Clean electrical connections?

[GlastronJohn]

I have recently purchased an 88 Glastron with a mercruiser 3.0 and I need to get it running. I have checked various connections and most have a light coating of rust on them. I am getting a slow turnover and sometimes the starter solenoind just clicks. I know I need a bigger battery (using a wal mart 875 Yellow one) or a second one but I need to get things cleaned up while I work on the floor replacement. Any tips would help. Tried the wire brush thing where I could but what about the smaller ones?

 

[JB]

Re: Clean electrical connections?

If the 875 in good condition and with a full charge wont do the trick, nothing will. <br /><br />You probably have a corroded cable or a dirty connection in the high current starter circuit. Measure battery voltage with the starter engaged. It shouldn't fall below about 9 volts. If it does you have a bad battery.<br /><br />Measure the voltage from the starter hot terminal to the block with the starter engaged. It should not be below 1.5 volts less than battery voltage. If it is, you have a bad circuit. If it measures battery voltage and you still get slow turnover, you have a bad starter or a siezing engine.<br /><br />Measure the voltage from one side to the other of every connection starting from the + battery post and going to the - battery post. No connection should measure more than .5v with the starter engaged. <br /><br />Still no luck? Now measure voltage from one end to the other of each battery cable and the heavy cable from the solenoid to the starter. No cable should "drop" more than .3v.<br /><br />Good luck and let us know the results.

 

[GlastronJohn]

Re: Clean electrical connections?

Thanks for the response, I am going to go through this procedure today. I guess I should have been more clear on my actual question. <br /><br />What can I use to clean the connections? <br /><br />I have a shop manual and this thing looks as easy to work on as my 76 Jeep (but cleaner =) Just loooking for tips. Thanks.<br />JF

 

[flashback]

Re: Clean electrical connections?

if your boat has been in the salt environment since 88, then most likely the wiring is not in the best of condition. if it were me, i would probably just replace the wiring with new.