www.iFourWinns.com

Twice now on our H180 it won’t start on the trailer before getting underway. After turning the key back to the off position and waiting 10-20 seconds and trying again it will start up no problem. Both times this has happened the engine won't turn over no clicking from the starter. Basically, nothing happens when turning the key. My guess is there’s a wiring problem from the ignition to the starter or the starter itself.

I checked the fuses/relay near the engine and everything looks fine.

Any suggestions? Please advise.

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-2006 H180 VP3.0 SS 21p

I would try looking at the switch first. If your starter is going out, you should hear something, unless your main battery cable to the starter is not connecting at all.

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1992 Baja 38 Special Twin 502 Mags

03 Stingray 3.0
88 261 Liberator 460 King Cobras
95 Bayliner 1850 3.0
77 Fiber Form 20ft 350/385hp
70 Wescraft 1800 SS 455 Jet

Lead, Follow, or get the Hell out of the Way!

Check the circuit from the ignition switch to the starter solenoid, first. Certainly does sound like it could be the switch .... but could be the starter solenoid (or other issues) as well.

Checking the circuit to the solenoid will be slightly different if you have a Ford or a Chevy engine (all newer Four Winns have Chevy based Volvo or Merc engines).

If you can find a wiring diagram, test the wire that comes directly off the ignition switch... to the starter solenoid. It should have power when you turn the key to START. Of course, with an intermittent problem, it has to be actively having the problem in order to test it. Soooo ..... it would be best if you test the wire while it's still hooked up. If you have power when the starter is not activating, the problem is NOT the switch.

Let us know what you find.

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Gordon Arnold
New Hampshire

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

I had a similar issue when I had my 86 H190. It turned out to be a corroded contact on the starter solenoid. Best thing to do is to break out the multimeter and start isolating your problem down. Not likely you have a corrosion issue on such a new boat yet. Hopefully you have a schematic and can start working your way through the starter system. From what I have found out, it's not usually what I think it's going to be, sometimes better (cost wise), sometimes worse. I'll be digging into my boat in the next couple of days too...Trying to solve a stall issue when I start up the boat. So far, it could be a bad battery, some odd electrical drain, gummed up carb, bad gas....I'm sure I'll be asking the experts here soon too

Let us know what you find out.

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'99 Horizon 200

Mine (a much older engine) had a similar problem and it was the the starter solenoid.
Good luck on finding the problem.

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Troy
2008 Centurion Avalanche
1994 Four Winns Horizon 180 SE 5.0L OMC Cobra (Sold)
2002 Ford F150 Harley Davidson Edition (http://www.nhtoc.com) 378 hp & 465 tq at rear wheels
2008 Honda Accord EX-L w/Nav

Check the multi pin connectors that connect the dash/ helm wiring to the boat 's main wiring harness are correctly seated; notorious for coming loose and giving intermittent faults.

Graham

Thanks so much for the replies guys. The FW manual has an incredible amount of detail on the wiring schematic. Until now, I thought it wouldn’t be helpful.

Graham’s comment about the harness to the helm power reminds me of something that happened when I wired in an hour meter under the dash last fall. After finishing up and testing the hour meter, I noticed that slight pressure on the fuse block would cause it to loose power. (everything connected to the block would go out) Pushing on the block and wiggling the harness would get the power back on. Think I’ll check that first. However, the helm power is ON when this problem occurs so I’ll probably need to break out the voltmeter starting at the ignition switch and tracing it back from there as others suggest.

Will report back if/when I figure this out. Hopefully, it will help someone else out on this forum. It may be a week or two before I can report back as its my wife’s (yea mine too) 10 year anniversary this weekend and boating on the lake isn’t her idea of a celebration for such an event.

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-2006 H180 VP3.0 SS 21p

That's a bummer ..... we plan a boating trip for our anniversary. Drag the Vista someplace, drop it in and go off to explore.....and that's in October, typically! Anniversary is actually late September, but we have our open-house show at work, the first week of October, so I can't really take time off before that.

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Gordon Arnold
New Hampshire

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

I had basically the same problem with our QX. I believe it was the safety in the throttle because I could just jiggle the throttle a little and it would start, but we traded the boat in before I found out for sure.

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2010 H190 4.3VP
Tow Vehicle:
2007 F150
Previous boats:
2009 H180 3.0VP
1996 Horizon QX 3.0VP

I haven't had a chance to break out the volt meter yet. However, on our last outing this weekend the same thing happened again. Wouldn't start on the ramp. I jiggled the throttle and made sure the kill switch was secured properly. Still no go. Opened the engine hatch up and jiggled the small black box that has the fuses and relays. Started right up like normal. Over the weekend it didn't happen again after maybe 8-10 start ups.

So, I suppose I need to check this area out with the volt meter in the driveway....any other tips would be much appreciated!

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-2006 H180 VP3.0 SS 21p