Not starting-redux

Quick update, I started from the beginning and secured everything from the battery on back. Charged the battery overnight with a new charger just in case it wasn't fully up. Brand new starter installed after it failed the bench test miserably. took off both ground wires and scrubbed them for a better connection.

something worked. don't know what but the whole thing fired up and ran like a champ for about twenty minutes on the lake. Then it died, with no restart whatsoever.

Turns over really well but no catch at all. Had to be towed back. Will be starting a new thread to share the next big repair project!

Update>>> The shop i took the starter to had a marine starter in stock for $100. Couldn't pass it up and has to be better than the old one full of rust. Installed it, checked all the connections and.... Nothing.

I get a faint "beep" to the right from under my dash and that's it. Nav lights come on, blower works, but horn only clicks.

Any thoughts on where to go from here? I was convinced the starter was shorting something out, but now I'm at more of a loss than before!

I'd go with a Marine Starter from Skidim or Nautiqueparts. Should be easy to find since yours would take the same starter as an Excal, since it's small block Chevy based.

There seems to be a few variations depending on top or bottom mount. I believe this is what you need, but you might want to confirm with a phone call before ordering:
http://www.skidim.com/STARTER-GM-LH-305_350_454_60L-Top-Mount/productinfo/RA122009/

gravyleg pirate wrote: The battery was from our local battery shop and is a deep cycle. where would I find a starter battery? That type doesn't ring a bell to me.

The deep will work for now starting the engine but don't expect it to last long. They are made for long low amp loads like a trolling motor or accessories which is the exact opposite of cranking an engine. There's nothing "marine" needed for a starting battery. All that is needed is an automotive battery rated for starting. Evidently the guy at the battery shop needs his "bell rung"!!

OK, I jiggled the throttle and it appears to be in neutral, the lanyard is attached and when I remove it the button drops quite a ways so it feels ok.

All the breakers look and feel unpopped under the dash. I'll try reprogramming the keypad when I get home to see if that helps. I like the idea of using just one side. Right now I'm only using 2's and 3's.

Thanks for all the replies, this is half the fun of boat ownership right?

You stated you purchased a new battery. What type of battery did you buy? Was it a Starter Battery, Dual Purpose Battery or Deep Cycle Marine Battery.   Starter Battery is the correct answer.

Is your throttle in neutral? I giggle my throttle before I start my 2002. Is your emergency lanyard in its proper place? If not it will not allow you to start.

If the keypad is bad, you can reprogram to take the combination out of the system. Some have reprogramed their pass key with just using the numbers on one side of the pad.

I hope this helps,

Donald

I do hope it is not the key pad, Nautique parts was out of the key pad a couple weeks ago and did not have a date when they would be available. Hope they are in stock now.

I believe that mdvalent (mike) went through a keypad issue with his 2000 sport, and the solution was to buy a new key pad.   I know your probably some troubleshooting distance from that happening, but you should probably keep it in mind, the keypads are not bulletproof, they do go bad. I was unable to find the thread, but suspect it was ~5 years or so ago

OK, did that. Took my dremel tool to the connections at the battery and looked at the main ground to the engine block. All looks good, no corrosion. How do I check the main breaker box under the steering wheel? Any chance that is getting shorted out somehow?

Hey all, I'm a frequent lurker and haven't had much cause to post, but now I have something way over my head.

I have a 2000 Air Nautique with a brand new battery. The other day I went to fire it up and I get one click, then the power shuts off completly. Have to re-enter my code on the keypad and try again with no luck. I seem to have power to the solenoid atop the starter, but after that I'm lost where to go next. Electrical systems are like spanish to me. I understand a little but not much.

I've read a boatload of posts on this similar thing but couldn't track down the one that matches exactly. It seems it could be a variety of issues, any thoughts on where to go from here?