Boat won't start

[Rob]

Went to fire up the boat in the driveway before taking it out a couple weeks back, and it won't turn over.
-Battery is fully charged (tried two different ones)
-Cable is nice and clean, and well terminated on both ends

When I try to crank it, the motor makes a click.  Additionally the power trim won’t raise or lower the motor.  Just a little bit of electrical whining when I try to move it.

I am NOT mechanically inclined.  I plan to take it to a shop to have it looked at, but I fugure it is probably something simple that burned out in the motor.

My question to the fine folks of Hunt-Wa are:
1.    Any ideas to the cause?  (again, assume a good battery and cable connections are fine)
2.   Any reputable mechanics suggestions in the Lynnwood/Everett area that work on Mercury motors?  It is a 60 HP.

[92xj]

Battery.
The two must not have a complete charge to them.
Hook it up to your running vehicle with jumper cables. 
The click sound and no electric trimming screams no power.
If you complete/full power to everything including the power trim I would then tap the starter with a hammer and then try the key.  But start with jumper cables from a running vehicle to the battery.   

[lostbackpacker]

what year motor?  2 stroke or 4 stroke.  I can help ya but need more information first

[Bookworm007]

Your not getting full electrical power somewhere. I would double check grounds, starter solenoid and might just replace the battery cables since they are cheap and the most likely culprit.

[gaddy]

had the battery load tested??

[Rob]

I have not had the battery tested (I don't have the equipment to do this - remember, not my specialty.  if you need an excel model built, or a project planned, I'm your guy.  If you need mechanical work done, go to anyone but me!)

I do have two relatively new, well cared for batteries that I fully charged and tested without any luck.  It is possible I have two bad batteries, but they are both under 2 years old, stored inside, and well cared for.  Trying it with the truck battery is not a bad idea…

I removed and stripped open the battery cable on the battery end of the starter cable and checked the wiring.  Bright silver wires, no corrosion at all.  Ire- terminated the cable and cleaned up the posts (although they were pretty clean to start with).  I removed the housing and checked where the cable terminates to the engine and it also was tight, clean, with no corrosion.

What I am thinking is, something between where the battery terminates to the engine, and where the power is distributed, there must be some kind of power unit that has failed.

Is this what the solenoid does?

(this is a 2 stroke 60 HP Merc, that I am guessing is a mid 1990’s model.)

[92xj]

Youve started in the right direction by checking the wires.  Since they have no corrosion, I'm still leaving on your batteries are not charged enough.  Simpply on the fact that you hear a click when turning the key AND you have no power to trim up or down and I am going to assume, no other power to anything on the boat?
Try jumper cables.  That will either eliminate the bad batteries or tell you it's an easy fix by replacing the batteries.
Also, did you follow the power wire/cables from the batteries to where they go, checking for cuts, cracks, etc....

[wildmanoutdoors]

If you fully charge your battery and take it to Schwab they will load test for free. Deep cycles should be replaced every 2 years.

[magnanimous_j]

What I am thinking is, something between where the battery terminates to the engine, and where the power is distributed, there must be some kind of power unit that has failed.

If you are getting weak electrical performance from other systems like your motor lift, the culprit is most likely the battery. I just had the exact same problem with my motorcycle a few weeks ago after sitting unused in the garage for months. Batteries don't like to sit.

Try these guys. best prices, and free shipping from Oregon. I got mine in a couple days. Couldn't be happier with the experience.

http://www.batterystuff.com/

[Rob]

hypothetically, if the batteries were 100%, and the cables were totally fine,

What would be the next thing that folks would look at?

I'll research the battery and cable situation a bit more, but wondering what other ideas might be next to check.

[Rob]

I should also note, this boat has not sat all winter - I get her out every 4-6 weeks.  And she sits in a garage between soaks.

[Russ McDonald]

Everything you describe is a battery.  With trim not working which is a seperate system from the the starting so the only thing that is common with both is the battery and cables.

[92xj]

hypothetically, if the batteries were 100%, and the cables were totally fine,

What would be the next thing that folks would look at?

I'll research the battery and cable situation a bit more, but wondering what other ideas might be next to check.

Hypothetically the only other thing that would make sense would be a cut power wire to your trim button and to your starter (but not even starter since that is most likely making the "click" noise).  Those two things, completely different things that run off of power, going out at the same time is one in a million I would think.  Unless, your motor is locked up and the trim tube is seized up with rust and junk, but those happening at the same time, one in a million as well, I would think...

Trace wires, looking for breaks, corrosion, and all your grounds.  Thats where I would start is my batteries were 100% good.

[gaddy]

starter solenoid & connections, ignition switch?? power runs through something to get somewere. all it takes is a bad connection or ground. had problems on my fuse block that gave me fits once. a little corrosion killed a mess of functions.

[Buckmark]

Ground connection.....
Got a volt meter? They are not expensive and would be a huge help..