Starter electrical connection

[Keith7481]

Hi all,teri
I have a VP 350C, 2016. The battery switch is 3 position, off, 1 and both batteries. I put in new batteries this year and am having difficulty getting the starter to turn over. Specifically, on cold start, with the switch on battery 1, the starter will not turn over, when trying to start I hear a reduction in speed of the blower, and thats about it. When I switch to both batteries, it will start immediately. Heres where it gets confusing. If I let the engine run for 5 seconds and shut it down, and then put the power switch to 1, the engine will immediately start. Its as if on cold start, there is no good connection with the starter and it takes the power from both batteries to turn it over. But once the engine has turned over for a second and started, then less power is needed. My next test is to trun the engine over for a just a second with both batteries. but not let it start. And then switch to one battery to see if just the engine just turning over is making a difference.. Any thoughts are appreciated.

 

[alldodge]

I see it all as bad connections.
Most with this kind of issue they clean a connection or two which is good, but need more clean. Look close at the lug and under the insulation jacket. Most forget about the grounds, but they are very important

 

[Keith7481]

I'll check again, thanks. Do you think that would cause it to start with two batteries and only then, start on one battery?

 

[alldodge]

Anything is possible with bad connections, the bad connection can be with the switch

 

[Keith7481]

Power switch was my next check, how about the key itself?

 

[Scott Danforth]

its not the key, its a bad power connection giving you fits

start at the batteries with a wire brush or 150 grit and shine up every power connection between the batteries to the helm. both power AND ground.

then seal the connection with marine electrical varnish.

if any of the cables are chunky and green, replace them.

 

[dingbat]

Any time I run into possible thermal related situations I start looking at components in the circuit with windings and or contacts.

In this case, the primary suspects are the start relay and the starter itself.

 

[Keith7481]

I'll clean all the contacts, but that is my thought as well. May know more after I turn it over without starting it, and then see if it starts on one battery. Thanks.