Boat Engine Won't Start Troubleshooting Steps

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  • Опубликовано: 7 сен 2024
  • How to fix a boat engine that won't start. There are many reasons why a boat engine will not start and I try to provide as many potential problems as possible within this video. When I took my boat out for the first day of the boating season today (Bayliner 185 Bowrider boat with MerCruiser 3.0 TKS 4-cylinder engine), my engine would not crank! I turned the key and heard no noise! This was strange because my accessories (radio, depth finder, etc.) all had power. I explain the solution to my boat engine not starting within this video and identify many other potential causes as well. Please share this video with others and be sure to subscribe to the IrixGuy Adventure Channel ( / irixguy ) and enjoy all of my boating HOW-TO videos! Have a good day! Filmed with Canon XA10 camera.

Комментарии • 101

  • @jameslunders823
    @jameslunders823 3 года назад +3

    Thanks for the video. Have a 4.3 Merc that would not start. It was the breaker behind the carb. Saved me a ton of time winterizing.

    • @Infamousways
      @Infamousways 2 года назад

      Did you replace the breaker or just pushed it?

  • @TOURMANBOB
    @TOURMANBOB 5 лет назад +3

    Thanks. I watched your video and then checked the kill switch....major starting problem solved. This goes to show the old adage"always check the simple things first" still very much applies.
    I owe you one....

    • @IrixGuy
      @IrixGuy  5 лет назад

      Definitely! The most simple things are often the root cause!

    • @johnbooker8434
      @johnbooker8434 5 лет назад

      My boat cranked on the initial start. But after a few tries nothing happened, I've checked as much as i could still nothing. Help. John.

    • @edillopez7221
      @edillopez7221 3 года назад

      @@johnbooker8434 check your battery pana...maybe theres not enough charge in it to crank it....

    • @Horribulus
      @Horribulus 3 года назад

      Uh

  • @nlainus
    @nlainus 4 года назад +3

    I have a Merc 5.0 260HP and it would crank but not start. After 3 weeks of my marina mechanics couldn't figure it out and tried to replace the ECM (brains) it turned out to be a 20A micro fuse on the motor.

  • @Technicalgee
    @Technicalgee 5 лет назад +2

    Thanks man
    I fixed my issue
    My main fuse on the motor needed to be reset
    I was working on this for hours thanks

    • @IrixGuy
      @IrixGuy  5 лет назад +1

      Woohoo!!!!!!

  • @dpforumdog4844
    @dpforumdog4844 5 лет назад +5

    Our mercruiser 3.0 failed to start after we installed a new battery. The trim would work but that is all. We accidentally hooked the battery up wrong and when you do that it causes the 90A fuse to blow. I learned this is a common problem when de-winterizing your boat.

    • @danlee1904
      @danlee1904 Месяц назад

      Where is the 90 amp fuse located

  • @dukealliefifi
    @dukealliefifi 8 лет назад +1

    Thanks for all of your videos, we are first time boat owners and have a 2002 Bayliner Capri-bought it used. I paid over a grand two wks ago to fix a leak and solenoid. yesterday, we were on the lake, fished a bit and it wouldn't start back up. Now I am going to try to look for the fuses, battery is fine and connected. It happened after we had already had it out on the lake for about an hour. Starting to not like being a boat owner...

  • @bryonmoffett523
    @bryonmoffett523 Год назад +1

    Not that it mattters now but I found I had the same thing (but radio didn't work - I hooked that up though so maybe it was done differently than OEM). I checked the 90amp fuse, the relay on top of engine behind throttlebody and the issue ended up being the little red reset button behind the throttle body. On mine, it has a yellow plastic piece that came down (so the button wouldn't stay in). I saw the yellow piece below it just hanging there and it is now running. Wtf. I lost a day (another one after dealing with a boat that sat for 4 years without being run - but in a garage/climate controlled). Hottest day of the year and I was outside swearing as loudly as I could have. I've got a really nice boat for sale if anyone is looking, lol. 60 hours. 2012 crownline 4.3 tks. Great shape (almost new condition). I can't believe what basket case mode this thing went into after cleaning throttle body, replacing filters, oil, pumping grease to the zerg fittings, filling the tank with better gas (it was 1/3 full initially), removing the electric fuel pump (also bought a backup), new cap and rotor. I also got the speed sensor to work again as well as the oil pressure sending unit. Temp gauge went out 5 years ago and so I got that working again. Holy hell. Boats really do take the fun out of life sometimes. Good luck, everyone!

    • @IrixGuy
      @IrixGuy  Год назад

      LOL thank you for sharing!

  • @francogiaquinto6518
    @francogiaquinto6518 4 года назад +2

    Hi! Any chance you can give me a hand? Our boat won't start....the engine is definitely turning over and sounding but won't turn on...is it the ignition? Maybe dirty gas pumps? Where should I start?

  • @arun9020555455
    @arun9020555455 3 года назад +3

    Also Chance to Glogged fuel filter and air coming in fuel line

    • @Infamousways
      @Infamousways 2 года назад

      but would this prevent it from clicking or crankin?

  • @bonis6952
    @bonis6952 3 года назад +1

    You just saved the day!

    • @IrixGuy
      @IrixGuy  3 года назад +1

      Thank you!

  • @BBOYCHENGIE
    @BBOYCHENGIE 5 лет назад +4

    I have a 1995 115hp Mercury outboard. Battery is new I connected the positive and negative wires to the battery but boat power comes on but it won't start. Could it be need a new cable wires for the positive and negative?

    • @MC-uj4co
      @MC-uj4co 5 лет назад

      BBOYCHENGIE yes the battery cable's do go bad if there bad they will get hot

  • @JoseMartinez-vs1fg
    @JoseMartinez-vs1fg 6 лет назад +2

    Thanks for the video!! Could the trim sensors cut the power so that the motor does not start?

  • @alphy79d
    @alphy79d 11 лет назад +7

    Don't forget the starter. I had to tap mine with the handle of a screwdriver to get it to turn over. Luckily we were stuck on an nice sandy lake beach for the 2 hours it took to remember this solution.

  • @paulzo2o9
    @paulzo2o9 Месяц назад

    At the dock today and turn key starter spinning but won’t ignite. It is on neutral kill switch is runnijg. Please help. Outboard mercury 60 horse 4 stroke

  • @frankeberhart8178
    @frankeberhart8178 10 лет назад

    thanks man, it was the reset button, saved me some money, thanks again, frank

  • @SouzaxSouzax
    @SouzaxSouzax 2 месяца назад +1

    Any ine can help me please, im new on the boat world , i have a old 1995 seadoo Sportster 650 jet boat, the problem what I have is everyttime i start up take a little long ti turn on , i change the spark plugs i dont known what else can be , please help

    • @IrixGuy
      @IrixGuy  2 месяца назад +1

      Best of luck! Many mechanics won’t even touch jet boats :(

  • @gigijazzy123
    @gigijazzy123 4 года назад

    We have a glastron gts 2016 207 jet boat. We were on the water running a few minutes later it turned off and then does not want to turn back on, no crank or anything the check engine light goes flashing. if I disconnect the battery and leave it about 10 seconds and connect it back the boat turns back on with no problem but will only stay on for another few minutes ( boat has a brand new battery)

  • @s.m2153
    @s.m2153 4 года назад +1

    It's could be too much Benzin inside the motor, one issue could be solve by taking out the extra Benzin from Outboarder

  • @rjmaintenance48
    @rjmaintenance48 5 лет назад +1

    The boat has been storaged and now the season start and I am ready to go to the water but,
    I have problems with the boat it cranks but won't start the engine
    I opened the distributor cap and was all rusted I replaced it and still have that problem,
    What I did also I remove the spark and was all wet of fuel I believe was because I try to start a few times,
    What I didn't check is the fuses maybe one is burned,
    Any idea? Please your opinions will help me a lot

    • @IrixGuy
      @IrixGuy  5 лет назад

      I’d take it to a mechanic if it was me.

  • @howardpercy2436
    @howardpercy2436 5 лет назад

    2000 Glastron, Volvo Penta 5.0. Boat ran perfectly day 1. Day 2 engine started and then just shut off. Engine cranks but no fuel delivery to carburetor. Only 5 hours on new electric low pressure fuel pump. How do I electrically trouble shoot?

  • @TheVikke2
    @TheVikke2 10 лет назад +4

    What if the the engine turns couple times but then everything shutsdown? like dials go to zero etc...

  • @davidbell1291
    @davidbell1291 9 лет назад +1

    Hi
    I have a Bayliner 285 sb 2006 model 350 mercury mag engine and when we are cruisng along at around 3000 revs and temp is 175 it occasionally makes two warning bleeps and then can be quiet for a while and then makes the two warning bleeps again any ideas
    Regards and thanks for reading
    David Bell

    • @IrixGuy
      @IrixGuy  9 лет назад

      +David Bell Not sure temperature alarm possibly?

  • @TimsWorkshopTJY
    @TimsWorkshopTJY 7 лет назад +1

    dude, I have been tearing what hair I have left trying to figure this out and right after watching this went out and cleaned the other battery ground cable and hooked it up. presto the motor cranked? I only have one battery in and never have had both in. what is odd was with the one ground cable the trim works and I could hear the solenoid click when I turned the key but wouldn't turn the starter. anyway it works now. Thanks

    • @IrixGuy
      @IrixGuy  7 лет назад

      Very cool! #boating

  • @MrRodneywreese
    @MrRodneywreese 8 лет назад +1

    I have a 91 sunbird with a 4 cylinder ford engine. the engine will crank and run as long as I keep the key turned. As soon as I let go of the key to stop the starter from spinning the engine shuts off. Any suggestons would be helpful

  • @frankiemontana1520
    @frankiemontana1520 9 лет назад

    hey Dave trying to start my 17ft Baja 85 Yamaha engine battery is charged I put red to positive black to neg.there's 3 more wires orange with a fuse and 2 black wires . one black wire has a blue tag other has a clear just not sure what wire go were.can you help please..... when I try to start boat no start... thanks anthony

  • @IrixGuy
    @IrixGuy  11 лет назад +2

    Woohoo! Good eyes :). Gotta love Bermuda!

  • @davemoorehead3860
    @davemoorehead3860 7 лет назад +1

    My key intermittently does not trigger starter. Almost got stranded yesterday. Ignition switch,solenoid, or starter?

    • @IrixGuy
      @IrixGuy  7 лет назад

      +Dave Moorehead If it wasn't intermittent, I'd suggest checking the battery's charge but that doesn't seem to be the case. Not sure :(

    • @marlinbougher3048
      @marlinbougher3048 6 лет назад

      If you hear a click when you turn the key to start, more than likely it's the solenoid or the Hendrix gear not engaging the flywheel

  • @coltlemmon8568
    @coltlemmon8568 6 лет назад

    I really need some help I have a 4.3 omc cobra i/o it's an 1988 so I have no fuses no safety switch like this gentleman described I can not get my to start with the key I have to jump the starter solenoid every time it has a brand new starter brand new starter solenoid wires are tight please help it also makes no noise it does absolutely nothing with the key

    • @danlee1904
      @danlee1904 Месяц назад

      Same thing with my 98 mercrusier..power at the starter but key doesnt do anything..also no gauges or blower works...just the trim works

  • @harishpatel8671
    @harishpatel8671 4 года назад +1

    2012 Mercury Mercruiser 3.0 mpi cranks but wont start no spark at sparkplug ECM tested safety kill switch okay all fuses are okay !! 50 amps main fuse on engine block has been reset fuel pump tested
    Battery tender keeps the battery at PAR 12v+ Trim works fine wht could be wrong?????!!!!

    • @IrixGuy
      @IrixGuy  4 года назад

      I have no idea. Sorry :(

  • @harishpatel8671
    @harishpatel8671 4 года назад +1

    Its Inboard Alpha drive

  • @IrixGuy
    @IrixGuy  11 лет назад

    Great tip and nice place to be stuck :)

  • @stephenweber3082
    @stephenweber3082 9 лет назад +1

    I have a 1986 Evinrude 70 hp that just cranks slow, batteries are brand new and full charged. I put the boat in the water and flooded the motor and the motor cranked fast for a few minutes, spitted and sputtered a few times then the next crank was to slow to start the motor, any ideas? Thanks in advance!

    • @IrixGuy
      @IrixGuy  9 лет назад

      Stephen Weber Sorry, no clue. I'm not a mechanic but have had problems starting my boat before that I mentioned here =( Wish that I had a better answer.

    • @jeffpatzwahl3724
      @jeffpatzwahl3724 6 лет назад

      +IrixGuy's Adventure Channel steve take the plugs out turn it over with the plugs out mabie it will blow the fuel out of the spark plug cylinders your loaded up with fuel then heat the plugs up then put back in should start

  • @danielmoddes7595
    @danielmoddes7595 2 года назад

    Thanks for the video. I have a Chris craft I/O. Worked fine until yesterday when I starting it. Won’t turn over. Just clicks. Blower doesn’t work either.
    Everything else works. Connected the battery to another battery in case it was still somehow a battery issue. No change.
    I checked fuses under the helm.
    The blower and ignition are next to each other on the dash.
    Any ideas? Thanks in advance

  • @HDaDaRa
    @HDaDaRa 4 года назад

    Well i have question. Took a boat on the run for the 4th of july, yesterday run boat dry. This morning 5 am went for fishing, all gear on. Got to the ramp. Straps off, am am thinking let me start a boat for sec. Well u guess nothing happen. Parked on side, disconnect boat from truck, jumpers on still nothing ( Find out starter dead) went in west marine got new starter now boat starts but will not keep running. Any idea why is that . Thanks in Advance D

    • @harveyroad6
      @harveyroad6 3 года назад

      Did you changing Fuel filter/water separator. They last a year or more but when it's done it's done.

  • @davidbell1291
    @davidbell1291 9 лет назад

    Hi
    Can you explain where the temperature alarm actually is
    Regards

    • @IrixGuy
      @IrixGuy  9 лет назад

      +David Bell Now that is beyond my skill level unfortunately =(

  • @jenniferwalker8000
    @jenniferwalker8000 7 лет назад

    which way should the starter turn

  • @erikchilcott8068
    @erikchilcott8068 10 лет назад

    Didn't know about this Red/Yellow Reset button on the 4.3 Merc? Does anyone know anything more about this?

  • @BoeingRules100
    @BoeingRules100 10 лет назад +3

    No, thats not about it. One of the most common reasons why boaters cant start their engine is a FLOODED ENGINE. When you prime the engine and or pump the fuel ball too many times this can cause an engine to become flooded and thus not start. One should wait at least 20 min before trying to crank the engine again. And dont prime the engine.

  • @antenehabebe5042
    @antenehabebe5042 9 лет назад

    I have a Mercruiser 3.0 and this is my problem:
    engine starts norma for the first time (cold starting) but after working for some minutes, i shut it off and when i tried to start it for the second time it will not start.
    Fuel system is ok, Igition is ok. when i checked all spark plugs number 2 and 3 are found a littele bit wet.

  • @peterflanagan9828
    @peterflanagan9828 3 года назад +1

    I was stuck on the water for 4 hours today. Many people drove by. Nobody cared

    • @IrixGuy
      @IrixGuy  3 года назад

      Unfortunately, they’re usually too drunk to care. I rescued a boater in a lighting storm once that was paddling and their boat with the top of a cooler. I got them back to shore and not even a “thank you!”

  • @shaun8353
    @shaun8353 5 лет назад

    I let my brother-in-law use my boat and he ran it fine then cut it off and he tried to cut it back on and the motor will turn but won't fire up? Its getting plenty of power I can't figure out what's going on maybe it's the fuel pump?

    • @harveyroad6
      @harveyroad6 3 года назад

      Fuel filter/ water separator

  • @jacquelinevelez3073
    @jacquelinevelez3073 7 лет назад +1

    Why the engine turn off after a while? It turn on but doesn't keep on

    • @IrixGuy
      @IrixGuy  7 лет назад

      Not sure....water in fuel maybe?

    • @danieldostie4181
      @danieldostie4181 7 лет назад

      what about gas in your oil , what may cause this?

    • @510purple
      @510purple 6 лет назад

      idle screw

  • @bermudatrianglers1184
    @bermudatrianglers1184 4 года назад +1

    Wait is this in Bermuda? Looks like it from our white roofs

    • @IrixGuy
      @IrixGuy  4 года назад

      That is indeed Bermuda :). 🇧🇲

  • @nicholasborg6169
    @nicholasborg6169 2 года назад +1

    Not start boat no spark

  • @Fr0oCrEw
    @Fr0oCrEw 10 лет назад

    We accidentally left the batteries on for a few weeks and when we went to go on it last week, we realized what we did. The batteries were dead. We charged all of the batteries and it is still not starting. Any ideas?

    • @IrixGuy
      @IrixGuy  10 лет назад

      Take battery to local Oreily, Auto Zone, etc. they should be able to test battery and tell you if you need to buy a new one or not. I did that for a 3 year old battery and turned out I needed a new one. I'd suggest using a solar battery maintainer when not in use to prevent battery from dying. You can find one of those on Yarkodius.com

  • @michaelowens5491
    @michaelowens5491 7 лет назад

    how do I get my flooded outboard motor unflooded. I'm trying to go to lake today

    • @Horribulus
      @Horribulus 3 года назад

      Turn off the fuel and crank the puppy til your arm aches. Then fuel back on,pull/push and Ur good to go y'all.

  • @clatevanderpool3319
    @clatevanderpool3319 8 лет назад +1

    my engine is not priming

  • @AlexAlex-bj1vi
    @AlexAlex-bj1vi 4 года назад +1

    What that fuck keys battery !!!!!!!!!!!

  • @MrsBuddevil
    @MrsBuddevil Год назад

    Ok my red button is missing ALL together.. pleAse help

  • @derekanglero7359
    @derekanglero7359 5 лет назад +2

    what’s up with the 1980s microphone set up lmao

    • @IrixGuy
      @IrixGuy  5 лет назад

      LOL I’ve upgraded since filming this video.

    • @iselili2
      @iselili2 2 года назад

      I thought the same but he works it good…

  • @edillopez7221
    @edillopez7221 3 года назад

    Thank u.....and NO you are not stupid pana

  • @fishingwithnando707nunez8
    @fishingwithnando707nunez8 8 лет назад +1

    shit happened to me today :(, so I had to fish the jettis

    • @IrixGuy
      @IrixGuy  8 лет назад

      +Nando Nunez OH NO!

  • @johngifford4757
    @johngifford4757 4 года назад +1

    Loo l loo

  • @delzotto777
    @delzotto777 8 лет назад +2

    yea you should feel stupid lol.. jks buddy..

    • @IrixGuy
      @IrixGuy  8 лет назад

      +Dan Delzotto ROFL