www.iFourWinns.com

Hello,
I have a 1997 4 winns horizon 180 with a volvo penta 4.3 i/o. It is stamped OMC as well, so it is from that era where the two companies were linked. On the maiden launch this season, the outdrive lowered normally, but then the starter didn't turn over- clicked but that's it. The battery is a few years old so I tried to jump it but still didn't work. Figuring I had a bad starter, I went to raise the out drive, and it also made a clicking sound, but the trim tilt motor didn't engage. I have had no issues with the trim tilt since getting the boat 3 years ago, so I wonder if these problems are somehow linked? Hoping for a fuse/switch problem that will be easy, but getting less optimistic. Any insight would be welcome. Thanks.
Keith

The first thing to check are the posts where the negative cable(s) from the battery attach to the engine. They corrode like mad ( not helped by the myriad of different metals used there and the exhaust drains dumping water on them).

And if they were still using crappy automotive cables then, take them off, bring them to a proper marine shop and have them make you up the same length cables, #2 gauge tinned wire, with proper clamps on them. This is one of the biggest problems with production boats, when they scrimp on the most basic stuff that later causes chronic problems.

Both the starter and the trim system draw a lot of amps. Cheap corroded internally wiring, corroded terminals, etc will more or less cause chronic problems.
The first thing I did to my '88 was throw away the cheap cables, and put in a dual battery system with proper marine cables and cleaned the engine grounds.

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

Checking cables and connections is very good advice. Many electrical problems have been caused by bad connections. You mentioned that the battery is a few years old. You said that you tried to jump it. I would also recommend either having the battery checked or just replace it. If it has a few years on it you will be replacing it soon anyway. Did you notice if the trim motor sounded different this spring than last year?

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Surface Interval: A scuba diving term for that time between dives to relax and prepare for life's next great adventure.

Current boat: '02 FW 268 Vista
Previous boat: '95 FW 190 Horizon

I actually did get a new battery and there was no change. It was strange that the tilt trim had gone up and down after I charged it before putting it in the water and then went down fine then stopped working. There was no noticeable difference in the tilt trim motor since the fall.
Thanks.