Yamaha 150 outboard wont start

[TheMysticRuler]

I have a Yamaha 150 (1988 I believe). It was running until I put it away without turning the ignition completely off. Even after changing the battery I get nothing when I try to start it. Any ideas on what I damage could have been done by leaving the ignition on, and how I might test for the problem so I can get the parts to fix it. Thanks

[TownsendsFJR1300]

I have a Yamaha 150 (1988 I believe). It was running until I put it away without turning the ignition completely off. Even after changing the battery I get nothing when I try to start it. Any ideas on what I damage could have been done by leaving the ignition on, and how I might test for the problem so I can get the parts to fix it. Thanks

I would make sure the battery is fully charged and get it LOAD TESTED at any automotive center(they check it for free). Peek inside the covers and make sure there's enough acid/water in it and the plates are NOT showing. Its possible you got a bad battery, start checking the simplist stuff first.

There's should be a main fuses on the engine, I'd check that too.

[TheMysticRuler]

I would make sure the battery is fully charged and get it LOAD TESTED at any automotive center(they check it for free). Peek inside the covers and make sure there's enough acid/water in it and the plates are NOT showing. Its possible you got a bad battery, start checking the simplist stuff first.

There's should be a main fuses on the engine, I'd check that too.

I should have mentioned that I've already tried another new battery, and still absolutely nothing when I turn the key.

I'll have to check that main fuse. Any idea where its located (I know a little about cars, but almost nothing about boats).

Sure do appreciate the help.

[99yam40]

you did not say where you are or how long it sat, but might look for rat or squirrel chewed up wiring. The seem to love to do that

[TownsendsFJR1300]

I should have mentioned that I've already tried another new battery, and still absolutely nothing when I turn the key.

I'll have to check that main fuse. Any idea where its located (I know a little about cars, but almost nothing about boats).

Sure do appreciate the help.

I just looked up a parts fisch for a 150 model for that year (there's like 5) :

http://www.boats.net/parts/search/Ya...202/parts.html the fuse appears to be at the front/forward part of the engine, (20amp), part #31.

it appears to be an inline fuse (you'll see the line gets wider and splts in the middle). For that connector, gently twist and pull it apart to find the fuse inside. For re-assembly, a little dilectric grease on the rubber and ends of the fuse make assembly easier and stops corrosion.

You may want to check all the battery connections from the battery to the engine. Don't just look at them but remove the cable, clean, maybe some dilectric grease (to prevent corrosion) and reinstall the cables. I'd also check the main harness from the engine that plugs into the harness that runs thru the hull. Again, look for any green corrosion and address it accordingly.

With absolutly no power its likely something simple and not too hard to find.

If you have a test light, check and follow power from the battery to where ever it stops. Make sure you also have a nice clean ground to the engine or it'll do nothing..

Another poster just recently found a corrosion issue with his Perko battery switch which corroded badly and was causing electrical issues..

Please post what you find/come up with.

[TheMysticRuler]

you did not say where you are or how long it sat, but might look for rat or squirrel chewed up wiring. The seem to love to do that

It sat inside a garage (the boat is only 17'long) for a while like that...maybe a month or so. I was changing some fluids and a fuel filter, and decided to run it for a while. Unfortunately when I put it away I left the ignition on (or at least as on as the ignition can be without the motor running.

Sometime later, when I finally noticed that the ignition wasn't in the off position, I tried to start it but nothing happened. Hooked up cables from my truck...nothing. New battery, nothing. I thought maybe I did some kind of electrical damage...don't know why, because I know next to nothing about outboard motors, but I figured the ignition was an electrical component, so most likely I fried something from having the ignition in the wrong position for all that time (coils maybe?...does it even have coils...lol). Anyway, I've finally got a little free time, and was hoping to try to solve this mystery.

I'll start with what TFJR1300 has recommended...seems like a wise **** plan.

[TheMysticRuler]

I just looked up a parts fisch for a 150 model for that year (there's like 5) :

1988 150ETLG Yamaha Outboard ELECTRIC PARTS 2 Diagram and Parts the fuse appears to be at the front/forward part of the engine, (20amp), part #31.

it appears to be an inline fuse (you'll see the line gets wider and splts in the middle). For that connector, gently twist and pull it apart to find the fuse inside. For re-assembly, a little dilectric grease on the rubber and ends of the fuse make assembly easier and stops corrosion.

You may want to check all the battery connections from the battery to the engine. Don't just look at them but remove the cable, clean, maybe some dilectric grease (to prevent corrosion) and reinstall the cables. I'd also check the main harness from the engine that plugs into the harness that runs thru the hull. Again, look for any green corrosion and address it accordingly.

With absolutly no power its likely something simple and not too hard to find.

If you have a test light, check and follow power from the battery to where ever it stops. Make sure you also have a nice clean ground to the engine or it'll do nothing..

Another poster just recently found a corrosion issue with his Perko battery switch which corroded badly and was causing electrical issues..

Please post what you find/come up with.

Thanks man! I'll do my best to do these things for sure. much appreciated.

[TownsendsFJR1300]

If you click on that link, it'll bring you to the parts fisch with numerous choices.

IE, the starter is on the left side(port), the 6 coils bolt to the rear of the engine, etc.

BTW, do you have any gauges that would light up, sweep, etc and if so are they dead also?


Just for S&G's, if none of that pans out, try switching the ignition key back and forth numerous times. It could have some built up corrosion on the contacts, thus no connection with the key turned on(dead).

Jumping the starter direct from a good battery (has to be grounded too to the block from where the heavy main wire attaches) should spin the engine over. That would eliminate and possibility of a seized engine. I would turn the key to the ON position, WITH RABBIT EARS AND WATER turned on should it start..

Electrics aren't my strongest point, but I have to doubt leaving the key on would fry any thing. The older engines don't have near the sensative parts the newer models do..

[99yam40]

If there is no clicking or anything happening when turning to start, you need to make sure the shifter is in neutral as the switch in the con*****er will keep starter from engaging.

A voltmeter will help troubleshoot where you have and where you do not have the proper voltage

[jb123]

Unhook main 10 pin @ motor
@ starter relay find brown wire
Unhook it and touch it to +12 on starter relay
See if you get her to fire

[99yam40]

just make sure you have a plan to shut it down if it does start because the key and kill switch will not be in the circuit with harness disconnected.
Also have water on it when you try, you will be amassed how long it will run before running out of gas if you pull the fuel line off

[jb123]

simply replug 10 pin main

[99yam40]

just saying have a plan in case it does fire up