Motor issues i'm stumped !! (VMAX 225)

[SkeeterJohn]

2005 - VMAX 225 HPDI

I've had some starting problems recently and after having a few things checked all i've managed to do is elliminate certain things.

Here's what is happening:

- The motor will ONLY turn over when it is trimmed below the horizonal. If it is trimmed higher the starter clicks but doesn't turn over.

- When the motor is running and i trim up it seems fine until i try to trim down and the engine stops with no beeps.

- If i trim down below the horizontal when the motor running with out going up it works fine.

- When the motor is trimmed up and i try to start the engine with the kill switch either on or off i get the same result. A click from the starter and nothing else.

- When i trim down below the horizontal and remove the kill switch the engine turns over (but doesn't start) and beeps as it should...

The oil res. on the motor is slightly below the top arrow but shows 95% full. When i turn the key i can hear the fuel pump start.

Any ideas??? I had the batteries checked and starter checked locally and they are both fine. Shame i didn't check the starter before as i puchased a replacement but i don't think that is the problem as the engine dies when i trim down when it's running.

[BuzzB8]

Sounds like there is a wire grounding out somewhere. I don't know where that would be, but I'd think it was related to the engine position, so check for shorts on the cables running to the engine, probably just inside the cowl or just in front of it.

[skeeter202]

I have a idea , i had a similar problem . when it will not crank take the big bundle of wires and move them around and I bet it will crank . I had three wires that were broken in my harness where the motor flexes , found them tracing them out . I would go to the lake one day and it would crank , then the next time it would not . try what i said and let me know .......

[SkeeterJohn]

Thanks guys. I took it to a local guy that runs his own shop as he's worked on outboards for 20+ years. That's exactly what was wrong.. The main negative cable running from the cranking battery to the motor had cracked and was sometimes getting a good connection and sometimes nothing.

It beats me that a local yamaha dealer tried to con me into spending over $1040 to have a new starter installed. The flip side is i have a spare starter i purchased myself for $200