I have a mercruiser serial number 0F598365 in a ‘96 Searay where the electrical isn’t reaching the panel. When I put a remote starter switch on the starter, I get one solid click, but the engine doesn’t turn. I have 2 batteries with fresh charges. I ran it for a couple hours today, but it died on the way back to the dock. Where should I start looking?
On the starter itself? On the starter motor solenoid? On the starter motor relay?
Start at the starter motor itself. Jumper battery power and ground directly to the starter motor. Using suitable sized battery cables. Does the starter motor now crank the main motor? If not, it is the starter motor.
If the starter motor being powered directly cranks the motor, try applying battery power to the starter motor solenoid. Does the starter motor now crank the motor? If not, it is the solenoid. Or battery power to the solenoid. Check battery voltage at the starter motor solenoid pre and post activation of the solenoid. If the battery voltage plummets from say 12.7 volts to much lower, fix the battery cable problem.
If starter motor solenoid being powered directly causes the starter motor to crank the main motor, move back to the starter motor relay. If the relay does not provide battery power to the solenoid, and battery voltage to the relay is confirmed, fix the relay. Or wiring from the relay to the solenoid.