1998 Sport Nautique not starting after winter storage

[JimHughes]

Question for WakeSlayer:
"When your lanyard works properly, you will hear the fuel pumps prime. If you don't hear the buzzing before you turn your key, that is a pretty good indicator. " Need clarification: I always leave my lanyard connected. So I think you are saying I should hear buzzing from the fuel pump after I put in my key and turn it to the ON position...before turning it to starting the engine. Correct?

[RIPnSIX]

I had the same thing on my '98...

Cost me 115 bucks at the dealer for him to tell me that the battery cables need to be very tight.. If they are loose, the starter will draw all the power, and It can't carry enough then to run the fuel injectors and such.. Make sure the battery is charged as well.

Also.. Make sure it's in Neutral. I had a buddy that chased a starting issue all day to find out it was in gear..

Best of luck.

[JimHughes]

I appreciate these additional tips. I spent months last year tracking down a starting issue and it was a corroded fuse that leads off the positive terminal of the battery. I'd better check the fuse and the tightness of the battery cables.

Thanks!

[WakeSlayer]

Question for WakeSlayer:
"When your lanyard works properly, you will hear the fuel pumps prime. If you don't hear the buzzing before you turn your key, that is a pretty good indicator. " Need clarification: I always leave my lanyard connected. So I think you are saying I should hear buzzing from the fuel pump after I put in my key and turn it to the ON position...before turning it to starting the engine. Correct?

Sorry, you will hear the buzzing when you turn your key to ON, prior to turning it to start. I worded that very poorly. You are correct

[JimHughes]

HELP!!! Still not starting. I have done the following:
1. Checked lanyard and wires behind lanyard. all seems good.
2. Checked battery cables. They are tight.
3. Checked fuse on a separate wire coming off of battery and it is good. I think this goes to the fuel injector.
4. THE MAIN PROBLEM I SEE IS NO SPARK coming from the coil using the Ignition Spark tester I bought.
5. A friend told me to check the ignition module to see if it was getting power. See circled area in the attached photo: ignition module. With the key on, I found it was getting power. Could the ignition module be bad? If so, are these readily avaialable at a NAPA store or do I need to special order?

HELP, guys!! What would be next steps? Am I going to have to cancel my Monday wakeboard trip? Can you help me save it?

Thanks!

[DanielC]

No spark, no start.
Go to the down loads section of this site. there is a Gt-40 service manual there. Down load it. It does have a good trouble shooting section in it.

[NautiqueJeff]

Here's the link:

GT-40 Service Manual

[JimHughes]

Thanks, Jeff. I did go through the GT-40 service manual. Since I'm not getting spark, I suspect it could be the TFI-IV ignition module. Unfortunately I don't have the diagnostic equipment to test it and since it would have to be a marine part, I suspect I can't get one locally.

Are there other things that could cause the engine not to get spark? The coil could be the problem also.

Any way I can test these components? It was pretty damp when I took the PCM cover off the coil area. Could the dampness cause trouble? I left the engine open today to dry everything out.

We've planned to go to the lake on Monday. Can anyone save the day??!!

Thanks for your help!

[JimHughes]

Problem solved. Boat starting great!

I'm embarrassed to tell you what the problem was, especially since some of your recommendations included the answer. Maybe my stupidity can help someone else avoid this mistake.

When I put the batteries back in the boat, I put the battery cables on the battery terminals but forgot to tighten them. I spent soooooo much time looking at much more complex issues and it turned out to be a simple fix. LOL!!!!

Thanks for your help.

[WakeSlayer]

Good to hear. A little humility is way better than a bunch of money.

[RIPnSIX]

Glad you got it figured out..

I did the same thing..