www.iFourWinns.com

Cheers all..thanks again for all tips and suggestions...have save quite a bit of $...Alas have another problem that I need some suggestions.....since I have own my boat 2003 328 Vista (3rd year) I have always had trouble with starboard engine......I have this happen 3 times a year and it happened again last weekend.....I will start both engines...go for ride and stop to do water activities...I try to start engines, port starts fine starboard wont...I try giggling controls to no avail....funny thing is if I leave it alone for a day it will fire right up......only happens rarely but of course at the most inconvenient time...have to motor back to dock on one engine and as luck would have it without power steering (motor for steering with power on starboard engine).....had Mechanic come look when it first happened in year 1 of owernship and he changed a sensor(???) on motor but problem still exists.....hope someone can help with this....

Will the engine turn over?

We need details on what it does when you try to start it. Try tapping on the starter, maybe it is hanging up and after sitting the spring finals pulls it back out. More details and we will figure it out.

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2001 Four Winns Vista 248 by rick2752, on Flickr

Thanks for responses....before I fully turn the key a beep occurs and then I turn the key fully there is absolutely nothing no clicking or any rotation of engine just dead silence....I know its not the battery cause its new from last season.....any ideas

Sounds like she might be hung up in gear. Have you tried playing with the gear shift when cranking her?

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Current Boat: 2000 Four Winns 298 Vista
Previous Boat: 2000 Carver 406MY

Take a voltmeter and see if you have voltage at the starter. Things that come to mind are starter, neutral switch, does it have seperate safety switches? Mine had similar symptom and starter was hung up engaged. Tap it gently with a hammer when the symptom occurs. There is a spring that pulls the gear back in that might be getting weak. I bought a starter for 54 dollars, quick easy fix. Start at starter checking voltage and work backwards to ignition.

Rick

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2001 Four Winns Vista 248 by rick2752, on Flickr

You need to start at square one and forgive me on that. You stated "....I know its not the battery cause its new from last season" But the battery still could not have enough power to turn the engine over.

All of the above post are great but, if it was me. I would meter the battery and anything less than 12.8v. Welllll I would put a charge on the battery and re-check.

had the same type problem last year. take the wires off at the starter and clean them off with a wire brush.

Keep in mind that corrosion wreaks havoc with marine electrical systems, damp climate wet bilge condensation over everything unless you live in the desert.
Also the starter solenoid, is often right under the water drain for the exhaust manifold and those connections are very often rusted.
When I install a new starter or just a new solenoid, I put on the wires and coat the terminals, studs etc with a thick coat of OMC triple guard grease. They will not rust then. The starter is ignition proof but not water proof LOL....

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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

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions.....turns out it is the sensor in controls that was the problem......great site and am really appreciate all the help.....
Cheers