Merc 4.3L starts won't run

[mikmid]

I left the radio on and ran the battery down on my 2000 Tracker Party Deck 21 which has a 4.3L 2 barrel carb merc alpha 1 in it. When I changed the battery the volt meter would not work when I ran it once then the second time I tried to run it, it would start when the key was turned to start but will not run when the key is let back to run. I've changed the key switch with no improvment. Anyone have any ideas.

 

[elpaso]

Re: Merc 4.3L starts won't run

Turn key to run position - check<br />if you have voltage on plus side<br />of coil.

 

[mikmid]

Re: Merc 4.3L starts won't run

There is no voltage at the positive side of the coil when the key is at run. there is also no alarms sounding. Anyone have ideas. I've looked for all the fuses and found none blown.

 

[elpaso]

Re: Merc 4.3L starts won't run

Do you have Thunderbolt 4 or 5 ignition ? <br />Do you have a wiring diagram ?<br />Check for 12 volts at run terminal on<br />the ignition switch.<br />Switch will be marked - B battery - I ignition<br /> - S solinoid ( starter )<br /><br />How many wires and what color go to the<br />plus side of coil ?<br />Check for voltage at volt meter.<br /><br />Has a ballast resistor been added in<br />purple wire to coil ?

 

[mikmid]

Re: Merc 4.3L starts won't run

It's a Thunderbolt 5.<br />No wiring diagram, got parts of one online.<br />Have 12V at Run terminal on ignition switch when switch is to run.<br />One purple wire to + side of coil.<br />There is no voltage at the dash volt meter with key switch on.<br />I can't find a ballast resister in purple wire. Have traced wiring as much as possible.<br /><br />Also THANKS FOR THE HELP!

 

[vinney]

Re: Merc 4.3L starts won't run

Is there any chance you hooked the battery up back wards? There is a breaker on the starter 50 amp. You need a test light and trace the voltate from the starter. Is a square block with a small black cover on one side and is mounted to the 12 volt positive side of the starter.

 

[mikmid]

Re: Merc 4.3L starts won't run

Triple checked that I did not hook the battery up backwards. All reds to + all blacks to -.<br />Will now check the breaker at the starter but suspect the engine would not turn over if that was tripped. <br />Will also eliminate the emergency shut down to see if it is causing the problem.

 

[vinney]

Re: Merc 4.3L starts won't run

Have you check the large plug on the engine we call it a cannon plug. Loosen the clamp and push it all the way in. Sometimes when you working on the engine you will lean on the plug. Your problem is in the purple wire in the engine harness. Cannon plug, harness, key switch. Trace the purple wire for the key switch back.

 

[mikmid]

Re: Merc 4.3L starts won't run

To all of you gentelmen that replied (there are few of us left) it was a faulty emergency lanyard shut down at the dash board that was the culprit. Thanks for your input.

 

[elpaso]

Re: Merc 4.3L starts won't run

A great help for a do it yourself boater<br />is - marinemechanic.com - Go to Mercury<br />section. This is the best repair site<br />on the internet. Your wiring diagram is there.