From bad to worse - HELP!!!

[ChrisS]

Hey everyone -

I have a 2003 - 2400 SC with a Mercruiser 5.0.

I knew I needed a new starter, so I got the replacement and put it in. Check battery voltage, 12.04 on each. No start! Checked and replaced the slave solenoid. No start! Thats the bad.

Now the worse - Suddenly, nothing works...nothing! I tried the blower, stereo and several other things. The only thing that works is the bilge.

I know it has to be a fuse SOMEWHERE...but where? Checked every fuse I can visually find and they are all good. So, any ideas? or do I just take it to a shop and pray it does not cost an arm and a leg.

Thanks
Chris

[Tomba]

Get yourself a test light or voltage meter. Check if power 'to' battery isolator switch post, and then 'from' batt switch posts ( switch needs to be on 'both' position. If voltage ok 'to' switch, but no voltage 'from' posts, the battery switch is bad. I believe the bilge pumps are wired directly to the battery. Everything else goes through the batt switch.

[mmwjr]

Could be that the fuse on the starter blew. It provides power to most things. First see if there is power at the 50 amp breaker on top of the engine. Look for round red button device. No power check the fuse on the starter. If power verify it’s on both sides. If it is check the connection of the 10 round connector of the engine to helm harness.

[shrew]

Originally Posted by ChrisS

Check battery voltage, 12.04 on each. No start!

12.04 is a dead battery.

[mmwjr]

Originally Posted by shrew

12.04 is a dead battery.

Good point if that’s the voltage at rest only. Voltage should be checked while trying to start.

[ChrisS]

Ok - let’s add to the BS.
Here is what I have done to the boat and what it does:

Brand new starter
Brand new 90 amp fuse
Brand new slave solenoid
Brand new 50 amp breaker
Batteries show 12-13 V

Turn the power on, turn the key and click, click, click. Jump the starter and spins but no engagement.

WTF?

[ChrisS]

What is the correct range?

[shrew]

Originally Posted by ChrisS

What is the correct range?

https://modernsurvivalblog.com/alter...-charge-chart/

IMHO anything below about 12.00 is dead. It shows well into the yellow section in the graph. But what happens is lights are dim, pumps are slow, 12v fridges shut off and frequently voltage takes a huge drop when something is powered on, like a pump.

A starter is HUGE draw.

[shrew]

Originally Posted by ChrisS

Turn the power on, turn the key and click, click, click. Jump the starter and spins but no engagement.

'clicking' sounds like a solenoid. Starter spinning but not engaging. Is the bendix engaging?

[ChrisS]

Originally Posted by shrew

https://modernsurvivalblog.com/alter...-charge-chart/

IMHO anything below about 12.00 is dead. It shows well into the yellow section in the graph. But what happens is lights are dim, pumps are slow, 12v fridges shut off and frequently voltage takes a huge drop when something is powered on, like a pump.

A starter is HUGE draw.

Just replaced both batteries and no change…same result. I have no accessories in this boat.

[mmwjr]

I would check the voltage at the starter while cranking. You may be getting a voltage drop through a loose/ corroded cable or bad battery switch.

[ChrisS]

Final post regarding this issue.
So, replaced the starter and went from 3 post through 4 post. Mechanic friend of mine had put the starter in initially yet he put the power from the slave to the R terminal instead of the S terminal. I changed it to the proper side and viola….started up instantly.

Note for people who make this really stupid mistake is to really pay attention and hook it up correctly.

Thanks to all the people that responded to my cry for help. Happy and safe boating everyone!!!

[mmwjr]

Enjoy the rest of the season.