3L Merc won't start

[chiroken]

I've got an '07 Maxum 1800MX with 3L merc I/O that left me stranded yesterday. New to me this summer, had it out 8+ times without any issues, has run great. Low hours, bought it with 57 on it. Killed the engine to pick up a skier and then the motor wouldn't start up again. At first the blower didn't work either. Took off the neg. term on the battery and then blower and bilge worked, nothing with the key turned. No "click", no dash gauges working either. No alarm when turning the ignition on like normal.

I've tried pushing in the motor circuit breaker and all fuses under the dash are fine. Doesn't seem to be a loose connection under the dash.

Tonight I'm going to start cleaning connections off the battery and starter, even though they look good.

Any suggestions to specifically target the problem? Agree it sounds more like a ground issue than starter/solenoid issue?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: 3L Merc won't start

I would certainly start with taking off and cleaning the various cables - both positive and negative. See if that does anything.

 

[Don S]

Re: 3L Merc won't start

Check the square fuse on the starter.
Looks like this.

 

[bds85466]

Re: 3L Merc won't start

Any suggestions to specifically target the problem? Agree it sounds more like a ground issue than starter/solenoid issue?

Start with the battery terminal connections. If you have multiple [neg] cables coming back to your battery, make sure each one is in good contact with the terminal. Buy a nice SS brush and get both the wire/ring leads (inside and out) and the battery terminals nice and shiny.

Try that first, and work backwards, cleaning and tightening connections. Look for breaks, trouble spots etc.

I would agree that it sounds much more like a ground issue than a starter/solenoid issue, especially if you said that your accessories weren't working. In the current condition, see what's working and what isn't. If NOTHING is working, it's probably a ground issue.

I had this recently happen to my merc as well. As troubling as I thought it might be, it truly was the connections. I had multiple grounds with poor leads...disaster waiting to happen. Respliced a couple, cleaned the terminals and leads and it was back in order.

Starter and blower tend to draw a lot of amperage, so when you engage these particular items, the current initially spikes -- any poor connection amplifies resistance, causing an open circuit, and no therefore, no electrical connectivity.

 

[Bondo]

Re: 3L Merc won't start

Took off the neg. term on the battery and then blower and bilge worked,

Ayuh,... 1 more for Bad cable,+ wiring ends,... A Tiny bit of Corrosion is All it takes...
That little red box fuse Don has pictured is also a likely culprit,...

 

[imported_andrew smith]

Re: 3L Merc won't start

Chiroken, check to see that your lanyard switch is in "RUN". Happened to me one time.