www.iFourWinns.com

New to the Site, and a new FW owner. Bought H190 4.3 GL last summer with no problems in the first season. Pulled the boat out of storage following a Dealer winterization to find a problem that continues to plague me. Battery was charged and stored inside. First start in the driveway to make sure all was well prior to heading out on the water, and wouldn't start. All the accessories all power up fine, but when I turn the key to IGN I got no click or anything. Fuel pump charged ok so I figured that it was a bad solenoid. Found a bad 20 amp Ignition fuse on top of the engine was blown, so replaced and started fine. Have had the boat out several times since then, and the problem returned while out on the water again. Checked the same fuse as before, but it is fine. Gonna do some more checking around today to see if the problem is obvious, but any ideas would be appreciated. Reading through some of the threads, looks like this might be a common problem.

Have you double checked the connection right at the battery? I would check those then follow the battery leads and double check that all of those connections are tight.

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2009 H180 w/3.0 Merc
Homebuilt Minimax Hydro
2011 Zodiac Cadet 310

I have not looked at the battery on a recent FW...are they using wingnuts on the smaller terminals to retain the cables...if so use locking stainless steel nuts instead the wingnuts can easily loosen...
I put automotive style clamps on mine when I put in the dual battery system some years back and I have not had any cranking problems or dead battery problems since doing that...

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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

I've heard of similar symptoms from someone who didn't have both positive wires connected to the battery. I'd think the big positive lead from the starter would be hard to miss. Worth a peek anyway. Other things to check are if the lanyard is in place, and possibly the ignition switch fuse by the ignition key.

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2007 Horizon 200
4.3L GXi/ SX 225 HP

PROBLEM SOLVED...after trying all the battery connections and inline safety switches (dead man and neutral safety) with no apparent solution. Checked out the starter relay and also a 20 amp starter fuse, I finally broke down and pulled the starter and had a local starter shop test it...BAD STARTER Solenoid. A token fee of $56 later, starts right up! Had once again a trouble free weekend on the water as it should be.

Thanks for all the input!

A follow up to a starter problem that I have had. 2011 season underway, well almost. Pulled the boat out of winterization, this time stored at home under shrinkwrap. Kept the boat nice and dry despite a record snowfall and very rainy spring. Again, found moisture and coorosion inside the starter and solonoid. Must have been from condensation. Only gave one start, before I heard the "CLICK" of death. I did find that after the rebuild, the solonoid was not well sealed. Anyway...Fun with BOAT.

You should put something to soak up the moisture in your boat when you put it away for the winter. I think the stuff I use is calcium chloride, basically a bit more expensive driveway melt. I put about 2-3" in cutoff milk jugs, total of ~4 jugs in my H200 for the winter. Does a great job of soaking up the moisture from the tempature swings. Glad you found the problem fast this year and are out boating. Have fun!

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'99 Horizon 200

You should also visit us more often...

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