I have a 1991 Force 150 hp that I am having a little trouble with. When the engine sits up for more then a couple days it just doesnt want to start. It runs good, just some problems starting.

I cant ever get a battery to last more than about 1 minute of cranking (off and on), and usually they go dead after about 15 seconds. It sounds like the battery is dead, but I have tried all different batteries (ones I know are good from my other boat) and the same thing happens.

Also the positive power wire gets really hot right next to the battery terminal. And if the power wire stays connected to the battery while sitting up for a couple days it really drains the battery. I have checked to make sure the power switch is off. Im thinking it has a short in the system somewhere, but have not found one yet.

Sorry for the long post, just trying to be detailed.

Thanks for the help,

Mitchell

The positive cable getting hot at the point near the battery indicates a bad connection in that area, you could also have a starter problem. Try disconnecting the battery cable with everything off and touch it back to the battery and see if you see a spark or better yet connect a meter or a test light between the cable and the battery and see if there is a drain. Only thing I can think of off hand would be the rectifier if it has a bad diode. b

if u are using those red and black top post terminals, that is probably be the problem, just speaking from exp.

That 5 cylinder engine does not pull power, unlike some of the older models, 24/7 to keep the ignition energized. So draining a battery within such a short amount of cranking time, tells me one of two things. Battery connections are not clean and tight, or starter is pulling too many amps. I would do a load test at the starter solenoid to check the condition of the batter cables. If a cable is bad, amperage testing will show the problem. Notice I said amerage testing, cause you can have voltage and not amperage. It takes amperage to get the starter to turn with power.

when was the last time the starter brushes were replaced?
bad brushes/armature might do it too

as much as hes jacked with tbatteries and cable, I would guess he probably got them right somewhere in the process, so I call bad starter.,

The starter is new, the last one was burned out.

I think I might have left this out of the previous post, but once it gets started and ran for about 5 seconds (and then shut off) it turns over super easy. Its just getting it started that first time is a PITA!

Im going to go play around with it using some of the suggestions, if I cant get it going ill be back on here haha.

Thanks for the help everyone,

Mitchell

One thing I know about DC circuits is they always heat up where there is a problem. I'd clean the battery terminal and definately replace the positive cable. Something is not right at that junction or you wouldn't be getting the extreme heat....Saying that is the cable just warm or is it to hot to touch? They will get warm after flowing electricity for a little while because of the amount of amps being drawn when the starter is engaged. If it its just warm to the touch more that likely that part of the circuit is fine but may need a brush cleaning to get good bare metal contact lead to lead or lead to metal. everything needs to be shiney that comes together especially at the mating surfaces..... Also if it has the old automotive lead clamp style attachment for the positive terminal and it has been replace with one of those that clamp on to the end of the cable. That point will give you a "fit" those things are notorious for causing shorts becasue eventually the copper wire and lead develop corrosion between them. If that be the case there really isn't but one solution and that is to replace the whole cable with a factory installed terminal clamp......Also check all relays sound like you may have one stuck since you are bleeding down batteries..