www.iFourWinns.com

So I went to winterize the boat this weekend, but when I turned the key to start it I got nothing (not even a click). At first I thought the battery was dead as it has been sitting since the end of July without being ran (our baby girl was born Aug. 19). Checked the battery and cables and all was good.

Next I pulled the starter solenoid and checked the voltage coming from the battery (~12.0V) and coming from the key (~1.7V). I put the solenoid back, but still nothing.

Finally, I pulled the solenoid again and used a jumper wire to bypass the relay and it turned over. After finally getting it to start and letting it run for awhile, I decided I would give the solenoid one more try. Sure enough it worked just fine. So now my question is, what is bad: the starter, the start solenoid, or something else?

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2001 Four Winns Horizon 180LE, VP 4.3GL/SX
2006 Ford F-150 Extended Cab 4x4, 5.4L

Be aware it's possible for a battery to read 12V but have inadequate current to crank an engine. I doubt that's the case here, but it's something to note.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

I would say that the starter is not likely at fault. Since you did have voltage to the solenoid (on the wire from the ignition switch, with key is START, right?), it's likely that the solenoid is at fault, even though it is now working.

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Gordon Arnold
New Hampshire

2003 268 Vista ..................................................................Prior: 97 245 Sundowner

Yeah, I was turning the key to the start position to see the voltage at the solenoid. The solenoid was my first guess too when I was able to bypass it to get the starter to crank, but I was suprised it started working again. I didn't check the voltage across the solenoid after it started working again, but I can't imagine that it would have changed.

Ahhh....the mystery of electrons!

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2001 Four Winns Horizon 180LE, VP 4.3GL/SX
2006 Ford F-150 Extended Cab 4x4, 5.4L

Do you have a starter relay? If so, it is likely to be in black box near the motor. On my H180, I have a relay for trim up, down, and starter. I had the exact same problem as you describe and was able to solve it using the jumper method too. All 3 relays are the same. So, I simply swapped my trim down with the starter. Ever since, I haven't had any more problems.

If I have trim down problems, I know its the relay for sure. But I just did the fix last month and haven't been out to test it fully. The problem being intermitent may very well have to do with a bad relay. Worth a shot?

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-2006 H180 VP3.0 SS 21p

Just wondering if your bypass also bypassed your "deadman" switch....

You didn't mention it, but if you didn't already try it, you might pull the clip off and reseat it. It happened to me before, out on the lake and I started down the path of batteries, battery switch etc. before finally checking that damned clip, which my kid had been playing with and it just wasn't quite seated all the way.....

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2002 Funship 214
VP 5.7 GX Si
2003 Tahoe

Having a 2 1/2 year old that is very curious and that likes to sit in the captain's chair while we are at anchor, the "deadman" switch (or safety lanyard) was the first thing I checked as I have been bit by that before as well.

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2001 Four Winns Horizon 180LE, VP 4.3GL/SX
2006 Ford F-150 Extended Cab 4x4, 5.4L

I am having exactly the same problem! I am not that great at diagnosing electrical problems, but I am fairly certain that it is the solenoid.
I am considering replacing the entire starter. Any input? Is that difficult? It looks as though it is in a tough spot to get to.
I think that this starter would work, the VP part #s match, $60 is preferable to VPs $340
http://www.amazon.com/MERCRUISER-VOLVO- ... B002S45W90
Does anybody have any experience with this starter?

That's a great price for a starter, most aftermarket ones are around $150 or so, even the solenoid by itself is about $30 or so. I had an intermittent no crank (click) issue this year and my starter solenoid was rusted up and so were the connections (a slight drip from the manifold drain, salt water) so I took out the starter, replaced the solenoid, bench tested it (worked fine) and then replaced the assist solenoid just to be on the safe side. I also re-terminated all the wiring going to the solenoid including the battery hot cable. These starters can be hard to access, make sure you turn off the batt switch first as it's easy to have a wrench hit the pos battery post and then ground against the starter body or engine...making a BIG spark.... The bolts are way under the engine, at the back end of the block. If you can get a helper, tie a rope around the body of the starter and have them hold it up while you take out the bolts. That way you don't have to hold it up by hand and try to get the bolts out at the same time....

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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

Just for consideration -- as mentioned check the starter relay -it is in the black box on top of the engine (if your year has that)

I went through a similar inconsistant start problem and had to replace the black box itself -- turned out the volvo mechanic at the dealer said -- yeah, happens a lot from engine vibration, and he thought in the past they even had some sort of recall. The new box was an "upgraded" replacement part.

The new black replay box has different isolation mounts to help vibration --
easy replacement -- my problem fixed --

I later unsealed the sealed black box (read cut it apart) to look where the problem was -- it was a bad wire connection inside the base.

Good luck with your issues.

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DaleG -- West Palm Beach FL
2003 240Horizon -- 5.7Gi -Duoprop

This is great information and much appreciated I am going to take a look at that box since I am having a starter issue also. I charged the batteries and I tried to turn her over and all I hear is a winding sound like if it wants to start but their is no movement in the engine. Thanks hopefully It will be a relay or something. Is the starter a real pain to change any problems that should be noted to help me with my future project.