Starting not going well

S

shuizen

New Member
May 30, 2010
50
Dallas
Boat Info
1999 Sundancer 270
Engines
7.4L Mercruiser w/ Bravo III Drive
While trying to winterize I found that my starter had gone out since September. Now that that is replaced I got half a crank in and the 90 amp fuse on the starter popped. I have 2 replacements on the way. I have verified I got the wires back on correctly.

Any ideas why the fuse went?
 
What were the indications that your starter was bad? Could be several other problems... maybe hydro-locked?
 
Did the motor seem to turn OK? Too much pressure from a seized motor would do it.
 
I'd pull the spark plugs before you try to crank over again. See if it cranks ok with the plugs out.
 
Bt Doctur said:
starter`s and their cables dont have fuses . Need more info.
Click to expand...

some boat starters do have fuses down on the solenoid.

Remove the plugs and try turning it over by hand with a socket wrench. Make sure all the grounds and hots are good and clean and tight and the batteries are fully charged.
 
Nope, the 90A or 110A plastic block you see either supplies power to the main system thru the red button circuit breaker or is the feed from the alt. back into the battery or the feed to the trim pump.
 
I'm thinking a starter draws several hundred amps during operation... typically not fused.
 
A typical setup is shown here
 

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shuizen said:
While trying to winterize I found that my starter had gone out since September. Now that that is replaced I got half a crank in and the 90 amp fuse on the starter popped. I have 2 replacements on the way. I have verified I got the wires back on correctly.

Any ideas why the fuse went?
Click to expand...

Mine blew for some unknown reason about 8 months ago. Luckily I was getting fuel at a marina and there was a mobile mechanic there working on another boat. He replaced and haven't had any problem since. THat thing is very difficult to get at.
 
I ordered the fuse and am waiting for it. I bought 2 and will give it a try to see if the fuse was just worn out, then diagnose further.

To determine the starter was out I ruled out everything else, except a seized engine. Then I pulled the starter and took it for testing where they verified its untimely departure. The fuse is easy to diagnose. I used an ohm meter from one side to the other and the reading told me they were not connecting.

Regarding the very clear diagram above - my red wire was on the same side of the fuse as the red/purple wire. I assume it has been that way since 1999. I do not have a purple/yellow wire. The service diagram I had with me was not nearly as clear and useful.
 
The red wire(main bayyery cable) goes directly to the large solenoid lug , the red/purple is the main system power and goes thru the fuse to the large solenoid lug.. If your saying the red and red/purple are tied toghther "above " the fuse pictured, theres your problem.
 
I got the new fuses and installed one of them, using the preceding, very helpful, wiring diagram. The boat starts great now. Then I finished winterizing it and put it to bed until April.

Thank you for the help.

I still plan to install the auto trim this winter and polish it real nice.
 
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