Port Engine not turning over

[ayrton2727]

I have a 1999 Sea Doo Challenger 1800. Twin 787 engines.

I am trying to winterize it and had the starboard engine running no problem. Went to start the port engine and it turned over for about 8 seconds, I then stopped so not to overheat the starter. I waited and then went to try and start the port engine again and it would try to turn over but then stop and try again and stop. It was just like I was pressing the start button and taking my finger off the button after about 1 second. It was not a clicking noise but more like the starter did not have enough power to turn over the cylinder. The battery is fine and I tried the other motor again and it started no problem. I took out the spark plugs and the port engine turns over no problem. There is no excess oil in the cylinder as I had that problem again. That is what it sounds like is when you have excess oil in the cylinder. But it does not. I am sure as I have been through that before.

Hopefully someone has an idea.

Thanks

 

[Coastiejoe]

What happens if you jump the solenoid?

It sounds like a weak battery as everything is functioning as it should, just "weakly"..

 

[ayrton2727]

How do I jump the solenoid?

 

[ayrton2727]

I charged the battery. The other motor turns over fine.

 

[Coastiejoe]

Take a wrench or screwdriver and jump the lugs on the solenoid. It will spark, so don't let that scare you.

 

[Lumps]

What happens if you jump the solenoid?

It sounds like a weak battery as everything is functioning as it should, just "weakly"..

This happened to me as my battery got too old. One engine was fine after a full charge. The other would just sit there when I was trying to start it. I would be able to get it to start after the good engine ran for a bit. I got a new battery and it never happened again

 

[ORION '95 Speedster]

Sounds like the starter is not turning the engine over with enough torque. Could be that the battery is a problem, a loose connection, or maybe a problem with the starter brushes. Process of elimination. Swapping starters is a good "start" (no pun intended).

 

[racerxxx]

I had the same as lumps.

 

[Lumps]

... Could be that the battery is a problem, a loose connection, ...

The guy who had my new boat before me had some sort of problem with the boat not working intermittently. he took it to the dealer and they cleaned and tightened the battery connectors down really tightly and it has been fine ever since. easy to check. cheap to fix if that's your problem.

 

[ayrton2727]

The guy who had my new boat before me had some sort of problem with the boat not working intermittently. he took it to the dealer and they cleaned and tightened the battery connectors down really tightly and it has been fine ever since. easy to check. cheap to fix if that's your problem.

Thanks for all your help. I will pick up another battery and try that. If I take the spark plugs out it turns over fine.

 

[ORION '95 Speedster]

If it turns ok with the spark plugs out, its either a bad battery, bad starter, or bad electrical connection between the starter and the battery.

 

[ayrton2727]

If it turns ok with the spark plugs out, its either a bad battery, bad starter, or bad electrical connection between the starter and the battery.

Ok thanks. I will check these things.

Much appreciated

 

[ayrton2727]

Update. I trickled charged the battery over night and the engine turned over fine today.

Thanks everyone for all input. We have grest people on this site