Yamaha 15 HP electric start not starting!

[smocosailing]

I have a 2023, 15 HP, 4 stroke Yamaha electric start outboard.

Out of nowhere, she stopped starting when I push the start button. When pulling with the emergency pull cord, the engine starts just fine.
I've taken voltage tests everywhere possible, ensured conductivity through all of my wires and don't see any issues.

I've also replaced the solenoid and the actual start button itself. The batteries are in perfect condition, I used them to start the starter motor by connecting it directly to the battery and the starter motor worked just fine. I've replaced all fuses and ensured the fuse box itself is functioning.

I'll probably have to go to a professional for this one, but I thought I would start here. Any ideas what this could be or something that I am not trying?

 

[Stand Up]

Check the simple things first.
Is there a fuse in the line that's blown or ineffective. Check them with a multi meter rather than just a visual. Sometimes, a short to ground will cause a new fuse to blow as fast as you install it.
Check the wires to be sure there is not a loose connection. Sometimes just pulling on the wires a bit will allow one to come loose which means a poor connection.
Is the cut off/safety switch working as it should? A multi meter will be your friend here.
Be extra sure your battery connections are all good and tight with no corrosion at all.
Check ground for a proper connection too.

Let us know the eventual outcome, please.

 

[FuzzyGrub]

Is the starter motor trying to turn at all? or completely dead?

 

[Mad Dog 2]

I concur with “Stand Up” especially about the ground.
I would also look for a bad cable end, bad crimps, dirty fuse holder, fuse holder contact spread open, failed fuse but not blown, dirty battery terminals, main/heavy ground wire not hook up, battery with bad plates and dirty/loose ground wire. Check the multi pin plugs. Look to see if all male pin and female sockets are fully seated and the same height.
The items above can test good with a voltmeter but fail (connection breaks) under load.
-I have had fuses fail but appeared good.
- Worked on a crane that had intermittent starting problems. Pulled on the battery cables at battery and cable pull right out of the crimp.
- Poor charging and poor starting traced back to grounds on paint engine blocks or loose grounds.
- Main ground cable disconnected but but voltmeter reads fine because other lighter ground cables are working.

 

[Hoppi84]

Thats the service model that should cover yours... Mines a 2020.

 

[smocosailing]

Is the starter motor trying to turn at all? or completely dead?

The starter motor does not engage when I press the electric start button like I usually do. But I removed the starter motor and attached it directly to the start battery and it worked just fine.

 

[smocosailing]

View attachment 124357
Thats the service model that should cover yours... Mines a 2020.

Thanks! I think it is something in the starter motor circuit, essentially because I'm not hearing anything when I push the start button. I'll investigate that today.

 

[smocosailing]

Check the simple things first.
Is there a fuse in the line that's blown or ineffective. Check them with a multi meter rather than just a visual. Sometimes, a short to ground will cause a new fuse to blow as fast as you install it.
Check the wires to be sure there is not a loose connection. Sometimes just pulling on the wires a bit will allow one to come loose which means a poor connection.
Is the cut off/safety switch working as it should? A multi meter will be your friend here.
Be extra sure your battery connections are all good and tight with no corrosion at all.
Check ground for a proper connection too.

Let us know the eventual outcome, please.

No issues with fuses. I checked the continuity with multimeter and even bypassed them and no luck.

I went through the wires and couldnt find anything loose but I'm going to again today.

The cut off works just great! When I start the outboard with the emergency pull cord I use the cut off to stop the outboard.

Battery tight and reading 12.9 voltage at Solenoid/Starter motor.

Thanks for the ideas!

 

[davidj65]

I have a 2023, 15 HP, 4 stroke Yamaha electric start outboard.

Out of nowhere, she stopped starting when I push the start button. When pulling with the emergency pull cord, the engine starts just fine.
I've taken voltage tests everywhere possible, ensured conductivity through all of my wires and don't see any issues.

I've also replaced the solenoid and the actual start button itself. The batteries are in perfect condition, I used them to start the starter motor by connecting it directly to the battery and the starter motor worked just fine. I've replaced all fuses and ensured the fuse box itself is functioning.

I'll probably have to go to a professional for this one, but I thought I would start here. Any ideas what this could be or something that I am not trying?

I have a 2023 F-25, which is basically the same motor, with the exact same issue. Electric starter works intermittently, though. Sometimes struggles, sometimes starts right up, sometimes nothing at all. I had the starter solenoid replaced under warranty with only 12 hours on the motor, and it started after that. Taking it to Yamaha as soon as the weather breaks.

I've tried different batteries, checked everything, it is wired directly to a brand new dedicated starter battery. Seems to be an issue of intermittent current, because like I said, starts right up perfectly sometimes, then five minutes later does nothing. Always starts on the first pull with the cord.

 

[smocosailing]

I have a 2023 F-25, which is basically the same motor, with the exact same issue. Electric starter works intermittently, though. Sometimes struggles, sometimes starts right up, sometimes nothing at all. I had the starter solenoid replaced under warranty with only 12 hours on the motor, and it started after that. Taking it to Yamaha as soon as the weather breaks.

I've tried different batteries, checked everything, it is wired directly to a brand new dedicated starter battery. Seems to be an issue of intermittent current, because like I said, starts right up perfectly sometimes, then five minutes later does nothing. Always starts on the first pull with the cord.

Ok, I already replaced the solenoid and same problem. Mine isn't an intermittent problem, it's a 'never start' problem.

 

[thill]

Neutral switch on your shifter is probably stuck. A little WD40 will probably fix it. Spray it and exercise the switch, and it will probably solve the problem.

I don't know WHERE the neutral safety switch is on your model, but you can go to Boats.net and look up your motor's model number and find it. Or maybe someone can post a pic, if you can't find it.

 

[smocosailing]

It's worth a shot! I'll try today, thanks

 

[thill]

It looks like part #30:
https://www.boats.net/catalog/yamaha/outboard/2023/15hp/f15lmha/electrical-1

 

[thill]

That is just a guess... I'm not sure your exact model, but you can choose from this page:
https://www.boats.net/catalog/yamaha/outboard/2023/15hp

 

[thill]

Often, in an emergency, you can jump the wires together so that you can start it, but you must be careful to not start it in gear and throw people out of the boat or cause severe injury or death from a spinning prop.

That can get you home, but clean up that switch or replace it as soon as possible.

 

[smocosailing]

I just bypassed the neutral safety switch again and it didn't do anything different, still no start. It depresses and releases just fine but no luck. Thanks tho!

 

[MrGiggles]

Does this outboard have an ignition switch?

Would need to see a wiring diagram to be sure, those start systems are pretty simple. Power usually comes from the main fuse, to the ignition switch, to the start switch, neutral safety switch, and finally to the starter solenoid. Since you have eliminated the solenoid and the neutral switch, my guess is that you're losing power somewhere between the fuse and ignition switch, perhaps between the ignition and the neutral switch.

You can quickly test the integrity of the starter motor, solenoid, and battery by just jumpering the solenoid. Rig up a test lead from battery positive (where the battery positive cable attaches to the solenoid is just fine), unhook the positive coil wire on the solenoid and apply power to it, the starter should engage. If not, you have a poor connection somewhere or bad solenoid.

If it does crank, get a test light or voltmeter and follow that positive solenoid coil wire backwards until you find power again. This is best done with a wiring diagram to "light your way," so to speak.

 

[smocosailing]

Does this outboard have an ignition switch?

Would need to see a wiring diagram to be sure, those start systems are pretty simple. Power usually comes from the main fuse, to the ignition switch, to the start switch, neutral safety switch, and finally to the starter solenoid. Since you have eliminated the solenoid and the neutral switch, my guess is that you're losing power somewhere between the fuse and ignition switch, perhaps between the ignition and the neutral switch.

You can quickly test the integrity of the starter motor, solenoid, and battery by just jumpering the solenoid. Rig up a test lead from battery positive (where the battery positive cable attaches to the solenoid is just fine), unhook the positive coil wire on the solenoid and apply power to it, the starter should engage. If not, you have a poor connection somewhere or bad solenoid.

If it does crank, get a test light or voltmeter and follow that positive solenoid coil wire backwards until you find power again. This is best done with a wiring diagram to "light your way," so to speak.

There isn't an ignition switch. I've jumped the solenoid and it responds, I've also jumped the starter motor and that works great. I'll try the positive coil wire tomorrow am... thanks, you've been very helpful!

 

[FuzzyGrub]

View attachment 124357
Thats the service model that should cover yours... Mines a 2020.

Is there an electrical schematic you can post? In my yamaha service manual it is a fold out in tha back.

 

[Hoppi84]

Hopefully you can soon in on it...