Mercruiser 3.0 won't start.

[Dhuston99]

2005 Bayliner 185 3.0l mercruiser. Had a problem last summer where boat wouldn't turn over when key turned. Happened intermittently. Thought it was starter going bad. Replaced starter and solenoid still won't start. When the key is turned all I get is a beep and you can here a click near the starter. Gauges move when key turned. The beep doesn't stop as long as the key is turned to the on position. I thought it stopped after a second or two but I could be wrong. Also, jumpered across the started and it turned over. Any thoughts?

 

[alldodge]

jumpered across the started

If this means jumped the starter at the starter solenoid, ok
If it means you jumped across the slave relay, also ok

Which was it?

Have you checked the slave relay?

 

[Dhuston99]

I actually checked both. The starter first then the relay. Engine turned over on both. The starter and solenoid on the starter are both brand new. I guess I will probably get a new relay tomorrow and try that.

 

[alldodge]

OK, then power is not making it to the slave relay
Power passes from start terminal on key, to yellow/red wire, to neutral safety switch, to slave relay. The other side of the coil on the slave goes to ground.

Turn key to start and hold there while slightly moving the throttle handle forward and back. If it cranks then the neutral safety might need adjusting/replaced. Can also just continue to move throttle

Measure the voltage at the key terminal when turned to start to see if your getting 12V. If 12V is there see if its at the slave yellow/red wire

 

[Dhuston99]

Afraid I might have made this problem worse. I bought a new slave relay, figured I might as well go ahead and change it anyway. Thought the battery switch was set to off but it wasn't. Reached in to bend the metal tabs holding the slave relay in place and got an arc. Now have no power at all. No beep. No blower. Checked the main circuit breaker on the engine and it doesn't seem blown. Checked all the fuses behind helm and they are good.

 

[alldodge]

Look for the 20 amp ignition fuse at the helm. It will either be [art of the fuse panel or an inline fuse on the red/purple wire

 

[Dhuston99]

For the red and purple wire at the fuse box but it runs to 15 amp fuse and it is fine. Can't find any fuses that are blown in fuse panel

 

[alldodge]

What voltage do you have on the Red/purple on the key switch?

If there is 12V, then turn key to start and see if there is 12V on the Yellow/Red