Help, electrical problem!

[YmeHP]

Ok, I'm new to the whole boating thing and have a question I hope you can all answer. I've got an inboard Merc350 in my 88' Larson Senza. I changed out the starter yesterday but have a short somewhere. I do have power from the battery but the little wire that attaches to the starter is getting nothing. I traced the small wire up to a solenoid? just on top of the fuel filter and it is still dead there but all other wires are live. Is this solenoid? shot or am I missing something else? I'm sorry if this is a dumb question but I am trying to save as much coin as possible and trying to learn to do these things myself.
-Nick

 

[180shabah]

Re: Help, electrical problem!

See if this helps any

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Help, electrical problem!

Are you referring to the yellow/red wire?...
If so, jump across the two terminals....
Will the starter crank?.....
​

 

[YmeHP]

Re: Help, electrical problem!

Yes, that is the wire im talking about. The starter will turn over if I arc accross it.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Help, electrical problem!

You should have a red/purple, two yellow/red, 1 black, correct?
Jumper the yellow/reds & turn the key.....​

 

[YmeHP]

Re: Help, electrical problem!

I will run out and check again but I don't remember that many wires running to just the starter!

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Help, electrical problem!

The only time the yellow/red wire should have 12v is when the key is in the start position......
Not the starter, the soleniod.....​

 

[YmeHP]

Re: Help, electrical problem!

Yes, I've got all wires listed above plus a brown/white. They all have power but I don't have any help handy to check the red/yellow while the key is turned. Also, when turning the key the solenoid does "click".

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Help, electrical problem!

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=167035&highlight=Test+light

Here is a much more in depth diagnostic method, courtesy of Don S......​