I've got a 2004 GX185SF Glastron with a Volvo Penta 4.3GL-D (carb) stern
drive that suddenly decided not to start. This was the first time out
this year (Colorado) and everything was fine for most of the day. The
boat started fine, ran fine, temp, oil pressure normal, etc. We were
fishing, so were moving around the lake at various times, probably
had started up the engine 8 to 10 times without problems. The motor was
only being used 5-30 minutes at a time to move to different locations on
the lake. The last time it started, the engine ran just a couple of
minutes, at very slow speed. Then it just decided to not start.

When I turn the key, all it does is one click sound, and what I assume
to be the low buzz of the fuel pump. The alarm also sounds normally as
well - one for indicating the transom is not in the water. The motor
has less than 100 hours on it as its used more for fishing, using an
electric trolling motor, than other activities. Lubricants changed, new
plugs, filters, freshwater coolent drained as prescribed before winter,
and garage stored.

The battery reads 13+ volts. I havn't been able to find a blown fuse
that might be causing the problem - have looked under the dash, and in
the box above the motor in the engine compartment, where the two relays
are. The relays don't "look" bad, but don't know how to test them.
The starter looks clean, no corrosion, but havn't tested it. The
throttle is in the neutral position, and the ignition interrupt clip is
in place when trying to start.

Any ideas as to what I might look for? I called the boat dealer to get
them to take a look, but they are 4+ weeks out on work, and really not
looking to wait that long. No experience with boat motors, lots of
experience with cars over the years though and seems like it ought to be
something simple enough to fix if I can figure out what it is.

Five miles with an electric trolling motor, partly in the dark kinda
ruins a good day fishing, but guess thankfully we had an extra battery.

Ron