Emergency Engine Start Troubleshooting
Dead in
the Water?
There is nothing worse than a boat that won't start on a sunny day. We bring the diagnostics to your dock to get you running fast.
The "No Crank"
Silence when you turn the key? We check the "Start Circuit"—batteries, kill switches, neutral safety switches, and starter solenoids.
The "Crank, No Start"
The engine turns over but won't fire? This is usually Fuel or Spark. We test fuel pressure and ignition coil output to isolate the missing variable.
Computer Scan
For modern outboards and EFI inboards, we plug in our diagnostic computers to read fault codes and sensor data in real-time.
Systematic Diagnosis.
We don't guess. We follow the flow.
Electrical
Voltage is the heartbeat. We load-test batteries and check for voltage drop at the starter to rule out power issues.
Fuel
We check for fuel presence, pressure, and quality. Is the pump running? Is there water in the separator?
Ignition
We use spark gap testers to visually verify that the coils are delivering high-voltage fire to the plugs.
Compression
If all else passes, we check mechanical health—compression and timing—to ensure the engine can run.
Back on the Water.
Solving the mystery of the non-starting boat.
The Toolkit.
Advanced tools for modern marine engines.
Common Questions
It ran fine last week! Why not now?
Boats sit in a harsh environment. Corrosion can grow on a ground wire in days, or ethanol fuel can separate and clog injectors while sitting.
Can you fix it at the dock?
90% of non-start issues (batteries, sensors, filters, fuses) can be fixed immediately on-site without hauling the boat.