V-Max 150 cranking slow on start

Hi all,
I'm new to this forum, I want to thank all of you that make it available.
I'm in Fort Myers FL, fish a 2002 Maverick 18.5 MA with a 2002 Yamaha 150 V-Max carb model.
I am new to this outboard, having it only a couple of months. I have had it checked out by my local dealer who says "all perfect, enjoy it"
The motor has 600 hrs on it. Runs perfect.
The problem if it is one is this;
When I crank it to start it sounds and feels like it is slow to turn over then it cranks good and starts. It just seems like it should be spinning it faster.
I thought it might be the battery, but a test of the battery at a battery shop says the battery is better than perfect.
The volt meter shows it charging, and it always starts.
I guess my question is, do you think the starter could be wearing out, or something else that I'm not aware of?
Any help would be great, thanks to all.

[robert graham]

check all battery cables/connections for corrosion/tightness/etc., then if that is all good maybe try a different, stronger battery just to be certain your present battery doesn't have a weak cell. Good Luck!

I have checked all of my connections, the boat was rewired 6 months ago so all looked good, clean, and tight.
I am going to follow your advice and try a different battery. The battery on it now is pretty new, and I had "Batteries Plus" test it, but you never know.
Thanks

[jb123]

feel cable ends @ batt after cranking, if warm cut it back a few inches and redo connection.

[robert graham]

It'll probably be the battery. I've had Advance Auto, Autozone, Etc. check batteries many times and they said were "good", but replaced battery anyway and solved the problem, in fact I replaced my battery this summer and Autozone said it was fine. Before you go further with this maybe put your battery on a 2 Amp charger for 24 hours and see if it turns motor over with more authority. Good Luck!

Still Trouble, more info


I have changed batteries, it is not the battery, I have checked all connections, everything looks perfect, tightened all, I don't think its a connection.
I do notice now if I trim the motor after setting awhile I get a "click, click" like a bad solinoid, then it trims fine, same with starting, get the click first, turn the key again and then it cranks, and will then crank fine for the day.
Any other ideas?

[rkmartin]

I have checked all of my connections, the boat was rewired 6 months ago so all looked good, clean, and tight.
I am going to follow your advice and try a different battery. The battery on it now is pretty new, and I had "Batteries Plus" test it, but you never know.
Thanks

Why was the boat rewired?

Verify that the battery has correct cold start amps. If you have second battery connect in parallel to up the amps. (Not series) You may just be under powered.

[robert graham]

Check the main ground wire on motor. Remove/clean/reinstall. You may have to look for that one! Good Luck!

Why was the boat rewired?

Not sure, I know a battery switch was installed, all new pumps installed,
along with a new panel, and new lighting.
It looks like a first class job. Shallow Water Customs in Lauderdale did it.

Check the main ground wire on motor. Remove/clean/reinstall. You may have to look for that one! Good Luck!

Will do,
I am also going to check connections on the Perko Battery switch, those connection I forgot to check.
Thanks Robert

[bigfish1229]

well i may be a little late however i am a certified yamaha mechanic and i am in fort myers if you would like someone to take a look i would gladly do it. email me at bigfish1229@gmail.com

Slow cranking problem solved

My problem ended up being 2 splices that were installed between the battery and the terminal block on the motor. Someone had used the original Yamaha Battery feed cable and spliced new cables onto it. They used adhesive heatshrink on the connections and I never checked them.
All connections that I had checked were soldered on all new wiring so I had no reason to suspect the splices.
I had routed all of my cables and wires to the motor through a new motor well boot and hose assy to clean up a tie wrapped cut open hose mess when I thought I'd better check those splices.
I cut open the thick shrink and low and behold the splice pulled apart with hardly any force at all. The crimps were faulty and they were not soldered.
I installed new connectors and crimped them with the correct crimper and now when I turn the key it spins better than it ever has since I bought the boat.