little wiggle thing your talking about to get it to click. Do this about five or six times. Maybe few more i dunno exactly. Now, go to the cable and you will notice it getting warmer right? If it does, then theres your problem. The hottest part of the cable or joint is the bad spot. So there ya go, cheap as it gets, and as easy as it gets. Just wiggle the cables and keep trying to start the engine until the cable gets warm or hot. Then look for the hottest part of the cable and thats the problem area.
 

centextom

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Oct 17, 2007
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Re: Clicks when trying to start

Banditz, Im going to do that right now with my son, and Ill let you know what I find! Thx! Tom
 

centextom

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Oct 17, 2007
Messages
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Re: Clicks when trying to start

Yall are brilliant and awesome!! Banditz, I did what you said, and the positive side did get warm, so I pushed it hard and held it while my son tried to start the boat, and dam if it didnt start!!!!!!:D Now Im hoping this was also an intermitint that was making my trim gauge go irratically during the day. Also, what about the speedo, somtimes works and sometimes doesnt? Is that electric or a plugged hose, and where do I find the plugged hose? Thanks again Yall, From Tom in Texas!!!
 

centextom

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Joined
Oct 17, 2007
Messages
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Re: Clicks when trying to start

Gonna go to the auto parts store later and buy all new battery connectors, and next weekend since its a long holiday weekend, Ill get down in the engine compartment and change them out and put the new plugs in that ive been procrastinating to do! I should go back to the advanced auto parts store where I got the spark plugs because the sweet lady behind the counter that went in the back to fetch my 8 plugs only charged me for 1!!!
 

Banditz

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Apr 21, 2010
Messages
168
Re: Clicks when trying to start

LOL, gotta love a good deal! 8 for the price of 1!

Good job on the trace. Now just make sure you clean all the terminals and make all the joints good and tight. No half a@$ing here, do it right! Yes, gauge problem is likly battery issue. Happens when battery is not making good contact.

As for the speedo, well thats a whole nother issue. In the back you will have a little male"*****" looking appendage sticking out the back of the boat. It should be pointing straight down. There will be a tube that goes from it straight to the gauge. If thats intact, and not clogged, then your gauge may be bad. But probally have trash in the tube or tip of that appendage.

Oh yeah, only do one thing at a time from now on. That way if you have an issue you will know where to start. Like dont do plugs and a carb rebuild at the same time.if you mix up the plug cables, and dont know it, then try and start well you hav eno starting point to go from. at least doing it one at a tie you will know hey, only thing I touched was the spark plugs...so my problem has got to be there. Understand? Good luck!
 
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