Help Please? 2003 4.3L EFI intermittent starting problems

valid8r

Cadet
Joined
Jun 20, 2011
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I would appreciate anyone's advice and thoughts on troubleshooting the following problem. 2003 Smokercraft with a little used 4.3L EFI. Have only owned the boat this season. Well maintained by original owner who is available.

Symptom: Intermittently, when I turn the key on my ignition - I get nothing. No solenoid click, no starter, nothing, but I do have power to the rest of the boat (hyrdaulics, lights, etc). If I let the boat sit for a few hours and try it again, it'll start right up. I may or may not be able to start it if I turn it off after cruising around for a few minutes - seems to depend on the phase of the moon. But reliably, if I wait long enough she fires right up.

Troubleshooting done so far: Replaced battery, cleaned cables, charged battery, checked ignition fuse (the one near the ignition switch).

My current theory: Since it seems to be related to whether the boat has been 'warmed up' for awhile, could there be some sort of electrical 'open' that occurs when it is warmed up? I can't imagine what this might look like, but it's the only thing I can think of. Could the starter solenoid be getting hot somehow?

Thoughts?

Thanks,
Jon
 
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