Create Profile or Login

Forum Menu

Home > Forum Home > General Forums > The Boat Shed

Boat Won't Start- 90hp ELPTO Two Stroke

  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - Boat Won't Start- 90hp ELPTO Two Stroke Forum Search Events FAQ FAQRegister RegisterLogin Login

 Post Reply Post Reply
Page  12>
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote jackel Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Boat Won't Start- 90hp ELPTO Two Stroke
    Posted: 25 Apr 2023 at 7:25pm
jackel View Drop Down
Platinum
Platinum
Avatar

Joined: 26 Nov 2006
Location: Auckland
Status: Offline
Points: 1223
Hi all, my outboard has been having intermittent starting problems but now it wont start at all. 

This is the process I have followed so far: Checked both batteries, are fully charged and sound. One battery was thought to be borderline (took them to battery specialist for testing) so replaced it with a new one. (Both fully charged when re-installed). Started fine after install. 

Boat has been sitting now for say three weeks approx. I attempted to run it up, as I do on muffs when not used for a period. It attempted to start, but it didn't fire. When I tried it again all I got was a click, I think its the solenoid but open to ideas. I have also wiggled the throttle lever in case the switch inside that was temperamental and the system though the motor was in gear. That has not resolved the problem. 

Cheers

Karl


Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Mc Tool Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Apr 2023 at 9:20am
Mc Tool View Drop Down
Gold
Gold


Joined: 23 Dec 2021
Location: Riverton
Status: Offline
Points: 594
Sounds like flat battery to me . The solenoid clicking is telling you that the battery has just enough left to operate solenoid but not enough to turn starter motor( they use a fair bit of power ) Do you have a battery isolator ? What might be happening is something is using power while boat is parked up . 3 weeks is easily long enough to flatten a decent sized battery if there is a light on or a radio with the volume turned down .......could even be a crook diode in your alternator . I would check battery charge and then isolate battery to see if it holds charge . You could test for battery drain if you have an amp meter .......and the nouse to use it without lead plating your facešŸ˜.
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote smudge Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Apr 2023 at 2:21pm
smudge View Drop Down
Moderator - Ninja
Moderator - Ninja
Avatar

Joined: 17 Jul 2002
Location: Te Toro
Status: Offline
Points: 33037
Solenoids switch heavy currents and are prone to getting bad connections on the internal contacts. The best way to check the solenoid is to put a voltmeter across the power cables, one coming from the battery, the other going to the starter motor. Your voltmeter should read 12v normally. When you attempt to start the motor you will hear the solenoid click. At that time the voltage should drop to zero or near to it. If you're getting a reading of two volts or more then replace the solenoid.

If you don't get 12v across the solenoid at first then you need to track down where the fault is. It is easier than it sounds. I'll draw a pic and post it here as it is easier than trying to explain it. I am a sparky btw.
Best gurnard fisherman in my street
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (1) Likes(1)   Quote smudge Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Apr 2023 at 3:08pm
smudge View Drop Down
Moderator - Ninja
Moderator - Ninja
Avatar

Joined: 17 Jul 2002
Location: Te Toro
Status: Offline
Points: 33037
Hope you can read this

Best gurnard fisherman in my street
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Tonto2 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Apr 2023 at 4:51pm
Tonto2 View Drop Down
Platinum
Platinum
Avatar

Joined: 25 Jun 2006
Status: Offline
Points: 2446
Hi Karl, I had a similar thing many years ago, we could not find a problem until i decided to change one of the leads. It looked immaculate on the outside but was severally corroded inside hence the reason it was an intermittent fault. Just hanging in by a few strands.
Your problem may well be different but worth a look.
cheers
slowly going where everyone else has already been
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote smudge Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Apr 2023 at 5:29pm
smudge View Drop Down
Moderator - Ninja
Moderator - Ninja
Avatar

Joined: 17 Jul 2002
Location: Te Toro
Status: Offline
Points: 33037
Originally posted by Tonto2 Tonto2 wrote:

Hi Karl, I had a similar thing many years ago, we could not find a problem until i decided to change one of the leads. It looked immaculate on the outside but was severally corroded inside hence the reason it was an intermittent fault. Just hanging in by a few strands.
Your problem may well be different but worth a look.
cheers

Those problems can be picked up with a voltmeter too. Put one lead on the battery terminal and the other on to the clamp, then work from the clamp to the lug, then from the lug to the exposed wire and so on. It only works when the circuit is fully loaded but if the reading is anything over 0.5v or so  that shows you where the issue is.
Best gurnard fisherman in my street
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote krow Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Apr 2023 at 8:20pm
krow View Drop Down
Titanium
Titanium
Avatar

Joined: 02 Aug 2007
Location: Whangarei
Status: Offline
Points: 6584
Originally posted by Tonto2 Tonto2 wrote:

Hi Karl, I had a similar thing many years ago, we could not find a problem until i decided to change one of the leads. It looked immaculate on the outside but was severally corroded inside hence the reason it was an intermittent fault. Just hanging in by a few strands.
Your problem may well be different but worth a look.
cheers
Me too Years of changing batteries, isolation switches, etc to find previous owner had saved a few dollars by extending one of the battery leads to the outboard with a bolt joint between the lugs. Wasn't visible as hidden under the rear transom. Last resort was to change the cables and that's how I found the cause of all my grief. If you have someone with you you can probably put a meter across the + and - at the starter when you attempt to turn it over and see if the voltage drops heaps. This would prove the cabling.

Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote jackel Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Apr 2023 at 8:04pm
jackel View Drop Down
Platinum
Platinum
Avatar

Joined: 26 Nov 2006
Location: Auckland
Status: Offline
Points: 1223
Hi guys, thanks a lot for the reply's, its all very helpful. I have charged the batteries again, but was surprised how quickly they discharged. Previously I had run the boat up, I would say monthly and it never had a problem starting, so this does seem different. I must also confess, I'm an ex plumber so as you could imagine not that great with electrical. I didn't put it in the original post sorry but its a twin battery set up with VSR. I will have a better look over it on the weekend though. Cheers Karl
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Nek minnit Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Apr 2023 at 10:20pm
Nek minnit View Drop Down
Bronze
Bronze


Joined: 30 Jan 2019
Status: Offline
Points: 74
Same thing happened to me. Lost trust in my outboard anyway it was the stator. Good luck!
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote krow Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Apr 2023 at 7:23pm
krow View Drop Down
Titanium
Titanium
Avatar

Joined: 02 Aug 2007
Location: Whangarei
Status: Offline
Points: 6584
Do you have isolation switches? Sounds like you have a power drain somewhere.

 
Old photo as now I have House-Parallel-Start and VSR as below. Highly recommend this setup. 



Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote jackel Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 May 2023 at 8:21pm
jackel View Drop Down
Platinum
Platinum
Avatar

Joined: 26 Nov 2006
Location: Auckland
Status: Offline
Points: 1223
Hi, yes I have one isolation switch for the two batteries, with VCR. Today I fully charged both batteries, cut off a couple of cable ends and reconnected. I cleaned up all visible terminals and lugs, reconnected and still the same. I think the next stage may be open up that switch and see what the connections look like in there. Or get someone who actually knows what they are doing...lol. 
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote jackel Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 May 2023 at 8:29pm
jackel View Drop Down
Platinum
Platinum
Avatar

Joined: 26 Nov 2006
Location: Auckland
Status: Offline
Points: 1223
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Kandrew Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 May 2023 at 8:45pm
Kandrew View Drop Down
Titanium
Titanium


Joined: 16 Apr 2012
Status: Offline
Points: 3974
I would try bypassing the solenoid with a pair of jumper cables and go straight onto the starter.

Sounds like a starter problem to me. The other thing is has it got a voltage meter, most fish finderā€™s do. See what the voltage drops to when you crank it over. If you donā€™t have a voltage meter you can turn the nav lights on and get someone to crank it over while you watch them, they shouldnā€™t dim to much.

Where are you based?
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (1) Likes(1)   Quote kimber7wsm Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 May 2023 at 7:16am
kimber7wsm View Drop Down
Gold
Gold


Joined: 28 Nov 2020
Status: Offline
Points: 557
FYI, on those batteries, all high draw items like starter motor, winch etc need to be drawn from the post. Not the screw terminals, they are only designed for low current draw.
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote jackel Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 May 2023 at 3:31pm
jackel View Drop Down
Platinum
Platinum
Avatar

Joined: 26 Nov 2006
Location: Auckland
Status: Offline
Points: 1223
Thanks for the info, regarding the posts. I thought it was an either/or option but now I know. I will sort that next.

Based in Royal Oak. 
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote smudge Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 May 2023 at 7:21pm
smudge View Drop Down
Moderator - Ninja
Moderator - Ninja
Avatar

Joined: 17 Jul 2002
Location: Te Toro
Status: Offline
Points: 33037
I have the busiest week! I really need to see what is going on. My bet is it is simply the solenoid but I'm tied up all week. Next week maybe I can help.
Best gurnard fisherman in my street
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Kandrew Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 May 2023 at 8:19pm
Kandrew View Drop Down
Titanium
Titanium


Joined: 16 Apr 2012
Status: Offline
Points: 3974
Pretty simple test, if the solenoid clicks but thereā€™s no current draw, lights donā€™t dim or voltage stays about the same. Then itā€™s probably the solenoid.

Again if the solenoid clicks and thereā€™s a lot of current draw, lights dim and the voltage drops. Then itā€™s probably the starter.

But also going straight to the terminal on the side of the starter with a jumper lead will show where the problem is. If thereā€™s a big spark and the starter does nothing, then it has a short in it, probably the armature which is pretty common on the 90 mercs and if the starter does nothing then itā€™s the starter. Probably worn out brushes.

But if the motor cranks over then itā€™s the solenoid.
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote smudge Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 May 2023 at 9:06pm
smudge View Drop Down
Moderator - Ninja
Moderator - Ninja
Avatar

Joined: 17 Jul 2002
Location: Te Toro
Status: Offline
Points: 33037
If the motor cranks over it isn't the solenoid. I think predictive txt got you there Kandrew
Best gurnard fisherman in my street
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Kandrew Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 May 2023 at 9:22pm
Kandrew View Drop Down
Titanium
Titanium


Joined: 16 Apr 2012
Status: Offline
Points: 3974
Originally posted by smudge smudge wrote:

If the motor cranks over it isn't the solenoid. I think predictive txt got you there Kandrew
yes youā€™re right dam phones.

It is the solenoid!
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote jackel Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 May 2023 at 1:02pm
jackel View Drop Down
Platinum
Platinum
Avatar

Joined: 26 Nov 2006
Location: Auckland
Status: Offline
Points: 1223
Right, some checks today reveal:

Both batteries reading 12.74 volts
The solenoid clicks and nav lights dim when I turn the key. 
I tried to connect a fully charged spare battery via jumper lead to the negative side of the solenoid. (to bypass solenoid) This one done with key on, and existing two charged batteries still connected. Nothing happened. 

Do I need to earth the negative on the spare battery to the motor also to complete the circuit? 
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply
Page  12>
Forum Jump
Forum Permissions View Drop Down


This page was generated in 0.438 seconds.

Most Thanked Forum Posts

6 Father and son
4 Manukau Harbour & West Coa...
3 Out With The over 12's &a...
3 Thank you fishing.net.nz
3 Out With The over 12's &a...
3 Auckland Yakkers
3 BOP Yakmen
2 Large Cobia caught off Perth
2 tauranga fishing
2 Auckland Yakkers

Fishing Reports Visit Reports

Saltwater Fishing Reports
Top of the South Fishing Report - 7/03/25

Dream run on range of species Well, the dream run in the Top of the... Read More >

07 Mar 2025
Saltwater Fishing Reports
Bream Bay Fishing Report - 07/03/25

What a difference a bay can make Depending on which end of Bream Bay you... Read More >

07 Mar 2025
Saltwater Fishing Reports
Outer Hauraki Gulf Fishing Report - 7/03/24

Workups at the Top of the Firth Our recent endeavours have focussed on the consistent... Read More >

07 Mar 2025
Saltwater Fishing Reports
Wellington Fishing Report - 7/03/25

Fish peaking Wow, the fishing is going off! We are certainly in the peak of... Read More >

07 Mar 2025
Fishing bite times Fishing bite times

Major Bites

Minor Bites

Major Bites

Minor Bites

All information © 2025 The Fishing Website