Mercruiser V6 died underway, now no power at ignition switch

[jkimball]

I apologize for the duplicate post - I also posted in the electrical section. I’m just trying to find the right place so I can get some help. Please move or delete if not allowed

I have a ‘97 Regal Destiny with a Merc. 4.3, about a month ago I swapped intakes and carbs, did a tune up and replaced all cooling hoses. It’s ran beautifully since.

Yesterday as I was coming in the inlet from a long run, we lost all power and came to a stop. My initial fear was that something mechanical happened and I lost the motor. Popped the hatch to inspect and not the case, no oil in bilge, no water in oil and crank pulley isn’t seized. A good thing...

Made sure the ignition breaker wasn’t popped (didn’t seem to be) went back to the helm to see if she’d start and had no power at the switch. All my other accessories (bilge, blower, radio, lights etc.) all work - just zero power at the key.
I looked at the little fuse panel in the helm and didn’t see any blown fuses, nor did I see one for ignition. What am I missing?
Im lost on what it could be. Please help

I will say when I went back to the engine compartment I did smell an “electrical smell”
if that makes any sense at all

 

[Bt Doctur]

Could be a few things. Alt shorted out and blew the 90A fuse link a t the starter. Does your engine have the 14 to 9 pin adapter at the engine harness?
See if you have battery voltage at the alt output lead

 

[jkimball]

Could be a few things. Alt shorted out and blew the 90A fuse link a t the starter. Does your engine have the 14 to 9 pin adapter at the engine harness?
See if you have battery voltage at the alt output lead

Where is the fuse link at the starter at?
I replaced the starter last year, and I don’t recall seeing one.
here’s a pic of my current starter for reference

 

[alldodge]

The 90 amp fuse

 

[Bt Doctur]

If you have one it will have the Red (system power) and Orange together (alt output)

 

[jkimball]

The 90 amp fuse

Thanks!
Im not sure if the previous owner removed this years ago - but it doesn’t appear I have one of those... in the absence of this, what else should I consider?

 

[Bt Doctur]

If you do not have one them go to the 50A CB and check for power on both sides , then locate the slave solenoid and check for power on the Red/purple lug. If you have nothing ,see if you have an adapter plug on the engine harness, If your 50 CB does not have 12 gauge wire but 1 12 ga and 1 16 you have an adapter

 

[Bt Doctur]

do you have this

 

[jkimball]

do you have this

I just trailered it’s home, have to throw some ribs in the smoker for the kids then I will check.
where approximately would that be located?

 

[Bt Doctur]

stbd side of motor at the rear of the engine usually, just follow the main boat harness at the stern and see where it plugs into the motor. Just had one that was doing the same thing. The pins for the positive wire was vaporized both the male and female ends. The 14 pin side twists to unlock. See if you have 6 across the top and a 4 square in the center

 

[jkimball]

stbd side of motor at the rear of the engine usually, just follow the main boat harness at the stern and see where it plugs into the motor. Just had one that was doing the same thing. The pins for the positive wire was vaporized both the male and female ends. The 14 pin side twists to unlock. See if you have 6 across the top and a 4 square in the center

Thanks, I’ll double check it again.
I noticed today that there’s another breaker panel with two glass fuses near my dual batt switch.
pulled both of them, both were good. Reseated them and tried to push that breaker in - wouldn’t move so evidently not popped.
went to the other breaker and tried to push it - got a bit of an audible click, nothing substantial then went to the ignition switch, turned the key and al my gauges moved and depth sounder beeped... hit the key and she fired right up.

Not sure what to think... I swear I tried all of this other than pulling the two fuses yesterday while on the water and nothing. Now today she runs and I restarted her like 15 times zero issue

 

[alldodge]

If the one that clicked was your ignition breaker (usually 20 amp) then something is drawing more, or breaker is getting weak.

 

[jkimball]

If the one that clicked was your ignition breaker (usually 20 amp) then something is drawing more, or breaker is getting weak.

It was the one near the distributor/ignition module.
it wasn’t sticking out, and just barely made an audible click when I pushed.
what would cause it to pop IF that’s the case?

on amazon all I’m finding are 50A units

 

[alldodge]

Only think that causes a breaker to pop is to much current being drawn. That can be max rating or breaker getting weak and trips early

My previous comment was about this comment

went to the other breaker and tried to push it - got a bit of an audible click