Mercruiser 165 wiring help?

[urutony23]

Just inherited a '72 trihull with a merc 165 in it. Won't start and no click got me thinking.....Should I deal with the wiring mess that is in the boat(past and present wiring) or just take them all out and start over? Starter is new and alternator is new too.

ANy suggestions for a Merc harness? Or should I just go one by one. Thanks guys

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercruiser 165 wiring help?

It may not be a wiring problem, finding a new OEM harness for that old an engine will be next to impossible. I usually get wire of the proper color and size and make my own. But that may not be your problem. Might read this first.
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=167035

 

[urutony23]

Re: Mercruiser 165 wiring help?

Awesome, thanks so much!!

 

[starsnstripers]

Re: Mercruiser 165 wiring help?

Should be a slave solenoid on the port side of the engine, put a test light on it and see if your getting juice from the ign. switch then test from there to starter. Should also have a power (red button) cuircut breaker thing in the engine harness, test both sides of that. Test juice to starter solonoid.

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercruiser 165 wiring help?

Should be a slave solenoid on the port side of the engine, put a test light on it and..............

Didn't look at that link I posted did you.

 

[starsnstripers]

Re: Mercruiser 165 wiring help?

I did after the fact. It's a good one too! nice!

 

[urutony23]

Re: Mercruiser 165 wiring help?

Didn't look at that link I posted did you.

hi don, I followed your checklist but am stuck. Is there any chance the solenoid itself can be bad? I read th\at it could be one of three things, but the solenoid itself wasn't on the list.

My harness checks out ok
but my connection after the solenpod relay check bad. Thanks again.

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercruiser 165 wiring help?

The solenoid is covered in the link, it's called a slave solenoid. The one pictured in the link is a little different looking, but works the same as yours.
Download the OEM manual for your engine from the Adults only sticky, because your wire color coding may be slightly different (no red stripe on yellow wires). Page 3E-9 should cover your wiring diagram.

 

[rebars1]

Re: Mercruiser 165 wiring help?

Also check to make sure the battery cables connections are clean and tight (both ends)

 

[urutony23]

Re: Mercruiser 165 wiring help?

OK i'm getting there with the wiring. Thanks again guys.

I'm waiting for a new starter relay to come in the mail.


Totally unrelated but why would there be an inline fuel/water separator behind the engine? I only as because it is presently not installed. Thanks again.

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercruiser 165 wiring help?

An inline fuel filter (water seperating or not) goes between the fuel tank and the engines fuel pump. When saying between, that statement only means that it's mounted in the line that goes from the tank to the fuel pump. It can be installed on the transom.