Hard Start and RPM Gauge spinning backwards?

[enginesilo]

So my boat has been having some issues starting for the last few times I went out. If I turn the key I hear a click but the starter doesn't engage at all. After turning it a few times it eventually spins like normal and starts right up. However, last 2 times I was out, after being anchored for an hour or two and attempted to start the boat the starter itself turned over fine, but it turned over a bunch and didn't actually start the motor. What's really wacky is that the RPM gauge went backwards. Instead of going to let's say 1500 rpm's, it went in the negative. After cranking for a 10 seconds or so 2 times with a break, it then started normal and ran as expected like nothing was wrong. Once I got back to the dock I turned it off and on a few times and it started up without hesitation or no issues.

The motor is a 2005 Mercruiser 3.0L

So here is what I'm faced with:
-When you turn the key I hear a tick but it doesn't engage or spin the starter, but eventually after turning it off and on a few times it starts the boat like normal
-2 times I was out anchored, and upon restarting the boat the engine spun over a bunch before starting and the RPM gauge was going backwards while starting and spinning over, but once the boat started the gauge returned to normal readings.

Could this be a ground issue? The starter starts like a champ when it spins over, but I do hear the clicking so i'm wondering if that could be a solenoid of some sort. The backwards RPM issues has my mind boggled I never saw anything like this, but I do know RPM gauges work on a pulse or current so it could be some type of interference or ground issue.

Any ideas?

 

[NHGuy]

Re: Hard Start and RPM Gauge spinning backwards?

Yes it does sound like a ground or contacts issue. Since it's a 2005 it could also be a problem with battery if the battery is still original.
Pull the battery and get a test done.
If it's good clean up your grounds and starter contacts with a wire brush. Use as soft metal of a brush (poor English eh?) as you can. Just brush enough to shine them up. Try not to over clean them, there is tin on the contacts on top of the copper, it belongs there so don't remove it intentionally.
There are contacts on your distributor that ought to be checked too, they could be involved in your wacky tach reading.

 

[alldodge]

Re: Hard Start and RPM Gauge spinning backwards?

Not knowing if you have a carb or EFI (serial number helps a bunch) engine I'll say, for the clicking and not turning over check your slave relay (some call it a slave solenoid). For tunring over and not starting I could use a serial number

 

[NHGuy]

Re: Hard Start and RPM Gauge spinning backwards?

I was thinking as if it's carbureted.

 

[QC]

Re: Hard Start and RPM Gauge spinning backwards?

First year for 3.0 MPI/EFI was 2009. It's carbed.

 

[alldodge]

Re: Hard Start and RPM Gauge spinning backwards?

There goes me trying to get a S/N, could still use one if the problem persist

Where is Chris when I need him LOL

 

[QC]

Re: Hard Start and RPM Gauge spinning backwards?

So withhold info to get serial number? Sorry, I didn't get the memo.

 

[enginesilo]

Re: Hard Start and RPM Gauge spinning backwards?

Yes it does sound like a ground or contacts issue. Since it's a 2005 it could also be a problem with battery if the battery is still original.
Pull the battery and get a test done.
If it's good clean up your grounds and starter contacts with a wire brush. Use as soft metal of a brush (poor English eh?) as you can. Just brush enough to shine them up. Try not to over clean them, there is tin on the contacts on top of the copper, it belongs there so don't remove it intentionally.
There are contacts on your distributor that ought to be checked too, they could be involved in your wacky tach reading.

Thanks for the feedback everyone. Yes, this 3.0L is carbureted.

I believe it is the original battery, I keep it on a tender all winter long and while I know its old as heck, it still spins the engine over strong so I figured that could be it. Guess this could very well be the issue though, but that seems too easy to me. If I bring it to Autozone or Advanced Auto will they be able to use their tester and tell me if the battery is shot even though this is a marine battery and they typically test auto batteries?

I'm not too familiar with the distributor, are there any details on opening it up and cleaning the contacts? I have the digital repair manual so i'll take a look and see if there is any mention of that.

I'm planning on going through Don's write up here:
http://forums.iboats.com/mercruiser...ting-your-engines-starting-system-167035.html

Only issue is that this problem only presents itself sometimes, and not others. Will Don's walk through give me an almost exact answer if it is the slave solenoid? All additional feedback and guidance is appreciated.

 

[Fun Times]

Re: Hard Start and RPM Gauge spinning backwards?

So withhold info to get serial number? Sorry, I didn't get the memo.

Sorry QC, But it's kind of a habit instilled by Don. Basically, no engine confirmation equals less guarantee of the accuracy of the information provided especially if you're unaware of what system is on the engine. For the most part, Don's way of doing it has just spilled over to most of the helpful forum members in the Mercruiser/Volvo section. The top posters here like to look up the engine models they are trying to provide detailed info on.

 

[Fun Times]

Re: Hard Start and RPM Gauge spinning backwards?

If I bring it to Autozone or Advanced Auto will they be able to use their tester and tell me if the battery is shot even though this is a marine battery and they typically test auto batteries?.

Yes, they also sell marine batteries as well. Make sure find out what the cold cranking amps are while testing, you want about 500+ CCA for your engine model.

I'm not too familiar with the distributor, are there any details on opening it up and cleaning the contacts?.

Yes there is a sensor under the distributor cap that can get rusty, etc. that could give your coil problems in turn giving the coil problems showing up on the RPM gauge.

I'm planning on going through Don's write up. Only issue is that this problem only presents itself sometimes, and not others. Will Don's walk through give me an almost exact answer if it is the slave solenoid?

Typically the test should help only when the problem presents itself.

Also pull the main wire harness black cannon plug located on the engine and make sure it's clean inside. Also see if there is a tight connection before disconnecting the plug and when you reinstall. Also wiggle the plug around looking for intermittent electrical power faults.

Hope this helps, Good luck.

 

[QC]

Re: Hard Start and RPM Gauge spinning backwards?

Basically, no engine confirmation equals less guarantee of the accuracy of the information provided especially if you're unaware of what system is on the engine. For the most part, Don's way of doing it has just spilled over to most of the helpful forum members in the Mercruiser/Volvo section. The top posters here like to look up the engine models they are trying to provide detailed info on.

Oh, I am in total agreement. Just razzing AllDodge for his "now I won't get the S/N" comment. All good.

 

[alldodge]

Re: Hard Start and RPM Gauge spinning backwards?

So withhold info to get serial number? Sorry, I didn't get the memo.

Oh, I am in total agreement. Just razzing AllDodge for his "now I won't get the S/N" comment. All good.

It's all good, and no biggie. Reading the OP's first post I could see that NHGuy had it pretty well covered, I only mentioned where was the clicking coming to maybe get a reference. Trying to get the serial number is what I like to do and as before NHGuy had it covered. Me adding anything else at the time would add nothing.

Cheers

 

[enginesilo]

Re: Hard Start and RPM Gauge spinning backwards?

Yes there is a sensor under the distributor cap that can get rusty, etc. that could give your coil problems in turn giving the coil problems showing up on the RPM gauge.

Hope this helps, Good luck.

Thanks again to everyone for the feedback so far. So with the distributor cap, can I throw off the timing by touching it? I had someone tell me the timing is set by turning the distributor and not to mess with it too much or it could throw the timing and then I'd have another problem to worry about.

Any tips on how to go about checking the distributor and details on timing if that is legit, thanks.

 

[alldodge]

Re: Hard Start and RPM Gauge spinning backwards?

Thanks again to everyone for the feedback so far. So with the distributor cap, can I throw off the timing by touching it? I had someone tell me the timing is set by turning the distributor and not to mess with it too much or it could throw the timing and then I'd have another problem to worry about.

Any tips on how to go about checking the distributor and details on timing if that is legit, thanks.

Yes, the timming is set by turning the distributor but touching it will not change it. It order to change the timming you would loosen the hold down clamp bolt which is under the distributor. Pulling the cap off and cleaning the inside will not change anything normally. The only time toiuching it will cause a change is if the items were already loose (which would cause all kinds of problems), or the cap and rotor were put back on incorrectly. Taking the cap off and on is pretty easy and you shouldn't have a problem.

 

[pyrotek]

Re: Hard Start and RPM Gauge spinning backwards?

Hey, this sounds familiar. Exact same thing happened to a buddy this past weekend - oh wait, it was you!

I think you need more data for what your chasing. Is it not turning over or cranking and not starting? They are either two seperate unrelated problems or a single point problem due to a bad ground or 12V connection. I would clean accessible connections and then see what happens.

I don't see why you would suspect anything with the distributor. But it doesn't hurt to clean the distributor since its easy.

I've been thinking a lot about how a RPM gauge can go backwards, and I just have no explanations for that.

 

[QC]

Re: Hard Start and RPM Gauge spinning backwards?

RPM gauge = Tachometer Sorry, was bugging me :redface:

 

[Bondo]

Re: Hard Start and RPM Gauge spinning backwards?

Hey, this sounds familiar. Exact same thing happened to a buddy this past weekend - oh wait, it was you!

I think you need more data for what your chasing. Is it not turning over or cranking and not starting? They are either two seperate unrelated problems or a single point problem due to a bad ground or 12V connection. I would clean accessible connections and then see what happens.

I don't see why you would suspect anything with the distributor. But it doesn't hurt to clean the distributor since its easy.

I've been thinking a lot about how a RPM gauge can go backwards, and I just have no explanations for that.

Ayuh,.... I agree,.... I read the Op as not crankin' on the starter, 'n the tach goin' wackin', when the starter Does engage,...

That said, I'd think just Cleanin', 'n tightenin' All the electrical connections in the Startin' circuit, beginnin' at the Battery is in order,...
Shiny metal Clean,...
Then grease 'em to keep 'em that way,...

Sounds to me like the Ground path oughta get Special attention,...
That could explain the wacky tach,...

Sorry QC, But it's kind of a habit instilled by Don. Basically, no engine confirmation equals less guarantee of the accuracy of the information provided especially if you're unaware of what system is on the engine. For the most part, Don's way of doing it has just spilled over to most of the helpful forum members in the Mercruiser/Volvo section. The top posters here like to look up the engine models they are trying to provide detailed info on.

Ayuh,.... No doubt about it,.... I tend to assume, 'n Don has beaten me silly over it, over the years,.....

Btw, QC,..... I didn't even know there Is an electronic inducted 3.0l,.... since '09,.....

 

[Fun Times]

Re: Hard Start and RPM Gauge spinning backwards?

Btw, QC,..... I didn't even know there Is an electronic inducted 3.0l,.... since '09,.....

Catalyst in the exhaust as well. Thanks again EPA.op2:

 

[QC]

Re: Hard Start and RPM Gauge spinning backwards?

MerCruiser 3.0L | Mercury Marine

 

[Bondo]

Re: Hard Start and RPM Gauge spinning backwards?

MerCruiser 3.0L | Mercury Marine

Mpi, 'n still 135 hp,.....

guess it still needs a Vortec fast burn head,....