Mercruiser 3.0L engine wont crank

[Wittser29]

Hey, I have a alpha one 3.0 litre mercruiser I have replaced all the spark plugs, new oil filter, new oil, and new fuel filter.I also have a new 12v marine battery. So what is happening is when I turn the key on I get power to my gauges and all my accessories work, blower bilge light etc.... and when I try to turn the engine on nothing happens no starter noise or clicking it wont turn over or anything. Any suggestions to what I should check or do or buy? thanks

 

[fat fanny]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0L engine wont crank

Do you have a mater reset button mounted somewhere in the engine compartment? If so push and try again to start, Do you have 12v going to the starter? Check it! A simple test light and or multi meter will do. Go up into the stickies adults only @ the top of this forum for good trouble shooting tips to follow. Also make sure all of the electrical terminals are clean, lubed and tight!

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0L engine wont crank

HOW TO: Troubleshooting your engines starting system?/ 167035

 

[sweet addiction]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0L engine wont crank

Did you accidentally hit your safety(run/off) switch?

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0L engine wont crank

Did you accidentally hit your safety(run/off) switch?

Assuming you are referring to the lanyard safety kill switch, that is for ignition only, has nothing to do with the starter turning the motor.

 

[Wittser29]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0L engine wont crank

Do you have a mater reset button mounted somewhere in the engine compartment? If so push and try again to start, Do you have 12v going to the starter? Check it! A simple test light and or multi meter will do. Go up into the stickies adults only @ the top of this forum for good trouble shooting tips to follow. Also make sure all of the electrical terminals are clean, lubed and tight!

Yes I have checked and have 12v at the starter, but im not sure where to find the reset by the engine compartment or by the ignition I see some people have been calling it a breaker is this the same thing? And where would this be located. Thank you for your time and suggestions.

 

[sweet addiction]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0L engine wont crank

Assuming you are referring to the lanyard safety kill switch, that is for ignition only, has nothing to do with the starter turning the motor.

That is true! I forgot that the starter will crank.

 

[sweet addiction]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0L engine wont crank

Yes I have checked and have 12v at the starter, but im not sure where to find the reset by the engine compartment or by the ignition I see some people have been calling it a breaker is this the same thing? And where would this be located. Thank you for your time and suggestions.

Look for the red button above the starter.

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0L engine wont crank

If the circuit breaker on the engine was popped, there would be no power to the ignition switch to power the gauges.

 

[Wittser29]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0L engine wont crank

Look for the red button above the starter.

I didn't find the red button, all I have that is directly on top of my starter is the solenoid and then the engine block...

 

[achris]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0L engine wont crank

Make sure the remote control is in neutral. Check to see if you get power to the slave solenoid. Also check you are getting power out of the key when it's in the START position. Read through, and follow, Don's link... It's all in there.

Forget the red button. If that was popped, you wouldn't be getting power to the instruments.

 

[sweet addiction]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0L engine wont crank

I didn't find the red button, all I have that is directly on top of my starter is the solenoid and then the engine block...

Don S -If the circuit breaker on the engine was popped, there would be no power to the ignition switch to power the gauges.

Don S is right and maybe he could answer this...What if the wire harness is not fully connected(loose)?:noidea:

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0L engine wont crank

Don S is right and maybe he could answer this...What if the wire harness is not fully connected(loose)?:noidea:

That's the reason for the troubleshooting information. Saves time of just running in circles checking each item someone comes up.

 

[Wittser29]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0L engine wont crank

That's the reason for the troubleshooting information. Saves time of just running in circles checking each item someone comes up.

Alright guys I figured it out and cranking, first the reset red button was mounted behind the starter but it was facing the transom so facing backwards. Then I began to check that the throttle lever was in neutral (appeared to be) but when I pushed the lever all the way forward and try starting it low and behold it turned over. So a simple adjustment of the lever and got it in the ACTUAL spot for neutral. Now im just having trouble getting her started. I think it might be my coil because I have spark to all the spark plugs and also have gas going into the carb. Any ideas besides the coil that im going to replace??

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0L engine wont crank

I think it might be my coil because I have spark to all the spark plugs

If you have spark to all the plugs, why would you think the coil was bad???????? Makes no sense.

Do you use the throttle only position of the control, pump a time or two and give it about 1/4 throttle to start it? If you are trying to start it in neutral and idle like your EFI car, you will have problems.

 

[Wittser29]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0L engine wont crank

If you have spark to all the plugs, why would you think the coil was bad???????? Makes no sense.

Do you use the throttle only position of the control, pump a time or two and give it about 1/4 throttle to start it? If you are trying to start it in neutral and idle like your EFI car, you will have problems.

Well all the plastic is broke on top of the coil and im getting a very small spark so maybe its not getting enough spark from the coil? And I sprayed starting fluid into the carb but it didn't fire up. I also tried moving the throttle a couple pumps forward and back to neutral.

 

[Wittser29]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0L engine wont crank

Well guys thanks for all the help...but I found out something very bad today...the block is cracked so I don't know what im going to do now :grumpy: