Ignition / Starting problem

josh6092

Recruit
Joined
Sep 10, 2011
Messages
3
I have a 1995 Mercruiser 4.3Lx with an Aplha One outdrive. I met a mechanic for a ride along and the boat wouldn?t start. No power to the instruments and no buzzer. He said he jumped the purple to red wire at the starter solenoid and the boat fired up and ran fine. When I got it home it wouldn?t start again. I tried to jump the wires but only heard the fuel pump kick on nothing else. He recommended to change the starter thinking that the solenoid was bad. Put the new starter in and it fired up a few time at the house. Put it in the water and as I was idling out to the channel it died. No power to the instruments and no buzzer.
I have checked the voltage on the batteries, checked the battery switch, replaced or cleaned all the battery terminals, replaced grounding stud and terminals, checked the main harness and wiggled it around as well as the throttle, cleaned and replaced numerous other connections, and replaced all the fuses I?ve found. I replaced the slave solenoid and tried a new ignition switch.
I have power coming to the ignition switch, but when turned to the ignition spot I don?t have any power. However, if I remove the purple wire at the switch and turn the key I do have power going to the ignition post.
Today I jumped the oil pressure switch and nothing happened at first. With the oil pressure switch still jumped I then jumped the red to purple at the starter and the buzzer immediately sounded and with a turn of the key the boat cranked right up. However, with the solenoid jumped the boat won?t shut off at the ignition switch I had to turn off the battery or remove the jumper.
Do I have an issue with the oil pressure switch, possibly the starter solenoid, or a short in the purple ignition wire?
I apologize for the long paragraph, but I?m just trying to cover what I?ve tried. I appreciate your time and input. Thank you in advance!
 

cr2k

Captain
Joined
Mar 19, 2009
Messages
3,730
Re: Ignition / Starting problem

First thing is to clean and tighten ALL your connections.
 

Don S

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
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Aug 31, 2004
Messages
62,321
Re: Ignition / Starting problem

I have power coming to the ignition switch, but when turned to the ignition spot I don?t have any power.

That's confusing. If the wire is hooked up to the switch, you don't have power on that terminal on the switch or you don't have power to the coil?
The purple wire goes through the lanyard kill switch and several connections before it gets to the + terminal of the coil. You need to trace the purple wire with a meter and determine where the power stops.
 
Joined
Mar 8, 2011
Messages
18
Re: Ignition / Starting problem

I have the exact same problem going on with mine!!!! It started last week. I took my light tester and tested eerywhere on that purple wire all the way to the coil itself and no power with key on or in start position and checked every fuse and reset button and still nothing!!! I dont know whatelse to do....I dont know when my buddy hooked up the wires to the starter if he maybe hooked up one wrong or somethng but the starter cranks and cranks and is brand new, so i dont know. Any ideas would be great. thanks
 

Bondo

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Staff member
Joined
Apr 17, 2002
Messages
71,381
Re: Ignition / Starting problem

I have the exact same problem going on with mine!!!! It started last week. I took my light tester and tested eerywhere on that purple wire all the way to the coil itself and no power with key on or in start position and checked every fuse and reset button and still nothing!!! I dont know whatelse to do....I dont know when my buddy hooked up the wires to the starter if he maybe hooked up one wrong or somethng but the starter cranks and cranks and is brand new, so i dont know. Any ideas would be great. thanks

Ayuh,... Unfortunately, this is josh6092's thread, 'bout His boat, 'n problem....

Start a thread of yer own, 'bout Yer boat, 'n it's problems...
Then We'll help you...;)
I have power coming to the ignition switch, but when turned to the ignition spot I don?t have any power. However, if I remove the purple wire at the switch and turn the key I do have power going to the ignition post.
Welcome Aboard josh,...
Is there power comin' Outa the keyswitch,..??
Where does it stop,..??

Ya lost me with this part...
 

josh6092

Recruit
Joined
Sep 10, 2011
Messages
3
Re: Ignition / Starting problem

Thanks for the replies and the welcome aboard. I've been trying to read up on threads and I'm a big fan of this site.
At this point I'm still confused myself. I don't fully understand the path of power through the system.
With the battery switch on I took a test light to the key switch and tested for power. I have power at the red w purple stipe (battery) wire and terminal at the key switch. When I turn the key to the ignition postition I don't have any power to the purple wire. Just out of curiosity I unplugged the purple wire from the key switch and then with the key turned I had power to the key switch ignition post.
I hope that clarifies it a little better, instead of being more confusing.
 
Joined
Mar 8, 2011
Messages
18
Re: Ignition / Starting problem

Got it fixed Bondo!!! No thanks to you. I was letting Josh know that I had the same problem and was telling everybody including him of the steps that I did as well. Also if you look I did start a post a day before he did! Josh , good luck buddy!
 
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