Electrical problems

[Jeremy]

Hey guys, I'm looking for some advice. I have a 98 Yamaha exciter 270hp twin. I am getting plenty of spark out of the left engine and it cranks up no problem. The right engine loses spark right after I turn the key. It continues to crank but will not fire up. Sometimes I turn the key and it won't even make a sound at all. I took it to two different shops and neither one knew what the problem is. Sometimes if I run the left motor for a few mins on the water then the right motor will start up. Occasionally the right motor will die on me when I'm just cruising. Any advice would be great.

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

first thing that I think of is the rear hatch switches, next thing that comes to mind is the battery ground wires could be corroded, next is the dead man switches up front

 

[Andy S]

You can test if it is the lanyard switch (deadman switch) by electrically disconnecting it and then try to run the engine. The lanyard switch has two sets of contacts, one for each engine. When I bought my boat it was doing exactly what yours is and my problem was the lanyard switch. I left mine electrically disconnected for a couple of months before I replaced the switch.

 

[Jeremy]

I will check the back hatch switches and the battery ground when I get home tonight. If the engine has lower compression could this be two different problems? One the engine not starting from low compression and two an electrical issue?

 

[Jeremy]

What is the boat worth if everything else on the boat is in great shape? I just had the seats redone last season. Gel coat is great. Literally everything is in great shape other then that right motor? Ball park number running and another number in the shape its in.

 

[Murf'n'surf]

Does this boat have 2 batteries?

 

[Jeremy]

No it only has one battery.

 

[PaulyB]

Is it a bad ignition switch?