Merc 3.0 electrical problem

[creeks]

Going to be a little long, but please stick with me, I really need the help.

Boat has sat for about 8 months, cleaned it up getting it ready to put in the water. All fluids looking goof, fuel still good. Attached the muffs and went to crank it up, turned right over but wouldn't fire up. Checked spark, it was good. Pulled flame arrestor, carb is dry. Figured clogged fuel line. Pulled fuel filter under pump, in good shape, filter by carb in good shape. both were wet. Figured float on carb might be stuck, but by this time had drained battery to low.

Charged battery over night and put back in boat. Went to trim down to hook up muffs and trim switch stopped working. Pulled handle apart didn't see any issues, put it back together since my real issue is getting it running.

Hooked muffs up, turned on the blower to run for a couple minutes the turned the ignition. Instantly everything stopped like the breaker was tripped. I checked it, and it was fine. Thought it might have been the fuse on the starter. Didn't have anyway to check that, so started to put everything up for the night. After about 20 mins for the heck of it, I went and flipped the blower switch and it worked again??? Tried the ignition and same thing, all electrical power gone.

I'm at a loss now. I have no idea what would clear after about 20 mins. It has done this 4-5 times, all electrical comes back to life, but soon as I turn the ignition it kills everything.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[EddiePetty]

Re: Merc 3.0 electrical problem

....sounds like a corroded connection in the battery department!!!

Ya' got any gas in that boat??

 

[ziggy]

Re: Merc 3.0 electrical problem

when was the last time ya gave it a tune up?

i go through the wires that i can remove easy on my boat. i disconnect ea. wire and emery cloth them till shiny. connections get tarnish on them just sitting there. ya wouldn't believe the difference in looks between cleaned and not cleaned. this is after only one year of use. be sure and do the grounds too.

some boats have a square looking thing right at the positive terminal. this is a fuse. some don't too. like older ones.

Hooked muffs up,

ideally, ya don't wanna run your engine with the drive in the trailer condition.

turned on the blower to run for a couple minutes

ideally, ya run it for a min. of 4 min. uscg i believe now states 5 min. also do a sniff test in the bilge for fuel vapors prior to starting.

get a oem service manual for your rig. it'll be the best tool in the box. they usually have trouble shooting guides in them too...
speaking of trouble shooting guides. here's one from iboats that's real good that may be of interest to ya.. http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=288430 read #2...

 

[creeks]

Re: Merc 3.0 electrical problem

I'll look at it better this afternoon, but I don't believe it would be a fuse. A fuse wouldn't reset itself and allow for it to work again later. The heating up and cooling down fits, buts still doesn't make a lot of sense to me. I'll trace the cables from the battery for corrosion.

 

[K9Deuce]

Re: Merc 3.0 electrical problem

Sounds like a grounding issue. I have seen this many times. What I would do is take all the engine grounds off, clean the wire connecter and the area where it meets the engine block, also clean the bolt. Take a good look around the engine compartment for ground wires usually you will find a couple of different grounds. Use a small hand wire brush.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Merc 3.0 electrical problem

In addition to the above, your battery may just be shot. Not able to handle a load. Have it load tested at a local shop.

 

[creeks]

Re: Merc 3.0 electrical problem

Thanks for all the help. Ended up being a loose ground wire. Got that fixed then got it up and running.