2005 185 ignition short?

[cmassa]

My 2005 185 with 4.3L engine gave me some trouble over the weekend. I was throttling back to neutral to pick up a skier when the motor suddenly died. The blower was still working but the motor would not turn over when turning the key. The reset on the engine was not tripped but the ignition fuse was blown under the dash. I replaced it and it immediately blew the new one when I tried to start the motor. I tried to just bridge across the fuse so I could get back to the house but the engine would just crank and not start (I didn't do it more than a few seconds and gave up). Well, I had to get towed back in to shore and brought the boat home. Our only boat repair shop in town is booked for the next 5-6 weeks.

Any ideas where to look for the problem so I can try to fix it myself?

Thanks.

 

[cczaphod]

I suspect the starter is going out. I don't know if the solenoid is integral to the starter on Mercruiser, but most modern cars it is. I had that problem on my MG 30 years ago and it was the starter solenoid.

Not a definitive answer, but somewhere to look.

If you've got small kids look under the dash at the ignition wires. One of my kids thought it would be fun to put a penny in my SUV cigarette lighter last weekend, haven't tracked down the fuse yet, but all my cig lighters are out now (no radar detector). Maybe they learned something because they were out of luck with their Nintendo charger as well.

 

[Bozy]

I just had similar symptons on my brand new 185 Sport. It ended up being the large wiring harness connector on the starboard side of the boat. The dealer ended up cutting it out and splicing the wires directly together. After your boat is started, try wiggling the harness at the connection and see if you can get your boat to stall out. I hope this works for you!

 

[cmassa]

Well, we found it. After much searching and testing it was the alternator wires shorting against the exhaust manifold. They ran between the alternator and manifold in a small gap and eventually just rubbed though the insulation. The wires have been extended and run around the outside with a wire loom. Starts right up now!!