Go Back  Offshoreonly.com > Technical > Electronics
Ignition breaker keeps popping >

Ignition breaker keeps popping

Notices

Ignition breaker keeps popping

Old 09-04-2018, 08:19 AM
  #1  
Registered
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Port Deposit Md
Posts: 523
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Ignition breaker keeps popping

This just started on the last trip. The starboard ignition breaker pops when the key is turned to the "Run" position not "Start" within 1-3 seconds. The breaker will reset in a minute or two. If I pass straight thru the start up sequence it may or may not click the starter over. The Port side is working fine. I have since replaced both of the ignition switches with new ones and swapped the ignition breaker from port to starboard and starboard to port and the starboard still pops. It has become an issue slowly in the last few outings that the starboard side would not crank or rather engage the starter. At first I thought maybe it was the shifter lever neutral switch. But wiggling lever never really helped it just finally engage the starter when I kept trying to start it. I'm a little embarrassed by this part but I ran the starboard fuel tank empty on the last trip and after refueling it took 8 -10 cranking sequences to restart the engine. I waited between starts but could the starter have been the initial problem and repeated start attempts "cooked" it? The starter is only 1-1/2 years old. Or are there other things I should look at? Thanks in advance.
fordf350 is offline  
Old 09-04-2018, 08:59 PM
  #2  
Registered
 
Tinkerer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: ALTO, MI
Posts: 4,612
Received 7 Likes on 6 Posts
Default

IF you are talking about the red 50 amp push button breaker.
Your alternator may be shorted out.
Remove the big red wire from the back of the alternator and see if the breaker stays in.
Tinkerer is offline  
Old 09-06-2018, 08:45 AM
  #3  
SORE MEMBER
Platinum Member
 
Wobble's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: 29°50'49.74"N 95° 5'17.55"W.......TEXAS
Posts: 6,989
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

^^^^^^^^^^^ Check your engine grounds and open up the plugs in the mercruiser harness and inspect for corrosion. Starter solenoid may be shorting also.
Wobble is offline  
Old 09-07-2018, 08:17 PM
  #4  
Registered
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Port Deposit Md
Posts: 523
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Tinkerer
IF you are talking about the red 50 amp push button breaker.
Your alternator may be shorted out.
Remove the big red wire from the back of the alternator and see if the breaker stays in.
The breaker in question is the black rubber one right next to the ignition key. But I may try the alternator wire thing. And its not the starter solenoid I swapped out the starters today. I guess all the little connectors are next. I hate chasing electrical gremlins.

Last edited by fordf350; 09-07-2018 at 08:21 PM.
fordf350 is offline  
Old 09-08-2018, 07:09 AM
  #5  
Registered
iTrader: (1)
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: KY
Posts: 4,089
Received 465 Likes on 361 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by fordf350
The breaker in question is the black rubber one right next to the ignition key. But I may try the alternator wire thing. And its not the starter solenoid I swapped out the starters today. I guess all the little connectors are next. I hate chasing electrical gremlins.
That's the 20 amp ignition breaker, so this can be many things. Any of your gauges for that side and any or the engine powered items (fuel pump, coil, relays, alternator, etc). Don't know what motor, but if it has an electric fuel pump listen for it to power up, then if EFI pull the relays one at a time.
AllDodge is offline  
Old 09-08-2018, 10:07 AM
  #6  
Registered
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Port Deposit Md
Posts: 523
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Its a 2000 Fountain w/500 EFIs. I have pulled the wires from the alternator and there is no change. I did notice that the "alarm" or "start signal" comes on the Port but not the Starboard side. Where are the relays that you are referring to?
fordf350 is offline  
Old 09-08-2018, 11:40 AM
  #7  
Registered
iTrader: (1)
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: KY
Posts: 4,089
Received 465 Likes on 361 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by fordf350
Its a 2000 Fountain w/500 EFIs. I have pulled the wires from the alternator and there is no change. I did notice that the "alarm" or "start signal" comes on the Port but not the Starboard side. Where are the relays that you are referring to?
With the alarm not coming on, pull the purple wire off, it should be behind the helm. If the alarm shorts out it will also pop the breaker. The relays are on top the motor, they look like small square cubs about 1.5 inch square
AllDodge is offline  
Old 09-08-2018, 12:58 PM
  #8  
Registered
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Port Deposit Md
Posts: 523
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by AllDodge
With the alarm not coming on, pull the purple wire off, it should be behind the helm. If the alarm shorts out it will also pop the breaker. The relays are on top the motor, they look like small square cubs about 1.5 inch square
I have alot of purple wires. Do you mean the dark red with a white stripe? But now that you have mentioned it the fuel pump is not coming on. But before I start pulling pumps is there a breaker or fuse for the pump?
fordf350 is offline  
Old 09-08-2018, 01:03 PM
  #9  
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
iTrader: (6)
 
F-2 Speedy's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Midwest & T-Rock
Posts: 10,388
Received 3,029 Likes on 1,347 Posts
Default

look for a connector with a grey/black cap on it back by the distributor, pull the cap and there should be three fuses , one is the fp fuse, pretty sure its the same one as the 502 mpi
F-2 Speedy is offline  
Old 09-08-2018, 01:11 PM
  #10  
Registered
iTrader: (1)
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: KY
Posts: 4,089
Received 465 Likes on 361 Posts
Default

Yes, the purple wire comes from the key switch to every, gauge, alarm, ECM, ALT everything that gets turned on. The alarm is small, about the size of a quarter (round) and about a 1/2 thick and is usually black. Alarm has one purple wire and the other side is a Tan/Blue wire. The Red/White is not what your looking for.
AllDodge is offline  

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.