Carver Owners Forum

I have a 1986 Carver Riviera with two Mercruiser 305 cid V8 engines. Starting them has become difficult, when I turn the ignition key there is just a clicking noise. Eventually they will start after repeated trying. At first it was just the port engine but now it is both and is getting worse. Hope someone can help!

Not much to go by by your description but sounds like poor battery/starter cable connections assuming the battery is charged and in good condition that is.

2impulsive wrote:Source of the post I have a 1986 Carver Riviera with two Mercruiser 305 cid V8 engines. Starting them has become difficult, when I turn the ignition key there is just a clicking noise. Eventually they will start after repeated trying. At first it was just the port engine but now it is both and is getting worse. Hope someone can help!

Sounds like your batteries are dying. If that doesn't fix the problem, look at your wiring. Corrosion can cause voltage/amperage loss from the battery, to the helm, to the stater. Check the wires on the starter, at the key switch, and at the battery. If everything is good (batteries and wiring) you may want to consider buying new starters.

Definitely a battery issue. I had the exact same problem with my lawn tractor a few years ago. New battery...problem fixed.

Have to agree, must start there first.

While the batteries are obviously getting weak, what position is your battery switch in? 1, 2 or both?

I had the same problem,turned out that the negative battery cables on the bell housings were loose.Damn near had a fire as it was trying to ground elsewhere,(fuel tank sender wires).

Yes - time for new battery or two. Here's something I learned - truck parts places sell big batteries cheap! Buying from a marine supplier usually means more money, and truckers don't have that! Check with your nearby truck parts distributor. I got a good Group 31 from a truck parts place here in Charlotte for $69. Can't go wrong with that!

As others mentioned, check for cleanliness and tightness of the battery connections. If all good most battery retailers (autozone etc.) will do a load test on the batteries for free. If they fail, replace them. If they don't, you have a starter or wiring problem. Many older chargers tend to overcharge them, many people don't remove them and keep them on a maintainer over the winter, so If you get five years out of boat batteries you are doing very well.

Is this a single click when you turn the key or just keeps clicking as long as you have the key in the start position? If it's a continous clicking then above applies. If it's only a single click and intermitent but getting worse, it's likely your slave solenoids or starter solenoids.