4 prong starter replacing a 3 prong help

[rmcduffie70]

Please help I ordered a replacement starter, my old starter has 3 prongs my new starter has 4. I have done out of boat test and the new starter works, old one doesn't but when I wire it up in boat it doesn't do a thing. Is there something I would have to jump?

 

[Don S]

Re: 4 prong starter replacing a 3 prong help

Those prongs are called terminals. 4 is normal for a marine engine. 3 if an automotive (cheap and dangerous in a boat) replacement. Plus, depending on what engine you have may help it start. Automotive is also an explosion hazard.

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[rmcduffie70]

Re: 4 prong starter replacing a 3 prong help

Well the boat had a 3 terminal and it was marine grade, I am putting in a 4 terminal however it does not spin, it's a 1992 mercruiser 5.0L

 

[rmcduffie70]

Re: 4 prong starter replacing a 3 prong help

I'm 100 percent positive the 3 term was the original starter, shows 3 term in the wiring guide that came with the boat shows 3 terminal, I am hoping that I can replace it with this 4 terminal which also is a rent marine grade that was supposed to be a replacement however the terminal number is different

 

[Don S]

Re: 4 prong starter replacing a 3 prong help

There is nothing wrong with a 4 terminal starter. Just make sure it's marine rated.

 

[rmcduffie70]

Re: 4 prong starter replacing a 3 prong help

Should it be wired the same way as the 3? Or do I need some kind of jumper because if I wore it the same as the 3 I'm not getting anything but a click from the slave solenoid

 

[Don S]

Re: 4 prong starter replacing a 3 prong help

Just pretend the 4th terminal isn't there, and wire it up like your 3 terminal starter was wired. Nothing on that 4th terminal.

 

[rmcduffie70]

Re: 4 prong starter replacing a 3 prong help

Ok does the starter have to be installed in order to be grounded or should it spin if I wire it up and not install it?

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Re: 4 prong starter replacing a 3 prong help

The starter is grounded when it's bolted to the block.