port engine wont start 98-353 w/502
 

took her out for 1st run of the season. Came back in & docked. Ate lunch/cleaned up. Went to start engine back up and nothing happened. Starter doesn't even click/engage. Any suggestions?

run your shifter through while trying to start it.... may be bad neutral switch.

that's the 1stthing I did. thought the switch might be bad/stuck. Can you check it with a meter? Thanks

How do you test the starter solinoid/relay? No clicking when I turn the key. Alarm sounds like strboard side. Thinking it might be the problem.

Use a test light or meter. there is one wire that goes to ground and another that goes to power (these are the smaller wires I am talking about. The smaller red wire should show power whent he key is turned to start. If you have never had an issue with it and no clicking I doubt that is your problem however. There are two wires at the bottom of your shifter. They are the nutral safty wires. Pull them off and connect them together then try and start. Also make sure that all the wires are attacked at the back of your ignition.

If you are ever in a jamp you can jump across the two large terminals to start the motor. I have done this with a quarter in the past. The quarter can get a litle warm so it is better to use a screwdriver or something like that.

Did you check your safety lanyards? I had one come off last year and didn't notice it rite away because it was wraped with the other one and had not fully come off, but was off far enough to lose contact. Good luck!:drink:

Bad connection on neutral safety switch. thanks guy's!

Good of you to come back on and actually report what the problem was....:coolcowboy:


Far too many times I see people post a problem, get answers and that is the last you hear of it, never knowing what actually happened, THIS is what helps other boaters, cudos...just my 2 cents.....slightly higher then YOUR 2 cents....:eek::kiss:

When they get old the plastic clips that hold the kill switches don't hold them like they should, first I check to make sure it's all the way in neutral then go to the kill switches to check them.
If it's not either of them you'll probably be getting the wrenches out.
Good luck