4.3 Mercruiser stern drive won't crank or even click

[Jvanlue]

Have a 95 Bayliner. Great little boat. Spent all summer on it. Haven't had it in the water for about 2 months (michigan) went to start it to winterize, nothing. I put a trickle charger on the battery for 3 days, still nothing. The trim works but no other electronics are working. About a month ago, I noticed it had quit a bit of water in it because we forgot to take the plug out. Starter may have been under eater. I tried jumping the solenoid, nothing. I found the starter, which is in a terrible spot, and it's very corroded. However, it was running very well all summer long.

Any help is appreciated!

Thabkvyou

 

[achris]

Check the 90 amp guess on the top of the starter...
(Hint: fit a bilge pump with an automatic float switch)

 

[QBhoy]

Chris has great advice above, but forgive me for asking if you have the lanyard cut off switch enabled or if it’s in gear ? Both will stop it starting.
Perhaps not as simple a fix, but who can blame me for trying !

 

[achris]

Chris has great advice above, but forgive me for asking if you have the lanyard cut off switch enabled or if it’s in gear ? Both will stop it starting.
Perhaps not as simple a fix, but who can blame me for trying !

This statement right here....

... I tried jumping the solenoid, nothing. ...

If the lanyard was out or it was in gear, it would crank on the solenoid...

 

[alldodge]

Not about jumping solenoid

If the kill switch was activated the motor would crank with the key, it just would not start

 

[Walt T]

Corroded starter.. bad news. I've see automobile cables used on boats which isn't good since they tend to have steel lugs and they rust badly. However, Starters are like cats... they hate being dunked in water

 

[Jvanlue]

I checked the kill switch, it's not engaged. I think I'm going to have to go with a new starter but not sure how because it's in such a difficult spot to reach.

Would a bad starter tho effect all my other electronics?

 

[Bt Doctur]

Your main power comes from the starter lug where the battery cable connects. It may or may not use the 90A fuse bloc.
When starters get wet with the battery still hooked up and on, corrosion starts immediately

 

[Jvanlue]

Here is my starter, in all it's corroded glory. I think I'm going to have to call a professional to come replace as it's in a spot I can't get to.

 

[Scott Danforth]

if you can take a picture of it, you can reach it.

by the corrosion, my guess is you boat in salt water.

 

[Jvanlue]

I had to reach my phone through a hole to snap that pic. Fresh water that I know of.

 

[Walt T]

I have become adept at holding starters and starting the bolt threads with one hand.

 

[Jvanlue]

Ok so I replaced the starter... That was fun. So now only the slave solenoid is clicking. I check and double checked my connections on the starter. I have 3 power cords going to the big stud on the starter. I have a purple and yellow smaller wire going to the smaller stud. I wire nutted the yellow/purple wires together and put them on one connector.

Battery is fully charged. I tried jumping the slave solenoid with a screwdriver but nothing happens. I used my meter checker to test the slave solenoid. I have 12.7 on the left terminal. When I turn the key, 10 or 11 jumps to the left terminal. Click is definitely coming from the solenoid. Seems like starter isn't getting power. Please help!

 

[Jvanlue]

Forgot to mention, trim quit working also. Weird because that was the only electronics working before I changed my starter

 

[alldodge]

Forgot to mention, trim quit working also. Weird because that was the only electronics working before I changed my starter

The trim is connected to the top starter post, but also has a 20 amp fuse on the trim pump. I see only 2 wires on top post, there should be 3, but also should have 90 fuse

The yellow/red wire goes on the small terminal on the right side of the starter

 

[Jvanlue]

There are three on top post, you just can't see the third in the pic. I will move the yellow wire to the other terminal. Thank you!

 

[Jvanlue]

Where would I find the 20 amp fuse on the trim pump or the 90 amp fuse?

 

[alldodge]

The 20 amp would fuse is the square item under the rubber boot on the left

 

[Jvanlue]

Ok so I rewired the starter and it's trying to crank but making a horrible grinding noise now. Engine cranks but won't turn over. It was not making this noise before

 

[Bt Doctur]

Dodge , thats the main 90A feed under the boot, a 20A is in the black rubber connector with a red wire on each end.