Starting and wiring issue

[Perkins2652]

Here's my problem just bought a boat I have no clue about them I want to start it I hooked up a battery turn the key and nothing happens. It's a merc 260 hp the coil wire gets hot with the key to the on position engine serial number is 5900901 looked in forums I found no answer yet

 

[Don S]

Re: Starting and wiring issue

Those serial numbers are really too old to help much. It puts it between 78 and 82.
Here is what I need to know to help you.
Sounds weird, but what color are the wires going to the coil.
Second do you have an ammeter or voltmeter on the dash?

 

[Perkins2652]

Re: Starting and wiring issue

Yes I have a volt meter it also has a hour meter aftermarket the wires on top positive is blue with yellow stripe and red the neg is black,green, brown the boat is a 1981 sea ray original engine

 

[Don S]

Re: Starting and wiring issue

What color are the two small wires coming out of the distributor, don't count the wire coming out of the center of the cap.

 

[Perkins2652]

Re: Starting and wiring issue

There is only one wire coming from the distributor that's black goes to the neg of the coil

 

[Don S]

Re: Starting and wiring issue

Here are a couple of files that should help you get it running.
This is the wiring diagram from the manual (why I needed all the odd information). Should show you what the wiring should be like.

View attachment #3 Engines All 78-84 403r1.pdf

Here is a starting system test as well. The slave solenoid may look different, but your's should have the same terminals.

View attachment Troubleshooting a mercruiser 470 Starting system rev2.pdf

 

[Perkins2652]

Re: Starting and wiring issue

Thanks I have some of that already can't find diagrams on the other side of the harness plug

 

[Don S]

Re: Starting and wiring issue

Here is the instrument panel.

View attachment #3 Engines All 78-84 432.pdf

 

[Perkins2652]

Re: Starting and wiring issue

Here is the instrument panel.

View attachment 203015

That helps but still not doing anything I just bought a starter solenoid and a slave solenoid going to install that and see if it works it does have dual battery's which I only have one at the moment I don't think that would do anything idiots before me installed a radio and put the power wires to the tach instead of buying a buss bar so I uninstalled that I haven't found anything else. I have no clue if there is a fuse panel somewhere else the only fuse panel I see is the ones for the horn bilges and the wipers and stuff like that I'm ready to pour gas on the boat and light it its my first and probably last I haven't even got it on the open water yet lol

 

[Don S]

Re: Starting and wiring issue

I just bought a starter solenoid and a slave solenoid going to install that and see if it works

Why are you buying parts? Were the old ones bad? I gave you step by step instructions on how to test the cranking system, did you even look at it and read it?

 

[Perkins2652]

Re: Starting and wiring issue

Why are you buying parts? Were the old ones bad? I gave you step by step instructions on how to test the cranking system, did you even look at it and read it?

Yes it helped alot I bought parts that I believed to be what I needed the new parts worked I got it to crank not start yet I think it needs a new coil put gas in the carb didnt start so new coil time I did how ever nuke my battery I was going to buy a couple new ones any ways I had the charger too high and melted the terminal lol so least I know that the engine cranks