Mercrusier 4.3l LX 1994 - Starter issues

[achris]

Re: Mercrusier 4.3l LX 1994 - Starter issues

Odd indeed -

There are two small terminals on the battery - the ground is connected to the battery by a small wingnut. The larger neg terminal on the battery has nothing connected.

Are you saying there are NO cables on the negative terminal at all?

Are the cable lugs clean? If there is a little corrosion between each lug it would display exactly as you are seeing it... Make sure all ground and power wire terminals are cleaned, with a wire brush....

If the terminals are all clean and you have the smaller red wire on the big terminal of the starter and you still have no power, connect a temporary wire from the starter terminal (same one as the red battery cable is on) to the red terminal on the circuit breaker...

Chris......

 

[estonianman]

Re: Mercrusier 4.3l LX 1994 - Starter issues

Are you saying there are NO cables on the negative terminal at all?

Are the cable lugs clean? If there is a little corrosion between each lug it would display exactly as you are seeing it... Make sure all ground and power wire terminals are cleaned, with a wire brush....

If the terminals are all clean and you have the smaller red wire on the big terminal of the starter and you still have no power, connect a temporary wire from the starter terminal (same one as the red battery cable is on) to the red terminal on the circuit breaker...

Chris......

We are getting juice at the terminal on the starter - but nothing on the trim or the rest of the electrical system for that matter.

Using simply a test light.

I will try a direct connection to the breaker. thanks.

 

[estonianman]

Re: Mercrusier 4.3l LX 1994 - Starter issues

connect a temporary wire from the starter terminal (same one as the red battery cable is on) to the red terminal on the circuit breaker...

Chris......

Ok - everything works jumping the starter terminal to the battery - lights, bilge, all circuits are good. It even cranks.

So how did my wire go out while installing a new starter - strange.

 

[achris]

Re: Mercrusier 4.3l LX 1994 - Starter issues

Ok - everything works jumping the starter terminal to the battery - lights, bilge, all circuits are good. It even cranks.

So how did my wire go out while installing a new starter - strange.

Corrosion inside the lug, break somewhere in the wire, et al.

 

[estonianman]

Re: Mercrusier 4.3l LX 1994 - Starter issues

Corrosion inside the lug, break somewhere in the wire, et al.

Definitely breaker - i'll replace it tomorrow.

Thanks everyone

 

[estonianman]

Re: Mercrusier 4.3l LX 1994 - Starter issues

Replaced the breaker from a 1992 Galaxy - 4cyl merc. Boat ran like a clock all day until running it at full throttle caused it to die. The only way I can get it to run is by bypassing the "new" breaker.

wtf is causing these breakers to malfunction so quickly?

 

[achris]

Re: Mercrusier 4.3l LX 1994 - Starter issues

What's the output of the new alternator? If you have a low battery and the alternator is outputting more than the breaker rating, then it will pop the breaker...

I would recheck ALL the connections. If you have dirty connections it could cause spikes that could kill more than a breaker....

Chris..........

 

[estonianman]

Re: Mercrusier 4.3l LX 1994 - Starter issues

No new alternator - that is factory as far as I know. I will inquire with the previous owner - thanks.

The breaker that I replaced that was causing the problems rattled as if it was filled with dirt - a bad sign I take it.

edit:

The used breaker I installed isn't popping - it simply doesn't work.

 

[achris]

Re: Mercrusier 4.3l LX 1994 - Starter issues

Sorry, I thought you'd replaced an alternator... Maybe another thread... . You did the starter motor, yes? Again, check for bad/dirty connections, or maybe you just got unlucky, it happens....

Chris.........