rectifier smoking

[knobby]

15 hp Evinrude 86 model, started to crank up this am and the purple wire from the terminal block to the rectifier got super hot and burned the coat off. I had previously cleaned all connections and it was starting fine til today. Pull crank works fine, starter not getting hot or anything. Once again, what happened? Thanks

 

[Hooty]

Re: rectifier smoking

"purple wire from the terminal block to the rectifier"<br /><br />Hummm.<br />To answer your question, the reason the wire smoked is because it's a hot wire that got grounded.<br />Do you have a wiring diagram for that thang? Usually purple wires are switched 12vdc. They're only hot when the ignition switch is "on". Where does the wire go from the terminal block, besides the rectifier? Have you checked the rectifier to see if all the somke got out of it?<br /><br />c/6<br />Hooty

 

[knobby]

Re: rectifier smoking

thanks Hooty,<br />Yeah, it's a push button starter switch. When I pushed it, the connection at the terminal block where the purple wire from the rectifier connects to the hot lead coming in to the terminal just started frying. I can't find any place where it might be grounded. Is it possible something inside the rectifier might be shorted out and grounded causing the wire to fry? thanks again<br />Knobby

 

[knobby]

Re: rectifier smoking

Hooty, thanks again, I located the short, repaired and it's fixed. Was shorted on the terminal block behind the rectifier.<br />Knob

 

[Hooty]

Re: rectifier smoking

Good for ya Knobby. Thanks for comin' back and telling us.<br /><br />c/6<br />Hooty