No power to starter

yimmyb

Seaman
Joined
Feb 22, 2017
Messages
53
1980 Mercruiser 260. I have power to the red wire on the key switch when the battery is on. I have power to the purple wire on the key when key is in run position only, not start.. There is no power to the yellow/red wire in start mode.
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
Staff member
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Jul 23, 2011
Messages
50,597
the yellow wire with the red stripe starts at the key switch, goes thru the neutral safety switch on your control handle, then to the connector at the motor, then to the pilot relay for the starter, then to the starter.

find out where you are loosing voltage.
 

Bt Doctur

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Aug 29, 2004
Messages
19,388
if you mean no power to the the yellow/red when you turn the key to start, then you have a bad switch
 

yimmyb

Seaman
Joined
Feb 22, 2017
Messages
53
I now have 12 volts to the starter slave solenoid via the yellow wire with a red stripe. The starter still has no power and won't turn over.
 

Bondo

Moderator
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Apr 17, 2002
Messages
71,208
The starter still has no power and won't turn over.

Ayuh,...... The starter's solenoid is the next stop in the yellow/ red excite circuit, also a yellow/ red wire,.......

It's the inboard tiny terminal on the top of the starter,......
 

tank1949

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Apr 4, 2013
Messages
1,911
I now have 12 volts to the starter slave solenoid via the yellow wire with a red stripe. The starter still has no power and won't turn over.

manually jump starter to determine if starter has gone bad. Be sure to disconnect coil wire first. Usually, not having all grounded wires GROUNDED is the culprit. I destroyed a starter drive and ring gear due to poor voltage/amps going to starter via helm switch/breaker. Salt water had corroded breaker internally over years.
 
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