Why is my boat not cranking everytime?

Question

sometimes when i turn the key it just goes "click'. sometimes it will crank then turn over. it has a brand new battery.

Answer 1

yup, 96.3% of all electrical problems on board boats are caused by corrosion/loose connections.

I use a dremel with a carbon steel wire brush, but sandpaper works, too, make 'em bright and tight-tight-tight!  if you have wingnuts on your battery posts, tighten 'em with pliers.

Don't forget the battery (-) cable connection to the engine block..

Answer 2

loose or corroded connection....remove all connections and clean with a wire brush, then replace and tighten...this should take care of the problem your experiencing, also you have a cable to the starter, this could also be the culprit but do the others and see if that takes care of your problem.

Answer 3

Is this an I/O?

Sounds like your starter motor is going bad. The wet environment is hard on them.

Two things, take a hammer with you and lightly tap the motor to loose the brushes so they can turn. Or replace. Rebuilt starters work just great.

Answer 4

Just make sure that "brand new battery" is "fully charged",

and battery clamps are clean a tight. Also check electrical connections for corrosion and proper fit.

If the wiring is all good next suspect either starter solenoid or motor, then if this fails look at the starter switch.

If your really ambitious you could use jumper leads from  the battery to the starter motor (hot wire), which would test their operation eliminating both possibilities.

http://www.brokeboats.com/electrical.htm...

Answer 5

first  check the cables on the battery make sure there tight and clean   then check your starter selenoid and your starter  if there tight   change your selenoid  its cheap and probably the problem   put a multimeter on the battery and see what happens to the volts when it doesnt start  does it drop or stay the same   it will give you something to go on