96 Searay 175 merc 3.0 ignition problem

[96ray175]

So I pulled the boat out of the garage and it wouldn't start. Changed the starter, then fired right up on the hose. Put it in the water at the lake fired up and ran great, backed off the trailer, let it run for a few minutes then it died.
It wasn't getting any spark, so I got a test light and it wasn't getting power from the purple wire that goes to the coil. I ran a wire straight from the battery to the coil and the boat ran. Is this a common problem? Can anyone point me in the direction I need to go next to resolve the problem?

 

[81 Checkmate]

Re: 96 Searay 175 merc 3.0 ignition problem

Id say you have a wire loose from the starter change out............

 

[96ray175]

Re: 96 Searay 175 merc 3.0 ignition problem

I have checked the wires on the starter all seem tight.

 

[81 Checkmate]

Re: 96 Searay 175 merc 3.0 ignition problem

Just me but i would take the wires back off and clean them and try it again. Clean and check your battery cable ends also. My boat will act up every now and then....... It will not start with the key....The cables seam tight at the battery when you try by hand to twist the cable ends....... they are not making full contact....so i take them loose.. wire brush them and slap some grease on-em.

BTW..why the starter change out?

 

[96ray175]

Re: 96 Searay 175 merc 3.0 ignition problem

I changed the starter because the starter was dragging and started smoking. It turns over now it just doesn't get any power to the coil.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: 96 Searay 175 merc 3.0 ignition problem

check the man-overboard lanyard , you have system power up to the key switch so start there. check for any inline fuses on the purple wire under the dash.
purple wire goes thru the harness to the engine plug, then to the coil.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: 96 Searay 175 merc 3.0 ignition problem

http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/13/13E4R2.PDF

 

[96ray175]

Re: 96 Searay 175 merc 3.0 ignition problem

Ok thanks! I was wondering if I could just run a wire with a resistor from my key to the coil. I have 1 night to get it ready for a trip tomorrow. Would that hurt anything?

 

[alldodge]

Re: 96 Searay 175 merc 3.0 ignition problem

Ok thanks! I was wondering if I could just run a wire with a resistor from my key to the coil. I have 1 night to get it ready for a trip tomorrow. Would that hurt anything?

If your getting power at the key, check to see if your getting 12V on the purple wire when with the ignition ON, as BT Doctur mentioned before you start jumpering things

 

[96ray175]

Re: 96 Searay 175 merc 3.0 ignition problem

There is no power with the ignition on and I have power to and from the killswitch

 

[dannys2004glastron175mx]

Re: 96 Searay 175 merc 3.0 ignition problem

on plug the big round plug on your wire harness next to your engine and clean the terminals some times they get a little moisture in there .

 

[alldodge]

Re: 96 Searay 175 merc 3.0 ignition problem

There is no power with the ignition on and I have power to and from the killswitch

When cranking
Pur/Red from key to solenoid to Pur/Yel
Pur/Yel wire thru neutral safety switch to/from + side of coil and to starter
Yel/Red wire connects with Pur/Yel on same post of the starter

When running
Red/Pur to key to purple
Purple wire goes thru kill switch then to resistor to + side coil

So as Danny mentioned check the cannon plug and connections of starter

 

[96ray175]

Re: 96 Searay 175 merc 3.0 ignition problem

Ok I cleaned connections on starter and cleaned the main harness plug still nothing. Used my test light and it's not getting power to plug

 

[alldodge]

Re: 96 Searay 175 merc 3.0 ignition problem

Ok I cleaned connections on starter and cleaned the main harness plug still nothing. Used my test light and it's not getting power to plug

Please clarify your not getting power. on any pin of the cannon plug on the engine side or neither harness side or engine side?

 

[96ray175]

Re: 96 Searay 175 merc 3.0 ignition problem

The purple wire is not getting power on the harness side with the key on. I'm guessing it's losing power between kill switch and the plug.

 

[alldodge]

Re: 96 Searay 175 merc 3.0 ignition problem

You really need a volt meter but without, using your test light verify:
When you turn the key the engine cranks but it does not start?
When cranking you do NOT get a light on the + side of the coil?

 

[96ray175]

Re: 96 Searay 175 merc 3.0 ignition problem

The engine cranks but does not start.
And there is no light on the +side of the coil.
If I use a jumper wire from battery to the coil the boat will run

 

[alldodge]

Re: 96 Searay 175 merc 3.0 ignition problem

The engine cranks but does not start.
And there is no light on the +side of the coil.
If I use a jumper wire from battery to the coil the boat will run

Check that you have a Pur/Yel wire on the + side of the coil.
Check in the pic below that the Pur/Yel and Yel/Red are connected as shown, pay no attention to top figure


Check that your test light comes on at the Pur/Yel connection on the starter

 

[96ray175]

Re: 96 Searay 175 merc 3.0 ignition problem

My coil only has 2 plugs one plug come from harness and it has a purple and grey wire, the other goes from coil to distributer

 

[alldodge]

Re: 96 Searay 175 merc 3.0 ignition problem

My coil only has 2 plugs one plug come from harness and it has a purple and grey wire, the other goes from coil to distributer

Sorry I messed up, your system is newer. It is a 96 :facepalm:

Need to find out if the Red/Pur wire is making connection at the alternator with the Purple wire, see area one