4.3L Volvo SX blowing ingition fuse

[LAMOPAR]

I have an 02 Reniel with the 4.3L GM and Volvo SX stern drive. When I try and start the boat the ignition fuse continues to blow. I replaced the positive wire from the battery to the starter as one end was badly corroded. I did remove, clean, and replace the wire above and outside on the starter as well. It was the same color as feeds the coil so I took a chance. Any idea what I should be checking. I drag race and work on all forms of vehicles but have little experiance with the boat. I did replace the starter two years ago as I got a lot of salt water on the old unit. The battery is fully charged. Everything else on the boat is original from the day I bought it.

 

[havasuboatman]

Re: 4.3L Volvo SX blowing ingition fuse

It blows the fuse only when you turn the key to the start position? Or does it blow when you turn the key to the on position?

 

[LAMOPAR]

Re: 4.3L Volvo SX blowing ingition fuse

It blows the fuse when the switch is in the on position. If I get it to the start mode it will crank the engine over but soon after it goes back to run the fuse blows.

 

[Don S]

Re: 4.3L Volvo SX blowing ingition fuse

What is the full model number of this engine? Is it carbed or EFI? Even a SN would help.

 

[LAMOPAR]

Re: 4.3L Volvo SX blowing ingition fuse

It is a 4.3GL-A, Motor serial number 4012072585. It has a two barrel Holley carb. There is a distributor and coil not a distributorless ignition.

 

[Don S]

Re: 4.3L Volvo SX blowing ingition fuse

IF you just turn the key to the run position and do not try to start it, does the fuse blow.
Which fuse are you talking about. One on the engine or one under the helm?
Here's the wiring diagrams for your engine, may help.

http://www.4shared.com/file/55944245/14d260c/7743606_GL-_GS_A_thru_E_wiring_diagrams.html

 

[LAMOPAR]

Re: 4.3L Volvo SX blowing ingition fuse

Any time it spends more than ~1-2 seconds in the run position the ignition fuse under the helm blows. It is a 20 amp fuse. Yesterday I rotated the ingition switch to start quickly and the engine did turn over but when I released it and it went back to the run position the fuse blew.

 

[Don S]

Re: 4.3L Volvo SX blowing ingition fuse

Since you was working on the starter, do this. First check that the purple wire on the small terminal of the starter solenoid is not touching the case of the starter. If it is clear of everthing, disconnect it and move it out of the way and see if it still blows fuses.

 

[LAMOPAR]

Re: 4.3L Volvo SX blowing ingition fuse

With that wire disconected at the starter the fuse does not blow, the engine alarm works, and the engine will crank. I assume it would be the starter soleniod has failed. I assume the soleniod is a marine only item and I would not be able to purchase it from a parts store.

 

[Don S]

Re: 4.3L Volvo SX blowing ingition fuse

Are you sure that wire wasn't touching something. I really can't see how the solenoid could short the system out like that.

One thing you could try is take an ohm meter and see if you have continuity between the terminal on the solenoid where the wire was attached and ground. If you do have continuity, then the solenoid is bad. If no continuity, then I would be looking at that wire very closely.

 

[LAMOPAR]

Re: 4.3L Volvo SX blowing ingition fuse

That is exactly what I was doing and the wire shows grounding but the conection on the soleniod does not. I see it also conects to several other items in the harness. I thought I would remove each conection to see if I can remove the signal to ground to see if something else is grounded out. Is grounding of a wire in the harness a common item on a boat motor? Any suggestions on where to look for a problem? I have not worked on the starter in two years since I installed it. Last year when we backed it into the water the wife tried to start it once, then pumped the throttle a couple of times and it blew the fuse right after that point.

 

[Don S]

Re: 4.3L Volvo SX blowing ingition fuse

You aren't blowing the fuse with the other connections. So they aren't the problem. The alarm would show continuity to ground.

 

[LAMOPAR]

Re: 4.3L Volvo SX blowing ingition fuse

Well something was the fix but I did two things at once so I am not sure which. I moved the purple wire at the starter to a different angle and I noticed the purple wire at the trim gauge had shifted and the end was close to the ground wire. I could not see a burn mark but I moved it back up and now the boat is running. I have had problems with the trim gauge not reading corectly and from time to time not working over the past two or three years so I believe this was the ground point.
I could not have found it without the wiring diagram so your help was invaluable. A three year old thanks you your help as now he and I will go out on the lake today and try a little spring fishing.