guages stay up when ignition is off

[Captcheetah]

I have been having trouble with intermittent starting on my '88 5.7 Mercruiser (Renken 2000). It either starts or it does absolutely nothing, no clicking, chatter nothing. After looking through my manual I notice that these starting systems have an assist solenoid before the stater solenoid, just like my Mustang. I had the same thing happening on my Mustang, changed the assist solenoid and it haven't had a problem since.<br /><br />However, my second problem relates to the fact that with my ignition on, not starting position, my tach goes to 1,000 and the other gauges all rise a bit, including the oil pressure. The tach seems to function fine once the engine is started. What would be causing the guages to react this way? Is my starting issue likely related to the ignition switch instead of an assist solenoid?

 

[Rhadley]

Re: guages stay up when ignition is off

Check continuity across the switch terminals with the key on and then in start position. (Disconnect wires first). On should be open and start should be a short. Might try cleaning connection also. <br /><br />As far as guages powering up with the key on, that is supposed to happen since by turning the key on you put them in the operating mode. The tach is another question. Mine seems to have a tuning screw on it to adjust it, but I've never used it. Maybe you have to set it for "0" with the key on.

 

[Captcheetah]

Re: guages stay up when ignition is off

The only bad thing about an intermittent problem is that testing is very hard. Seems like every time I step into the boat with the meter, it will hit everytime. I think I need three meters to set one on each area, ignition (front side of assist solenoid), assist solenoid (back side of assist solenoid), and starter solenoid, so that when it doesn't hit, I will know in one scoup where the problem lies.<br /><br />The tack is another story, even after I pull the key completely out, it will stay at 1,000 rpms. This one has me a little more confused.

 

[Rhadley]

Re: guages stay up when ignition is off

Check the back for a place to set it with a screwdriver.

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: guages stay up when ignition is off

Capt, Sounds like you have a bad ground somewhere.Not easy to find.On your motor flywheel housing there is a stud that has ground leads.Clean them and make sure they are tight.The battery cable itself may be corroded internally,and need replacing.You can also make a jumper lead to the ground terminals on your gauges,and see if that's the problem.<br />DHP

 

[rodbolt]

Re: guages stay up when ignition is off

hello<br /> with key on power the tach should zero. dont adjust anything, with key off the needle will normally drift. test for 12v at the purple and black wires.<br /> good luck and keep posting

 

[LabradorBoy]

Re: guages stay up when ignition is off

Originally posted by Captcheetah:<br /> I have been having trouble with intermittent starting on my '88 5.7 Mercruiser (Renken 2000). It either starts or it does absolutely nothing, no clicking, chatter nothing. After looking through my manual I notice that these starting systems have an assist solenoid before the stater solenoid, just like my Mustang. I had the same thing happening on my Mustang, changed the assist solenoid and it haven't had a problem since.<br /><br />However, my second problem relates to the fact that with my ignition on, not starting position, my tach goes to 1,000 and the other gauges all rise a bit, including the oil pressure. The tach seems to function fine once the engine is started. What would be causing the guages to react this way? Is my starting issue likely related to the ignition switch instead of an assist solenoid?

Captcheetah, coud you send me a pic or two of your boat? I also have a Renken 2000 and I'm looking to see what other people's boats look like, I have some upgrades planned for mine this summer. I can imagine yours can boogie with that 5.7L V8, I have the small 3.0L I-4 in mine.<br /><br />Thanks!<br /><br />-Rob<br />robpilgrim@hotmail.com

 

[Captcheetah]

Re: guages stay up when ignition is off

Now I am getting intermittent function on the tilt/trim. It started with the trim down, now it is slowing spreading to the rest of the trim and tilt buttons. With all the electrical problems all being intermittent I am becoming a bigger believer in the bad ground theory.<br /><br />Are there any other common circuits besides ground for the ignition and tilt/trim? Or is it possible all my solenoids are vacationing at once?<br /><br />Are there other possibilities than below?<br /><br />Ignition - ignition switch, assist solenoid, starter solenoid, starter, bad ground<br /><br />Tilt/trim - switch, solenoid, pump, bad ground

 

[Captcheetah]

Re: guages stay up when ignition is off

Bad trim limit switch - one down one to go.<br /><br />Is it ok to by-pass the limit switch? the good and bad, ok I know the good what about the bad?

 

[Captcheetah]

Re: guages stay up when ignition is off

never mind found f15guy's thread dealing with the same issue.

 

[Skipster1]

Re: guages stay up when ignition is off

If the main ground - battery neg post to engine block - is bad then electrical power will seek another ground, sometimes back through your circuits and gauges, and that could be messing up your trim and gauges. <br />You shouldn't have to redo each connection. First, get another ground cable and hook it from battery neg to another, clean part of the engine block.<br />Start the engine and see if things are now functioning properly. <br />If not .. go ahead with you step-by-step trouble shooting.

 

[JB]

Re: guages stay up when ignition is off

Moving to Electrics.

 

[jsmcc]

Re: guages stay up when ignition is off

Captcheetah <br />I had a very similar problem with a Merc 115 and Quicksilver Control. I had a loose ground wire from the ignition switch in the remote control case itself. Very intermittent problems with all of the electronics. I was looking for the problem and traced it to ground being removed from the gauges, I could turn the key on and off a couple of times and it would start working. Took the remote case apart and found a ground connection was just loose. Caution, taking the remote apart was easy, but putting the cams and springs back together was time consuming. Tach should go to zero with power applied and will float without power. Only worry about it when power is on.<br /><br />Jeff

 

[Peter J Fraser]

Re: guages stay up when ignition is off

Be careful on that tach. some of the modern electronic tach's 'freeze' at the rpm that the motor was running at when the switch was turned off. Not a problem, just the way the unit is made.<br />If it sets to zero when you turn the key back to ON again then dont worry.<br /><br />Peter

 

[Captcheetah]

Re: guages stay up when ignition is off

With the key in the on position everything (gauges) does what is is suppose to, so I am taking the advise to leave alone. <br /><br />I am still curious about my intermitten starting problem. The last couple of times out when I turn the key to start it hestitates for about .5 to 1 second before the starter spins. The other times it has not hit at all, but after a couple of tries will start. It has done it on the water only once, the rest of the times has been on the initial start-up when putting it in the water.<br /><br />How do you disable the safety (starts in gear)? This has been done if it had a safety to start with, which I assume it did. I am curious if when they disabled the safety the connection is now causing the problem.