Lost Power to 4.3 Mercruiser...Please Help!!

[nmorey40]

I recently changed out my ignition switch and negative battery cable on my 4.3 Mercruiser Thunderbolt ignition. When I was replacing the battery cable I noticed a wire that was not connected to anything (Pictures below) It was beside the starter solenoid. I wasn't anywhere close to the solenoid so I gave it no thought. The boat started up just fine. I then shut off the boat and went back to see if I could find where the wire went. I am not sure what I touched but the wire tip smoked for a brief second and that was it. When I went back to try and start the engine there was nothing. Not even the annoying beeping you hear when you first turn the key. It was like I blew a fuse or something....there was no power at all. All my accessories were working fine but nothing happened when I turned the key.

I am beyond frustrated...Please help!!!

1. What could this be?
2. Could the wire have touched the solenoid and burned it up so how?
3. What could the loose wire be too?

Thank you in advance for all your help.

Nick

 

[nmorey40]

[h=2]I recently changed out my ignition switch and negative battery cable on my 4.3 Mercruiser Thunderbolt ignition. When I was replacing the battery cable I noticed a wire that was not connected to anything (Pictures below) It was beside the starter solenoid. I wasn't anywhere close to the solenoid so I gave it no thought. The boat started up just fine. I then shut off the boat and went back to see if I could find where the wire went. I am not sure what I touched but the wire tip smoked for a brief second and that was it. When I went back to try and start the engine there was nothing. Not even the annoying beeping you hear when you first turn the key. It was like I blew a fuse or something....there was no power at all. All my accessories were working fine but nothing happened when I turned the key. [/h]
I am beyond frustrated...Please help!!!

1. What could this be?
2. Could the wire have touched the solenoid and burned it up so how?
3. What could the loose wire be too?

Thank you in advance for all your help.

Nick

 

[Scott Danforth]

suggest you PM a mod to move this to the mercruiser forum.

as per the rules you agreed to, pictures wont show up until your 4th post

what year mercruiser?
did you pop the main breaker on the motor? or the ignition fuse?
as for the wire, what color is it. wiring colors is now standard

 

[GA_Boater]

Moved and merged!

You probably have popped a circuit breaker and/or a fuse, depending on your serial number

 

[nmorey40]

I'm not sure on the serial number. I live an hour away from the boat and I won't be out there until the weekend. The year is 2003.
I changed the ignition fuse and pressed the circuit breaker reset button, neither helped. Is there another circuit somewhere I need to check. If so where? The one I pressed was next to the solenoid.

Wire is black. 16 gauge

 

[nmorey40]

I honestly think it has to be a simple fix. I just don't know where to begin. I am considering replacing the solenoid in hopes that will fix it.

 

[nmorey40]

I have an old picture and based on what I can read I think my engine is:

-Serial Range Mercruiser 4.3L CARB ALPHA/BRAVO - 0M615000 THRU 0W300012