1998 GT-40 electrical/starting problems

[jpbitt]

I have always had problems starting the GT-40 in my '98 air nautique. First turn of the key usually yields nothing however the accessories have power. Second turn of the key, it cranks very slow and on about the third turnover, it fires up and then runs great. This past weekend was no different however I shut it off and then went to restart and got nothing. This time no power to anything, not even the accessories. The battery is new and charged. Fuse in the battery line is fine. Terminals are clean. Kill switch lanyard is connected. Throttle in neutral. Can anyone help with my current problem of no power to anything? Once I can figure out how to restore power, can anyone help with the slow cranking problem. I haven't replaced the starter relay yet and it seems from other threads that is likely a problem. Apparently there is a 50 amp breaker that can be reset. Can someone point to where to find the reset? Thanks very much for any help, it's much appreciated.

[Hollywood]

RE: 1998 GT-40 electrical/starting problems

Definitely sounds like an electrical resistance issue.

[Rick]

RE: 1998 GT-40 electrical/starting problems

Is the ground strap corroded at the engine? I would check the connections at the solenoid and also at the engine computer. I would agree with Hollywood Somewhere you are losing voltage to your starter and engine. Try jumpering the battery to the solenoid and engine ground bypassing the cables in the boat. See what that does. If that solves the problem then jumper one or the other wires to see whuch one is faulty.

[M3Fan]

RE: 1998 GT-40 electrical/starting problems

Don't forget the KISS method... this won't help the slow starting but for everything else, how about bypassing the key switch itself?

[jpbitt]

RE: 1998 GT-40 electrical/starting problems

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I jumped the battery to the starter relay bypassing the cables in the boat and I have power back. I was able to determine that the positive cable is faulty so I will be replacing that tommorrow. I'm not certain yet if this will fix the slow cranking problem but I at least have power back to the starter so I can start to work on that problem next. Thanks again, it's much appreciated.

[jpbitt]

RE: 1998 GT-40 electrical/starting problems

Today's update...When I pulled the positive battery cable from the boat I was amazed to find that it was actually three pieces of cable, each about 4 feet in length, connected with a bolt through lugs at the ends of the cable and then covered with electrical tape. Both connection points sat in the bilge so they were frequently wet. Needless to say the connections were rusted and rotted and practically disintegrated. What is strange to me is that I bought the boat about a year ago with only 160 hours on it so I'm assuming that the cable came this way from the factory. Anybody else ever seen this done by the factory this way otherwise I'll assume someone must have replaced the original cable for some reason and did a real poor job. New cable went in today and it starts better than ever.

[M3Fan]

RE: 1998 GT-40 electrical/starting problems

Wow, that's about the last variable you'd think of when troubleshooting. You won't find that one in the GT40 diagnostic manual. I'm guessing the prev. owner bought the pre-cut battery cables and spliced them rather than getting a custom-length cable. That also seems like an outrageous fire hazard as well, since bilge gases settle down low in the bilge.

[Beelabor]

Electrical starting problems

Did you ever determine the probem with your electrical starting problem? I'm having the same problem?