Mwrcruiser 3.0. No start, no 12v at coil?

[olivertwisto]

Hi all, trying to get my approx 2001 3.0 mercruiser going and could use some troubleshooting pointers. Boat was running, and definitely have fuel going through the carb. Engine has been temperamental, started at first crank this morning and then nothing. Pulled a plug and grounded it, it doesn't appear to be sparking. I've checked for 12v on the purple wire at the run position at the key, and it is live. The purple wire into the coil has no power when key is in run position. Could this be where the problem lies?

I have no proper wiring diagram but what I've found online seems to suggest that the purple wire runs directly from the key to the coil. Am I safe to assume there may be a short in this run?Can anyone offer some pointers to get the boat going again? Season is short up here in Canada, I'd like to get on the water again! Any assistance is much appreciated! Cheers!

 

[achris]

If it were a short, it would blow the fuse, but since you can crank the engine, and (I assume) the gauges are working, it's not a short. My suspicions would be a bad connector in the canon plug (the main instrument harness). Pull the plug out and check for corrosion or 'closed up' pins. The pins should be SLIGHTLY spread to give good contact with the female side.

Chris......