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hard start 95 echelon


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I'm a handy guy, but no mechanic...my 95' echelon 260 hp (fuel injected) was hard starting this weekend - sounded very slow and cumbersome to turn over. eventually jumped started it for extra power and it caught. it runs great once started. even when the engine was warm, it is hard to turn over, but no longer needs the jump start. My electrical engineer ski buddy assured me the battery tested fine and the alternator is sending a current. we checked and secured all wiring from battery, alternator, and starter. problem remains. arm chair mechanics have recommended replacing the starter. another recommended the voltage regulator - ? any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. also, the engine was replaced with a rebuilt 2 seasons ago.

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If the alternator is original, old, and has a lot of hours, then rebuilding it with a brush kit and new voltage regulator is easy. I did it to mine with no experience.

If your volt gauge is showing abnormal readings, it could be the alternator.

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Saw that you said you "secured the wiring..." I would actually remove and check things like ground wires & check for corrosion both where the terminal ring is crimped on the wire and where it is fastened to engine. Verify cleanliness of teriminals on battery. This is the cheap stuff that can cause the problem your having. Then move on to the more expensive.

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To date and I have a similar boat, every time I experience that particular problem it has been the battery. How old is it? If over a couple of years and it gets stored in cold climates, I would suspect the battery. Loose connections are also a possible culprit.

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I'm a handy guy, but no mechanic...my 95' echelon 260 hp (fuel injected) was hard starting this weekend - sounded very slow and cumbersome to turn over. eventually jumped started it for extra power and it caught. it runs great once started. even when the engine was warm, it is hard to turn over, but no longer needs the jump start. My electrical engineer ski buddy assured me the battery tested fine and the alternator is sending a current. we checked and secured all wiring from battery, alternator, and starter. problem remains. arm chair mechanics have recommended replacing the starter. another recommended the voltage regulator - ? any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. also, the engine was replaced with a rebuilt 2 seasons ago.

Nice boat! Do you have a digital volt meter? If so get a friend to monitor your battery voltage while you crank the engine over. Have him/her hold the meter leads directly on the battery posts (not the cable terminals). While cranking your battery voltage should not drop below 9.5 volts after 15 seconds of cranking. If it drops below this,....replace the battery. If voltage remains above 10 volts and cranking is still slow, check all cables for lose connections. You can also check voltage drop across any cable or connection simply by attaching the meter leads in parallel with the connection/cable while cranking. Acceptable voltage drop is .2 volts accross any connection. Write back if you have more questions.

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