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Strange Ignition issue with MerCruiser 350 MAG MPI

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dlevine2100

New member
This is with a 2007 Chaparral. Symptoms: I can start blower motor on battery switch on 1, 2, or both. If I try to start engine on battery 1 I don't hear start engine and battery appears dead. Switch battery 2 and engine starts no problem. Turn engine off, move switch to battery 1, I hear again blower motor but if I try to start engine, exactly same behavior as before (upon turning key it appears battery dies). The problem is not battery 1 since I physically switched the batteries but get same behavior when I try to start engine with switch on battery 1. And I checked voltages several times on both batteries with my multimeter and they were OK. So the problem is probably not the battery switch box (?) but I am guessing one of two other boxes: HI-AMP Buss 40A (with buttons for AUTO BILGE, STEREO MEMORY, MERC), or the other box "VSR VOLTAGE SENSITIVE RELAY MODULE". Any suggestions?

Thanks!!
 
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Thanks for your reply. I did not clean both ends, but the two terminals on the battery side looked clean. I think when I try to start the engine with the switch on Battery 1, something electrical trips and cuts the power from battery 1. When I start the engine with the switch on battery 2, whatever was tripped in the previous step, gets reset. By the way, once I try to start the engine on battery 1 and it becomes dead, changing the switch to battery 2, both, none, battery 1, etc., battery 1 remains dead. I have to start the engine with the switch on battery 2 or both before I can go back to battery 1 and have power again.

Thanks!
 
1) There isn't any circuit that "resets"... HOWEVER.... in apparent violation of the laws of physics, I've seen this kind of behavior with marginal electrical connections.
2) How are the grounds on the batteries connected? Each battery should have an individual direct-to-the-engine block, near the starter, connection.
3) "look clean" not good enough. Dismantle and wire brush vigorously.
4) Battery cables should be marine grade, not auto parts store specials, i.e. tin plated wire and lugs, not bare copper.
 
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Chaparral has known problems with the battery cable ends not being properly crimped or internally corroded.
Doubtful its a battery switch
 
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