More voltage issues. Now at fuel pump relay

gherkin · April 2020

Hi all,

So still trying to get all the bugs worked out on my recently purchased 2000 rinker 270. I recently solved a low voltage issue at the helm by running a new wire and now I am having a similar issue at the fuel pump relay. I have battery voltage to the pump relay until I turn the key on and then it drops down to 10 something and it’s not enough to kick the relay in. The relay just keeps tapping as it try’s to kick in. I’ve tried a new relay. It’s not the key switch as it is new and I have tested it. I have not had much time to troubleshoot it but does anybody have any ideas where to start? What sends the voltage to the relay when you turn the key on? Does it come from the ECM? Weird part is if I turn the engine over the fuel pump will kick in. Boats not running well but I think it may be because the fuel pump isn’t getting proper voltage.

Aqua_Aura · April 2020

Have you searched for the wiring diagrams for your boat? I was able to find mine in the forum for a 280. It sounds like you have an issue somewhere on the boat maybe with a grounding block or main relay given the other issues you have had. Also I wonder what you bypassed by running the wire straigt to the switch on your last issue. You would need to physically touch and clean the connections even if the look new it doesn't matter. One of my amp screws was loose about a 1/4 turn and I didn't find it till I started moving stuff around. I have also had grounding issues in the past where I just need to scrub off a little corrosion then screw the ground back down.

aero3113 · April 2020

Maybe corrosion on a pin for the main harness plug at the engine?

gherkin · April 2020

All. I finally got to the bottom of all my voltage issues. After hours of reading on both this issue and my previous issue with voltage at the helm I finally ran across a post on another forum where someone had the same issue. There is a 90 amp fuse down on the starter. I looked at this thing a few times and I thought it was just a terminal block. All was tight and I was getting 12 volts on both sides. But apparently with some draw on it it just wasn’t putting out proper voltage even though it appeared to be. Bypassed it as a test and all was good. So I did replace it and also put the original power line back to the helm. I have spent so much time on all these issues. So glad I finally got a resolution.

reneechris14 · April 2020

Nice to hear the problem solved

Willhound · April 2020

Happy you found it. Being a fellow 2000 owner I'm curious as to where this fuse is located? I was aware of the ones up on the engine block under the flame arrestor shroud and the reset/breaker, but on the starter? Is it inline or on the starter itself?