mercruiser starter relay shorted

D

dehphoenix

Recruit
Joined
Jul 23, 2013
Messages
2
There is a single red wire attached to a square block mounted on the relay. I disconnected the wire to clean the terminal and forgot to disconnect the battery. When I used a socket to tighten the nut on the terminal it contacted the body of the relay housing and sparks flew. Now when I turn the key I get no clicking, no instruments, no accessories. I can still short the other two terminals on the relay and turn over the engine. How can I find out what is wrong? blown fuse or did I mess up the relay?
 
Bondo

Bondo

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Apr 17, 2002
Messages
70,513
Re: mercruiser starter relay shorted

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,.... Whatcha workin' on,..??

What motor,..??

What drive,..??

What vintage,..??
 
Bt Doctur

Bt Doctur

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Aug 29, 2004
Messages
19,111
Re: mercruiser starter relay shorted

inside that plastic block is the 90A link thats blown.
 
D

dehphoenix

Recruit
Joined
Jul 23, 2013
Messages
2
Re: mercruiser starter relay shorted

Bt Doctur said:
inside that plastic block is the 90A link thats blown.
Click to expand...

Bond-o said:
Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,.... Whatcha workin' on,..??

What motor,..??

What drive,..??

What vintage,..??
Click to expand...

It is a Mercruiser 3.0 1998 Sea Ray. I replaced the link with a 60A for now because that was all I could find and it solved the problem. Engine starts and all instruments and accessories work. The manual does not talk about the link but calls for a circuit breaker that I could not locate. Not sure what is supposed to be there, a 90A link or 50A circuit breaker. I am thinking the 60A link is ok.

Thanks for your help.
 
I

IGeeky1

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Jun 20, 2013
Messages
87
Re: mercruiser starter relay shorted

60A is safe, it is more likely to blow again than a 90A but puts you and your system in no danger electrical wise.

Since it is more likely to blow than a 90A make sure you know how to jump the starter solenoid in case of emergency and that you keep an appropriate plastic handled screwdriver aboard.
 
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