3.0L 4cyl (181ci) purple/yellow wire to coil???

[austin123]

1988 3.0L 4cyl (181ci)<br /><br />I have a question I hope somebody can answer. I have just finished changing the plugs, points etc on my motor and noticed that there was a wire disconnected from around the starter. The wire is a purple with a yellow stripe and goes up to the positive side of the coil. The engine runs fine but looking at the seloc manual I have it seems to be supposed to be connected to some part of the starter. The starter on the boat now does not have the extra terminal to hook the wire up to which I presume is why it is hanging loose. Apparently whoever replaced the starter last left it off. What is the wire for and is it ok to remain off?<br />Any ideas/help would be most appreciated.

 

[Don S]

Re: 3.0L 4cyl (181ci) purple/yellow wire to coil???

A little help here, Mercruiser or OMC?

 

[austin123]

Re: 3.0L 4cyl (181ci) purple/yellow wire to coil???

It's a GM. Engine plate says MCM. Basically a mercruiser with the Alpha One outdrive.

 

[jeff13601]

Re: 3.0L 4cyl (181ci) purple/yellow wire to coil???

The purple yellow goes from the selonoid on top of the starter to the pos side of the coil

 

[jeff13601]

Re: 3.0L 4cyl (181ci) purple/yellow wire to coil???

Are you saying the motor runs fine with this wire unhooked? Is there also a purple resistance wire going to the pos side of the coil?

 

[austin123]

Re: 3.0L 4cyl (181ci) purple/yellow wire to coil???

yes

 

[Don S]

Re: 3.0L 4cyl (181ci) purple/yellow wire to coil???

Mercruiser was what I was looking for.<br />The wire puts battery voltage to the coil instead of going through the resistor wire. This gives more power for starting compared to the lower voltage for running that prevents points burning up as fast.<br />It will run fine without it, because it's not used when running, only starting.

 

[austin123]

Re: 3.0L 4cyl (181ci) purple/yellow wire to coil???

Sorry, yes the boat runs with it unhooked. Has never been hooked up whilst I have had the boat and yes there is another wire going to the coil, think it is purple. What is a 'resistance' wire for??

 

[austin123]

Re: 3.0L 4cyl (181ci) purple/yellow wire to coil???

Am I right in saying that it would go to the same switched + which goes to the starter solenoid?

 

[austin123]

Re: 3.0L 4cyl (181ci) purple/yellow wire to coil???

Could this have also been causing me problems starting when the engine had warmed up?

 

[Don S]

Re: 3.0L 4cyl (181ci) purple/yellow wire to coil???

Am I right in saying that it would go to the same switched + which goes to the starter solenoid?

No, it hooks up like that shown in the picture. <br /><br />

 

[Don S]

Re: 3.0L 4cyl (181ci) purple/yellow wire to coil???

Could this have also been causing me problems starting when the engine had warmed up?

Yep, sure could. You would have less voltage for spark.

 

[jeff13601]

Re: 3.0L 4cyl (181ci) purple/yellow wire to coil???

I think the resistor wire is used to lower the voltage from 12 volts to the coil. I want to say six or so but I am not sure. Don will know for sure

 

[austin123]

Re: 3.0L 4cyl (181ci) purple/yellow wire to coil???

That's what the Seloc manual showed but the starter on the engine does not have this terminal. I am kind of worried now.....could I have an automotive starter under there???!!!

 

[jeff13601]

Re: 3.0L 4cyl (181ci) purple/yellow wire to coil???

You dont have a solonoid mounted on top of your starter?

 

[austin123]

Re: 3.0L 4cyl (181ci) purple/yellow wire to coil???

Well I have a slave solenoid (which I actually just replaced tonight) which switches 12v to the starter solenoid? Now I am confused. Why would I have two solenoids?

 

[jeff13601]

Re: 3.0L 4cyl (181ci) purple/yellow wire to coil???

I could be wrong about it being called a solonoid. On top of the starter motor is there another smaller cylinder where the wires connect?

 

[austin123]

Re: 3.0L 4cyl (181ci) purple/yellow wire to coil???

Yes. And it would be a solenoid, i.e a magnetic field which pulls in a plunger when power applied to throw out the gear to the flywheel (indirectly). But on a normal starter you have four terminals. A + & - for the coil on the solenoid and a normally open contact (switched by the coil) for the motor itself, correct? Mine only has three so it must be using the chassis of the motor as a solenoid ground. So to me I would put the wire on the same wire as the swiched + from the slave solenoid, correct??

 

[Don S]

Re: 3.0L 4cyl (181ci) purple/yellow wire to coil???

Sounds to me like you have a solenoid on your starter, but either the terminal is broken off, or you have the wrong solenoid on the starter.<br />Where did this starter come from, is it a Marine starter or automotive?<br />Terminal D is the one you want the Purple/yellow wire attached to. If that terminal is not there, you need to find out why it's not there.<br /><br /><br />

 

[Don S]

Re: 3.0L 4cyl (181ci) purple/yellow wire to coil???

So to me I would put the wire on the same wire as the swiched + from the slave solenoid, correct??

WRONG