Starter Relay from sucking up rocks on 2018 Yamaha 242 Limited S E

[Lion]

As our boating season comes to and end.... for me at least...lol, out here in So.Cal,
I wanted to share a little issue that happened to me on my last outing in hopes that it might help
Other fellow boaters with newer model boats.
So on my last outing, end of the day, I took my wife to the dock so that she can get my truck and trailer. While waiting, the boat was drifting a bit and ended up drifting into shallow water.
As soon as the alarm came on, I throttled up only to hear clanking. I knew it had to be rocks.
First thing I did as soon as I earn the clanking was put it into neutral but it was too late.
The motors both shut down. Hoping that the rocks had cleared themselves, I tried turning on the motors again but only one stated so I shut them off again. I then went to check the clean outs but they were clear as far as I can reach.
I tried starting the motors again and once again only one came on. At that point, my wife had backed the trailer onto the launch ramp so i decided to use the one motor to get the boat out of the water..
Once at the house, I went under the boat and checked the props. Found a rock just a bit smaller than a tennis ball stuck. At that point, I removed it and thought that fixed the problem.
Went to start the boat and nothing. Only the one motor came on.
My buddy has a 2012 Yamaha AR240. He said it’s just the breaker. That his boat comes with breakers for everything.
We jumped onto my boat only to find that it doesn’t come with breakers. We searched everywhere.
We then came onto this forum to see if anyone had this happen to them but the threads that mentioned having rocks in the props, nobody had this happen to them.
To make this long story short....(long enough already).... had no choice but to take to dealer.
A few days later, the dealer called me and said that they couldn’t find the problem. That they were baffled and called Yamaha. Yamaha gave them suggestions on what it could be and that they tried everything and it still wouldn’t start. They were getting nothing.
They then said Yamaha was sending out an engineer to see the boat.
A few days later, short of 2 weeks, I received a call tat the boat was fixed.
Turned out to be the starter relay for that motor.
I asked if they could show me where it is in case it happens again and I could fix it myself but
They told me that the mechanic who fixed it was not available.
If anyone knows where it’s at, I’d appreciate it if I can get a picture of it.
I checked on line but it doesn’t come up.
And if this issue happens to anyone, be sure to check the starter relay or if taking your boat to the dealer, let them know to check the starter relay first. Might save you time unlike us being without a boat for 2 weeks...

 

[Scottintexas]

I believe it's in the ecu box

I'd be worried my dealer technician didn't know to troubleshoot it and had to get Corp involved

 

[Lion]

I believe it's in the ecu box

I'd be worried my trainer technician didn't know to troubleshoot it and had to get Corp involved

I was feeling the same way Scott. Hard to believe corporate had to get involved to find a fix that was quite simple.

 

[Neutron]

A cheap test light at the solenoid would have found that problem.
That dealer should be ashamed of themselves if that was in fact the issue.


I had inquired at a Yamaha dealer about employment and wanted to find out salary comparisons to what i make at Toyota. And i will say that with what they pay they are getting what they pay for.
I work a 40 hour work week and they couldnt come even close to half of what i make.
Great technicians dont come cheap

 

[Lion]

A cheap test light at the solenoid would have found that problem.
That dealer should be ashamed of themselves if that was in fact the issue

That’s what I was told the issue was Neutron. And I was wondering why it seemed like they gave me the run around when I asked if they could show me where the starter relay was at.

 

[Neutron]

If you follow the positive starter wire from the starter rearward to the back wall you will run into the relay.

The starter is under the oil filter housing i believe

 

[Lion]

If you follow the positive starter wire from the starter rearward to the back wall you will run into the relay.

Sweet, I’ll do that. I appreciate the help.

 

[Neutron]

If ever a stater relay is an issue you can jump across it from the positive leads to crank the engine. Just need the key in the on position first. Needle nose pliers work in a pinch

 

[Lion]

Yeah, at first I wasn’t sure what it was when I first pulled the boat out of the water.
I thought it would be some sort of breaker that I could reset but when I couldn’t find one, I had a feeling that the starter was shot.
I too thought about the solenoid but I couldn’t seem to see it. My big ass doesn’t fit to well in that engine compartment...lol
Figured I leave it to the pros... go figure

 

[Neutron]

Dont be afraid to post a problem when it happens here. Lots of us check on here mutiple times a day and can offer input right away

 

[Lion]

Dont be afraid to post a problem when it happens here. Lots of us check on here mutiple times a day and can offer input right away

Never afraid...lol
So far I’ve gotten all my help on this site. This is the first place I come to when in need.
This site has also helped me in spending my hard earned cash.... lol
My stereo system was put together from the advise and help from a great group of fellow enthusiasts....
I just can’t keep up if you know what I mean...lol

 

[Neutron]

So little time and not enough cash..... lol

 

[Lion]

Exactly

 

[Lion]

I have even met up with a couple of people I met on this site.
Jetboaters is definitely an awesome site.
Great group of people here

 

[Mainah]

If you ever decide to bridge contacts with something like a pair of pliers, screwdriver, etc. be careful. Starters in particular draw high amps and if you are not insulated against the current you could be injured or killed. This is also a good way to melt contacts or start a fire.

As for the dealer not finding this, I agree shame on them. The procedure for diagnosing this including checking the relay is in the service manual.

 

[MidnightRider]

Yeah that’s pretty poor- that diagnoses should have taken all of 15 min. Is the starter getting power? Nope. Is the relay getting power? Yep. Diagnosed. Crazy.
Also, thought I’d address this statement

First thing I did as soon as I heard the clanking was put it in neutral but it was too late.

Maybe you are already aware but that statement prompts me to mention in case you are not so you are aware for future incidences of pump sucking up stuff- these boats do not have a neutral, the only way to stop the impeller from turning is to turn the engine off.

 

[Lion]

Yeah that’s pretty poor- that diagnoses should have taken all of 15 min. Is the starter getting power? Nope. Is the relay getting power? Yep. Diagnosed. Crazy.
Also, thought I’d address this statement

Maybe you are already aware but that statement prompts me to mention in case you are not so you are aware for future incidences of pump sucking up stuff- these boats do not have a neutral, the only way to stop the impeller from turning is to turn the engine off.

Hey ttzz,

Correct on the neutral. I should have said I put it in neutral to stop my forward momentum. I should have just shut down the motors and that too would have stopped my momentum... it was an oh shit reaction when I heard the clanking in the impellers...

 

[Lion]

If you ever decide to bridge contacts with something like a pair of pliers, screwdriver, etc. be careful. Starters in particular draw high amps and if you are not insulated against the current you could be injured or killed. This is also a good way to melt contacts or start a fire.

As for the dealer not finding this, I agree shame on them. The procedure for diagnosing this including checking the relay is in the service manual.

Yes I was surprised that it took so long for such an easy fix. For them to say that they tried all they could to diagnose the problem and couldn’t figure it out really surprised me.
One of the reasons I wanted to share Incase anyone happened to run into a similar problem.
As for bridging contacts... shame on me if I don’t take precautions being a Lineman and working with high voltages all the time....

 

[Sbrown]

Starters in particular draw high amps and if you are not insulated against the current you could be injured or killed.

Not exactly true. Its still only a 12v circuit. It cant hurt you anymore than touching two battery terminals at the same time with your fingers can. That is to say not at all. It can however, arc and weld or melt the terminals. Starting a fire is extremely unlikely, though.

 

[Mainah]

Not exactly true. Its still only a 12v circuit. It cant hurt you anymore than touching two battery terminals at the same time with your fingers can. That is to say not at all. It can however, arc and weld or melt the terminals. Starting a fire is extremely unlikely, though.

It is the current flowing through you that kills or harms you. 20 amps at 12 volts is far more dangerous than 1 amp at 240 volts. For arguments sake lets say you cut only the positive wire going to a starter, grab onto each bare end with each hand and then tell someone to crank it. Your next of kin would be getting called. Current is drawn through a circuit. Don’t become part of a cicuit that current is getting drawn through. AC is a bit different but the current thing stays the same. If you touch a live bus bar on a household electrical panel with only one hand while wearing sneakers you will get a good shock. If you take off the sneakers and do the same thing on concrete hopefully there is someone right there to flying tackle you to the ground. As for fire if something that is melting or sparking comes into contact with something flammable you get the picture.

Everything I am saying is of course worse case and rare. Please be careful when working with and around electricity.