tohatsu 4stroke 9.8 elec start starting/charging issue

[daveznspace]

This is a 06 or 07 I forget which..

When I push the electric start button there is nothing, no cranking.. nothing
It's not charging battery either.

The previous owner had connected the battery cables to the plug with bolts thru o-clamps and they were corroded so I cut both wires back until the wires weren't corroded and crimped them together and put heat shrink over them but I still wasn't getting output from the engine thru that. Next I tested the battery which was at 12.59 and when engine is running it goes up occasionally to 12.60 even when revving it up.

I know jack squat about boat motors and this motor is fairly new and not a ton of use on it.

Any suggestions?

tia

dave

 

[pvanv]

Re: tohatsu 4stroke 9.8 elec start starting/charging issue

I take it you have an MFS9.8A3. Probably an EF or EP type (the EF is with tiller, the EP is with remote control). Year is not important, but exact model/serial from the sticker on the motor is critical.

Sounds like there's no 12v power going/coming to/from the motor at all. You could have a blown fuse. 20-amp, in a yellow fuse holder/cover near the upper front of the motor. Otherwise, check all cable connections for corrosion.

Keep in mind that the start circuit will not engage if the motor is in gear, because there is a neutral safety switch.

If you jumper the two large high-amp posts on the start solenoid, the starter should turn. If it doesn't, then you definitely have more than just a fuse problem.

 

[daveznspace]

Re: tohatsu 4stroke 9.8 elec start starting/charging issue

Thanks for the reply.

it is a 2006 MFS9. 8A3 3V2
EF
serial 047495XF

The fuse is ok
no corrosion on wires inside, looks new

I will try the old screwdriver across starter and see as well.

Thanks again

 

[daveznspace]

Re: tohatsu 4stroke 9.8 elec start starting/charging issue

I knew about the "in gear" and I been starting it manually.

hitting the 2 posts on start solenoid does nothing...

 

[daveznspace]

Re: tohatsu 4stroke 9.8 elec start starting/charging issue

now when I touch a multimeter to the post on starter solenoid that goes to battery I am getting output there.. set on dc 20 0.75 aver.

that cord plugs into side of boat with a 3 prong plug like a trolling motor and between that and the battery the cabe is cut for fuses and extended. I can see some corrosion in there so I'm going to splice those lines and reconnect better and move the fuses to end of cable right to battery.

I'm hoping its maybe just that cable. We got rain last night and i i turned bilges on today and electronics dont have power either. All fuses are fine .

 

[pvanv]

Re: tohatsu 4stroke 9.8 elec start starting/charging issue

Sounds like you have it on the run -- heading in the right direction. The fact that the pumps and stuff on the boat are also not working is a huge clue... No 12v going to the motor, due to problems on the boat itself. When chasing bad connections (don't forget about the grounds as well!), I usually start half way between the "known good" area and the "known bad" area. That way, you cut the troubleshooting in half.

If you put a good battery right to the cables for the motor, you will cut out all the boat complexities, and that will tell you a lot. If the motor then starts, you have confirmed that the issue(s) are in the boat. If not, you still have something at the motor to check.

 

[daveznspace]

Re: tohatsu 4stroke 9.8 elec start starting/charging issue

I don't know why I didnt think of that. I cut the cables from the motor before they go into the plugs and thru the boat and went straight to the battery and she started right up.

I went to auto store and bought some #1 connectors a breaker switch (which they recommended over a fuse) and some Noalox so I can take out the bad connections and put better ones in. Unfortunately I can't follow the whole cable thru the boat since its closed off but i'd assume the main connections I am seeing are the bad ones.

I'll report back after I do it tomorrow.

thanks

 

[pvanv]

Re: tohatsu 4stroke 9.8 elec start starting/charging issue

I believe you've got it. The fixes may be cumbersome to execute, since a lot of the wiring is concealed, but you now know that the problem is between the battery and the boat's connection to the motor cables.

Be careful of an automotive grade breaker, especially if you will be in salt water. If it's a low-grade, garden-variety unit, it may be subject to premature corrosion and failure. FWIW, the motor itself does not require a dedicated breaker or fuse aside from the internal 20-amp fuse, though it wouldn't hurt to be able to isolate the motor and the rest of the system, especially when troubleshooting.

 

[daveznspace]

Re: tohatsu 4stroke 9.8 elec start starting/charging issue

I was wondering about that breaker. Right now it has 2 inline fuses in cheap holders that get stepped on will and break the fuse. The boat is a goofy little waterquest 10.6. The battery is supposed to sit up on the front deck behind the seat. The cable was long enough to put in back of the boat as i wanted to move it off the front deck so I could put some padding down to stand or lay on and to keep out of the way.

The concealed cable is inaccessible but where it comes out is the point of problems I think. I don't have a boat shop here and went into auto shop to find crimps for that big battery wire and asked them about fuse to battery and they said yeah absolutely. I thought the breaker would be better and figured I could coat it with some 4200/5200 3m or something and if it goes down on the water then worse case I could take it right off and go right to battery to get home. Couldnt do that with fuse without considerable effort. My anchor system needs a breaker to so I figured...

The electrics are pretty simple and the little console it has for the other electronics has a few fuses on that end, so would I even need on on battery cable?

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: tohatsu 4stroke 9.8 elec start starting/charging issue

No. For the record, I tried to just say no and it wouldn't take it...I had to add a period

 

[daveznspace]

Re: tohatsu 4stroke 9.8 elec start starting/charging issue

lol.. that's kinda funny.

I think i found the problem. Under the shrink tubing on the ground it was a rusty mess.

 

[daveznspace]

Re: tohatsu 4stroke 9.8 elec start starting/charging issue

Got it put back together and took 1 extension cable out worked great
Hard to believe all that power was zapped from 1 connection.

I didnt put a fuse to battery so hopefully it wont burn

Thanks for all your help... It's been a stressful week with a friend in ICU and I just didn't think of the obvious with so much on my mind but I really do appreciate it!

Took it out to lake down the street and worked good and even lipped a few nice bass and lost my shoes lol