2002 Merc 150 xr6 - Coil Issue? no it's the voltage regulator

[murraymk]

I just replaced my spark plugs and opened the fuse assembly and noticed the first 20amp fuse was blown. I tried putting in a new fuse but it arcs and the fuse blows immediately. All the connections look good.  I tried mutiple fuses with the same result. The engine starts up as normal, but does have a little shake to it...  I'm guessing the two 20amp fuses in this assembly are for the two coils, is that correct? The 5amp fuse goes to the trim.  Has anyone had this issue before?  Will replacing the coils fix this problem? 

UPDATE: it's not the coils, I finally figured out I am looking at the Voltage Regulator Rectifiers, I'm guessing one of them has gone bad. The other symptom is that my RPM gauge is not working. The OEM regulators I've found online are $295 each, but on Amazon the replacement part is closer to $25 to $30 each. 

What has been your experience using the off brand regulators?

[Donald Garner]

murraymk

Can't help you with your question.  I'm sure once the Mercury Guys see this they'll chime in.  Anyway I wanted to welcome you to the UltimateBass Family we're glad you're here.

Good luck in getting your situation fixed with your outboard.

When I have outboard issues I take it to my local marine dealership and they them work on.  I don't know the first thing about working on outboard engines.

[merc1997]

I just replaced my spark plugs and opened the fuse assembly and noticed the first 20amp fuse was blown. I tried putting in a new fuse but it arcs and the fuse blows immediately. All the connections look good.  I tried mutiple fuses with the same result. The engine starts up as normal, but does have a little shake to it...  I'm guessing the two 20amp fuses in this assembly are for the two coils, is that correct? The 5amp fuse goes to the trim.  Has anyone had this issue before?  Will replacing the coils fix this problem? 

UPDATE: it's not the coils, I finally figured out I am looking at the Voltage Regulator Rectifiers, I'm guessing one of them has gone bad. The other symptom is that my RPM gauge is not working. The OEM regulators I've found online are $295 each, but on Amazon the replacement part is closer to $25 to $30 each. 

What has been your experience using the off brand regulators?

[merc1997]

I just replaced my spark plugs and opened the fuse assembly and noticed the first 20amp fuse was blown. I tried putting in a new fuse but it arcs and the fuse blows immediately. All the connections look good.  I tried mutiple fuses with the same result. The engine starts up as normal, but does have a little shake to it...  I'm guessing the two 20amp fuses in this assembly are for the two coils, is that correct? The 5amp fuse goes to the trim.  Has anyone had this issue before?  Will replacing the coils fix this problem? 

UPDATE: it's not the coils, I finally figured out I am looking at the Voltage Regulator Rectifiers, I'm guessing one of them has gone bad. The other symptom is that my RPM gauge is not working. The OEM regulators I've found online are $295 each, but on Amazon the replacement part is closer to $25 to $30 each. 

What has been your experience using the off brand regulators?

the regulators you are calling off brand will be fine.  most likely they are the oem supplier to start with.  you want to replace both at the same time, and repair any burned wires or connections, and should be good to go.

bo

[Mike Cork]

Definitely looks like a regulator when the RPM gauge goes too, that's a pretty good sign.

Unfortunately I've had very poor luck with amazon parts for outboards. Either the connections will be wrong or they simply don't last. OEM is expensive and you can normally beat it, but when the amazon price is one tenth the OEM price you are probably not going to get what you need. However Amazon will take it back no questions asked.

[merc1997]

Definitely looks like a regulator when the RPM gauge goes too, that's a pretty good sign.

Unfortunately I've had very poor luck with amazon parts for outboards. Either the connections will be wrong or they simply don't last. OEM is expensive and you can normally beat it, but when the amazon price is one tenth the OEM price you are probably not going to get what you need. However Amazon will take it back no questions asked.

mike if you make sure the oem numbers match what is on the part, they should be fine.  this crap about be sure to get oem is just that.  there is no such thing.  most parts are subbed out to an outside source.  same thing goes on in the auto parts business.  you can go aftermarket and get the exact same part.  here is a case in point.  we were building a race engine for a customer.  he wanted us to order the pistons from gm.  i tried to tell him that trw made the gm pistons, but he was paying the bill.  the gm pistons were $50 higher each.  got the oem pistons in and they had trw stamped all over them.  in today's automotive world, federal mogul provides a ton of oem parts for any brand of car running on the road.  this would include engine parts and brake systems.  they used to do lots of the fuel systems, but sold that division.  federal mogul also owns anco wipers and champion spark plugs.

i bought a pair of rectifiers for my 200 efi, and i did buy them off amazon.  took them out of the package and they had mercury numbers on them.  they were a direct fit.  same size wires and connectors.  most likely this supplier was one of mercury suppliers to begin with.  there is hardly any part that is not outsourced and brought in for assembly.  that is just how it works.  manufactures want to brain wash people into buying the parts from them.  don't really blame them, but they did not make the part to begin with.

bo

[Mike Cork]

I don't disagree with you at all Bo. I've just had bad luck with Amazon. But as I said, they will take it back if it don't fit properly

Sounds like he might be okay ordering the Rectifier. 

[FD]

I agree with Bo.  The Triton rehab parts we almost exclusively Amazon delivered, but also oem suppliers.  Much, much cheaper than going through mercury marine.

CPF Lures Pro Staff
CPFLures.com

[murraymk]

UPDATE: I received the voltage regulators from Amazon and they were a perfect match (it's what I was expecting based on the online photos and dimensions). I installed the new ones and now my RPM gauge is working and the fuse does not blow. Seems good so far, I hope they last!  Thanks for all the feedback!

[Mike Cork]

Awesome news. Thanks for the follow up.