www.iFourWinns.com

I was going to have a great weekend , but after a successful launch, found the motor will not crank and the engine hood power rams will not work. Everything else works and the batteries are fully charged.

_________________

Brian
2006 Horizon 220
350mpi Mercruiser
Jeep Grand Cherokee V8

Does your trim work? I had a similar issue that would come and go. I eventually tracked it down to a corroded battery cable. I could run things that required little current, but big motors like the starter and trim wouldn't work. Cleaned the connections at the battery and everything worked fine. Hopefully your problem will be equally as easy to resolve.

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

Agreed with above... plus, clean your terminals. You'd be suprised how very little corrosion can dramitically drop current. You woul deven show 12V on the helm.

_________________
Walt B
"Debt-Charged"
Black '07 H210SS
6.2L Bravo One turning a 21P HIFive
Wakeboard Tower with Perfect Pass Stargazer version
Missouri River; Kansas City, Mo.

Thanks for suggestions guys. Yes the power tilt/trim still works but not starter motor or engine hood rams. The tilt is not controlled via the battery switch, so the biggest electrical loads going through the swith are the things not working. I will clean terminals tonight and check.

_________________

Brian
2006 Horizon 220
350mpi Mercruiser
Jeep Grand Cherokee V8

The power to the ignition key, hence to the starter solenoid is via the main connector to the helm; a 2 terminal push together connector block with thick red and black wires usually under the dash somewhere. The engine lift ram (switch) gets it's power from the same source, as do the instruments and other things controlled by the fusebox and switches on the dash On my boat, this connection was intermittent which caused all sorts of problems. If it's some corrosion at the battery terminals that's just causing a voltage drop, I'd have thought you'd at least be able to hear a click as the starter solenoid engaged. It sounds like there is no power to the starter solenoid or lift rams at all. ( usually, the tilt/ trim is isolated when the battery switch is off; but does not get it's power via the same 2 wire connector to the dash) Also, it's worth checking the engine ground connections at the engine ; on mine, there are 2 ground studs in the starter area.

Graham

It works again!
With much embarrassment, I must admit at was a battery terminal. I can't believe what appeared such little corrosion caused the problem....or how difficult it was to get at the extreme rear terminal. Anyway, thanks all for the advice.
Has anyone relocated these batteries further forward for ease of maintenance?

_________________

Brian
2006 Horizon 220
350mpi Mercruiser
Jeep Grand Cherokee V8

Glad to hear it was something simple. Some corrosion on a battery terminal was the cause of the Admirals Grand Prix saying it had low voltage on start up occasionally. Amazing what a little bit can cause!

_________________
2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225