No start no crank

[Devildog891]

Apologies if this has been asked over and over. I screwedup the other day and hooked my battery up backwards. Knew I blew the 90amp fuse so I replaced it. Also replaced the slave solenoid because it appeared to have seen better days. Had my starter tested, and didn't have any issue. Ran my test light through all of the ignition components. Checked the dash, did not blow any fuses there. Checked the ignition switch and i didnt have power anywhere so I replaced that. Mechanic suggested trying to start it through the yellow wire and purple wire, no luck. I am suspecting a hidden fuse some where and I was hoping someone here may know the location? Boat is a 2000 bayliner capri 1950 with the 3.0 mercruiser. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated! TIA!

 

[alldodge]

Howdy
Always best with motor serial numbers but let see how far we get with 200 3.0L.

Checked the ignition switch and i didnt have power anywhere so I replaced that.

If you don't have power anywhere then no reason to replace, but follow the Red/Purple wire from key. There should be a 20 amp inline fuse along it

 

[Devildog891]

Thanks for the reply. I can go pull the serial off the plate real quick. I have looked all around the instrument cluster and didn't see any sort of fuse coming off of there. Could it be hiding behind the side cushions by the shifter? Serial looks like L330778, worn off of flame arrestor

 

[alldodge]

Follow the red/purple wire from the key to where ever it goes, and there is either a inline fuse or a breaker. It has to be there

 

[Devildog891]

I found this with the purple wire into it from the ignition. Its not like any fuse I have seen before though

 

[alldodge]

No thats the beeper or alarm

Follow the Red/Purple not the Purple

 

[Devildog891]

Didn't think that was it, wishful thinking on my part. I will keep digging. Thank you for the help

 

[Devildog891]

And the mystery continues. I have power at the red/purple to fuse block. What are the chances of having cooked the wire from the fuse block to the ignition switch?

 

[alldodge]

In most cases no, but may just be corrosion

 

[achris]

And the mystery continues. I have power at the red/purple to fuse block. What are the chances of having cooked the wire from the fuse block to the ignition switch?

'Fuse block'. Please explain. You should only have a heavy gauge red/purple running into a fuse holder (usually a 3AG glass fuse), then the same red/purple running from the fuse holder to the ignition key... If that's not what's there, then someone has messed with the original wiring, and it needs to be restored back to the way it was. If it's not 'standard' (and Merc did a damn good job of making the wiring reliable, and simple), then it makes it VERY difficult for us to advise you. We are all working with the manuals and drawings provided by Mercury, and if what you have isn't what we are reading, all bets are off.

Chris..........

This is what it SHOULD look like. ('h' is the fuse)

 

[Devildog891]

Crazy as it sounds, the wiring appears original. I will look again, but with having power at fuse panel, sorry kept calling it a "block". I am seeing the 12.6 volts all the way through until it reaches the ignition and then I have nothing. Having a storm brewing up or I would go take a look again. Just getting frustrated, I know its something easy I am not seeing. I appreciate all the advise, this site has helped out more than once

 

[achris]

You see 12v on the fuse, but nothing at the ignition switch...

Get a short jumper wire and hook form the fuse to the switch. If that works, you have a faulty wire.

Chris.......

 

[Devildog891]

Appreciate it, I am going to give that a try this morning if I can get the rain to stop. Can I rewire this to bypass the fuse block from the red/purple that goes to the fuse panel straight to the ignition? (with an inline fuse of course)

 

[alldodge]

Yes it can go straight to the key. Keep in mind it should be fused, and could use a in line 20 amp fuse

https://www.amazon.com/Support-Holder-Copper-Standard-Socket/dp/B017BAF67I

 

[Devildog891]

Not 100% sure what the hell I did, but I am once again up and running! Pulled the wires off, put them back on, and presto! She runs again! Thank you again for your help on this! Painted my battery terminals to make sure I don't do that again!