Engines won't start!!! Batteries?

Discussion of batteries, chargers, wiring, generators, distribution panels, battery switches, etc.
Viper
CYO Supporter
CYO Supporter
Posts: 6266
Joined: July 10th, 2015, 9:58 pm
Vessel Info: 1989 Carver 3807 Aft Cabin
Location: Ontario, Canada
Has thanked: 475 times
Been thanked: 1791 times

Re: Engines won't start!!! Batteries?

Post by Viper »

It's likely you have bad batteries or a poor battery cable connection somewhere, either at the batteries or starter, or grounds on the blocks. Check all the connections, make sure they are clean, free from corrosion, and tight.
User avatar
bud37
Admiral
Admiral
Posts: 5182
Joined: April 23rd, 2015, 10:22 pm
Has thanked: 604 times
Been thanked: 1312 times

Re: Engines won't start!!! Batteries?

Post by bud37 »

Just saw your post Viper as was writing, I agree.....

After rereading all this ,it appears you have one good new battery...if so, can you just put that battery in where one of the others is and try to start with that known good battery.....just put the battery switch in the position for that good battery.....if those others were submerged at any point they are scrap.....batteries are fairly cheap in the scheme of things.....you most definitely need known good ones to see what is going on for sure.
FWIW.....The above is just my opinion.
User avatar
tomschauer
Admiral
Admiral
Posts: 2323
Joined: March 28th, 2016, 10:52 pm
Vessel Info: 1998 Carver 355
Suspicious Fishes !
2022 Kawasaki 310X
Location: upper chesapeake bay
Has thanked: 326 times
Been thanked: 602 times

Re: Engines won't start!!! Batteries?

Post by tomschauer »

If the volt meter drops and they are trying to turn or clicking the solenoids then your neutral safety circuit is ok. As Bud and Viper mention, it is most likely either bad connections or bad batteries.
Disconnect all of the cables, grounds first, take a bit of sandpaper to the battery posts and the cable connectors until they are clean and shiny. Reconnect positive first and firmly tighten all connections.
Poor or dirty connections can pass voltage but fail to pass the amperage required to turn a motor over.
User avatar
mjk1040
Admiral
Admiral
Posts: 1531
Joined: July 30th, 2015, 8:15 am
Vessel Info: 1998 355 AC/MY "Deja Vu"
Location: Savannah, NY
Has thanked: 9 times
Been thanked: 248 times

Re: Engines won't start!!! Batteries?

Post by mjk1040 »

Batteries Junk! Or ur cables "R"!
Mike :down:
I'd Rather Be Boating!
1989 Sea Ray Seville
1986 Carver Mariner 32'
1990's Thompson 22' Cuddy Cabin
1990's 4Winns 245 Vista Cruiser
1980's Thompson 19' Open Bow
User avatar
RGrew176
Admiral
Admiral
Posts: 6652
Joined: August 17th, 2015, 4:07 am
Vessel Info: 2023 SunTracker Party Barge 22 DLX
Location: Southgate, MI.
Has thanked: 72 times
Been thanked: 470 times

Re: Engines won't start!!! Batteries?

Post by RGrew176 »

Just to add another possibility. I once had a car that started up as it should. Noticed it getting harder to start and finally one day it would not start, nothing. Looked at all the connections. All were clean and clear of any corrosion. Finally I took my pocket knife and sliced a bit of the cable covering off. The positive cable was full of corrosion about 1/2" from the connector and about 2" of cable was green with corrosion.

I replaced the cable and all was fine after that. Apparently the corrosion was blocking any electrical current. May not be your problem but worth a look if nothing else is found.
Rick Grew

2025 Godfrey Xperience 2286 SFLX

2004 Past Commodore
West River Yacht & Cruising Club
User avatar
km1125
Admiral
Admiral
Posts: 3657
Joined: February 28th, 2017, 6:04 pm
Has thanked: 81 times
Been thanked: 1114 times

Re: Engines won't start!!! Batteries?

Post by km1125 »

Definitely sounds like either the batteries are toast or they have corroded connections.
PJHoffnet
Deck Hand
Deck Hand
Posts: 93
Joined: August 27th, 2016, 12:28 pm
Has thanked: 55 times
Been thanked: 18 times

Re: Engines won't start!!! Batteries?

Post by PJHoffnet »

I'll just toss this out ... my FireBoy system had a short in it that prevented (wouldn't allow) the engines from starting. They would 'crank' which may be 'further' than you're getting right now, but they wouldn't turn over and run. Just a thought, maybe the batteries are ok, but some other 'safety' feature is preventing the starting?
User avatar
km1125
Admiral
Admiral
Posts: 3657
Joined: February 28th, 2017, 6:04 pm
Has thanked: 81 times
Been thanked: 1114 times

Re: Engines won't start!!! Batteries?

Post by km1125 »

RGrew176 wrote:Qr Bbpost
I replaced the cable and all was fine after that. Apparently the corrosion was blocking any electrical current. May not be your problem but worth a look if nothing else is found.

Also, when checking connections, don't forget the battery ground connections on the engine(s)
User avatar
RickieT
Deck Hand
Deck Hand
Posts: 52
Joined: June 17th, 2017, 5:33 pm
Vessel Info: Carver 350 Mariner 1997
Location: Sausalito, CA
Has thanked: 18 times
Been thanked: 3 times
Contact:

Re: Engines won't start!!! Batteries?

Post by RickieT »

Will do...thanks everyone!!!
User avatar
RickieT
Deck Hand
Deck Hand
Posts: 52
Joined: June 17th, 2017, 5:33 pm
Vessel Info: Carver 350 Mariner 1997
Location: Sausalito, CA
Has thanked: 18 times
Been thanked: 3 times
Contact:

Re: Engines won't start!!! Batteries?

Post by RickieT »

Bought a new starter battery and a new 1000 deep cycle for the low low low price of $350 all in. Plopped them in and this baby started right up!!! Problem solved...
Post Reply