Boat Outboard Reverse Battery Hookup Fix // Mercury 40 HP 4 Stroke Fix

The issue of boat outboard reverse battery hookup fix was a costly mistake but I fixed it! Watch another Mercury outboard fuel problem repair video here: • Mercury Outboard Runs ...
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***ABOUT THIS VIDEO:
This is not the type of video I was wanting to make, but after I screwed up and hooked battery up backwards to my Mercury boat motor, I thought this type of video will really help people who also messed up.
This backwards battery connection damage and fix video for my Mercury 40HP 4 stroke boat motor was costly. It cost me 77 dollars for the new diode wire that goes from the ignition to the starter solenoid.
Plus the gas I spent to pick up the part....
...Sometimes that's how it goes. We simply, mess up.
I hope this video finds you well if your boat motor won't start after you hook up the battery cables backwards. If you notice you blew the 20 amp fuse on the motor, this is likely the problem.
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***MORE BOATS & OUTBOARDS EPISODES ON THE CHANNEL:
Mercury Outboard Runs Then Dies // Try This Before You See Mechanic
- • Mercury Outboard Runs ...
Trailer Winch Strap Replacement // Correct Installation Easy
- • Trailer Winch Strap Re...
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Thank you for watching this boat outboard reverse battery hookup fix video!
Feel free to leave your questions and comments below, I am happy to help.
- Roland
You Don't Have To Get It Right, You Just Have To Get Going...
#reversebatteryhookup #mercuryoutboardfix
***To replay this video: • Boat Outboard Reverse ...
Disclaimer: This video may contain affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, we will earn a small commission. Please understand that we have experience with these products, and we recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions we make.

[@GettingItDoneNorthOf7]

Thank you for watching, I hope this boat motor fix helps you solve your problem. Thank you for watching :-) Watch more boats & outboards episodes here: kzbin.info/aero/PLWeQZSOnzi9X4EtvRNMgM3qjzpsZ-lc4U

[@stevehood2597]

Thank you friend. The fix worked. We're back on the water

[@donnaphillips3069]

Thank you so much for this video! Exactly what we needed after doing the same thing. Saved us hundreds of $$ by not having to take it to the shop to be figured out. Only had to wait over a month for the part because of supply chain interruptions. But worked perfectly after we changed it out.

[@dalehobbs8782]

Thanks for the fix. Made the same mistake on my 40HP Merc EFI. A bit of a hassle connecting the ground wires back, but it worked like a charm. Part cost me $52 US for expedited shipping. Ridiculous, but no other choice on that.

[@warrenelliott4555]

I did the same silly but common mistake to my 60hp merc 4stroke. Thank you so much for the easy repair job. I'll open up the damaged cable to see what the component is inside. Diodes can go either open or short circuited so it must be something special. I'll try and get back to tell everyone. Thanks once again for the video...Warren

[@rithlim6016]

I'm so glad I found this video!! I did exactly this a few days ago; swap my battery leads without thinking. I have a Mercury 30HP so I'm hoping it's the same assembly diode cable but I'll check. Fingers cross!

[@marcusket298]

THANKS!! Hello from the Netherlands, Europe. I have the same outboard engine and also accidently reversed the poles! After all sorts of advise i found your video and guess what, your fix is all it needed, thanks for sharing, it saved me a lot of searching and surely money!! happy days.

[@GettingItDoneNorthOf7]

Hi there, that is great to hear and this comment has made my day! Have a great day.

[@jmchannel3377]

I just made the same mistaken you did it today... I'm glad found your video, you did a great job on this video. Greatly appreciated.

[@rolandkeith5322]

I Always enjoy your videos as you do a good job putting them together. I have been very busy over the last weeks so I am a bit slow catching up on everyone’s content…….stay safe and keep well.

[@GettingItDoneNorthOf7]

Good day! Yes I've been busy as well. Getting hard to keep up here as well. Take care and thank you. I 😊

[@rejedit8313]

Just wanted to say THANK YOU ! ….. I did the same thing and because YOU took the time to post your fix, this saved me time and money by doing it myself…. and like you when I turned the key to start the engine after replace the cable assembly diode and it worked !!!!

[@GettingItDoneNorthOf7]

That's great to hear. I had to swallow my pride on this video because of my careless mistake but it seems to be helping many. So that makes me feel good. 😊

[@Forsalebycharlie]

Thank you for making this video. I did the exact same thing today, and this video helped me fix it. Thank you!!!

[@rickyrunnels4030]

Thank you. I have the exact same problem for the exact same reason. I am ordering the part today.

[@SuckitRickDanger]

Man, I am way too old to make this mistake, but I did. This video saved me a lot of lost water time and money. Cost was around $60 for new diode assembly at marina. About the same on line. Thanks again.

[@GettingItDoneNorthOf7]

Awesome, glad you fixed it yourself

[@bobhorte9556]

Thank you for your input regarding plug wired wrong I reversed it and it works great THANK YOU

[@frankreyes6330]

This really helps now to try this on my boat cause I did the same mistake with the battery

[@stuartcifuentes10]

I'm in the same boat as you are, thanks for the help!

[@antoniocastellano6562]

Thank you, friend, for sharing about that stupid mistake I also committed! Just found you and I can’t wait to get the p[art as we same the same Mercury! Toni

[@TheLaLaFarm]

I dont have a boat any more, but this was a very good and informative video Roland. Well Done! - Rick

[@GettingItDoneNorthOf7]

Thanks for watching Rick!

[@strongsadventures]

Great Information Roland. Yeah sometimes its the simplest mistakes that cost money. Glad it wasn't more to it.

[@GettingItDoneNorthOf7]

Yes I guess that diode saved my behind didn't it. lol

[@RandWFarmstead-TonyWalsh]

Great information and reminder. Take care and have a blessed day.

[@GettingItDoneNorthOf7]

Thank you Tony!

[@ZhoelTruman]

Thanks from New Zealand! You saved the day with this one!!

[@GettingItDoneNorthOf7]

Thank you!

[@slimpickins9124]

Now who would be stupid enough to do that? Er, ah, kinda looks like I did...heh. Thanks this could really help me. Up-date! Ya, not paying due diligence I hooked my 40hp Merc tiller up backwards. Thanks to your timely fix-it video I was able to fix this on my own. Took 4 days to order the part which now (5/22) costs $60 at Michigan dealer. Thanks again.

[@GettingItDoneNorthOf7]

haha sh!t happens. Join the club

[@DaviddoesStuff]

That’s a really easy mistake to make. If you want to rebuild the burned out diode you can cut the old one apart. It most likely has a 1n4001 or a 1n4002 diode inside. When they get reverse voltage they blow out and create a short circuit (it’s called a crowbar circuit) to protect the rest of the electronics. It just goes directly between the hot and ground wires. It’s easy to replace. There is stripe on the cathode end so you just put the new one in like the old one came out and put more shrink wrap back on. When you open the shrink tube it’s most likely not burned up and it should have a number on it. I’m not sure if Adafruit Industries ships to Canada but the cost of the diodes is 10 for $1.50 US. Have a great day my friend and be safe out there!

[@GettingItDoneNorthOf7]

Hey, great info. I had no idea I could even do that. You know your electronics! I would have saved a ton. Lol thanks for sharing, may need that info one day again.

[@Mr_Dopey]

I was thinking the same thing. If you open the old wire the diode is marked with what type it is.

[@deetroitdave4629]

Excellent video. I did the exact same thing only it was my son who distracted me!!! My merc is 50 HP, will the solenoid model # be different?

[@BonedaddyToo]

Nicely walked through DIY demonstration.

[@GettingItDoneNorthOf7]

Thanks I tried lol

[@Angieslifeandmorereloaded]

Lol, not laughing at you, laughing at the memory of fixing a ton of these from the same mistakes. Lost many a pair of sunglasses leaning over the engine to replace the fuses too. I cant tell you at the 50cent fuses that costed people 100 bux. $50 lake calls, 50 cent fuses, and $45 diodes (back then). Alot of people would get mad over a 15 minute fix costing them 100bux. The motto? "Pay me for what I know, not what I do" lol. Great job! Glad you got it fixed, my friend!

[@GettingItDoneNorthOf7]

It was a stupid mistake that shouldn't have happened. I swallowed my pride and did the video anyways. I know it will be a popular video and will eventually pay for the diode. That's right, and you should get paid for what you know.

[@Angieslifeandmorereloaded]

Don't beat yourself up over it too bad, $#!+ happens 😉 We didn't have you tube back then, so, maybe your vid will help someone else in need. Boats used to be pretty simple, but, when they breakdown, its a pain to chase down what the issue can be. Nowadays? I'm not sure I'd even pop the calon to check the plugs, lol. All those electronics kicked my but years ago 😆

[@chugs]

It bledy worked!! 👍👍 Thank you for the video

[@GettingItDoneNorthOf7]

Heck yeah! Great to here!! Thanks for watching, hope you subbed.

[@chrishoyt0917]

My 2020 mercury 50hp keeps blowing a 15amp fuse under the cowling at the front of boat. Brought it back to cabelas, they said it was fixed, but I got stranded again yesterday. Can somebody help!?

[@clydemoore4815]

Thank you, I hope this is my problem.

[@Paulblueridgemtns]

So helpful! Many thanks.

[@maugi3164]

Is it possible to have a bad celenoid but a good fuse? I've done that (reversed poles) before and the marina replaced the fuse, my merc was throwing alarms. A year or two later....I did it again. I took the battery off for winter, charged it. Before I charged it , it was at 50%. I'm wondering if the new battery isn't charging during use due to a blown fuse of celenoid.

[@muskyman3238]

My 50 HP Merc EFI ran OK 2-3 time. After it stopped for a while. I couldnt start it again. It even doesnt have crank. I tried maunaly start but it was in same case. Not sure what happens. It's the first time run this spring. Thanx

[@STEPHENMACCARA]

Hi there. I did the same thing but did not have an issue starting motor afterwards. However took boat for a drive and battery drained. Put another battery on and wouldn’t start. Bought a new battery and seems fine but when I measure the voltage while cruising it does not look like it is charging. Checked all fuses and they are all good. Battery stays at same voltage. Doesn’t go down doesn’t go up while running. Shouldn’t it go to 14 volts?

[@br3xa836]

So I have a weird similar problem. My starter went out and I took it out to find the serial number and put it back in and connected all the wires back up. The weird part is that my solenoid is getting 12.6 volts but my starter that’s right about the solenoid is getting -12.6 volts. Do you have an idea why that is negative? I put all the cables back the same way I took them out.

[@user-sp5vt3gq9g]

Do you still happen to have the old wire or was able to test the old wire bu chance?

[@StevieTwoTimes]

I made this mistake but it did not blow a fuse. Motor won’t crank (only makes one click sound). Do you think I should replace the diode or is there a chance I fried the solenoid or starter?

[@featherman51]

Very informative video. Thanks!!!

[@GettingItDoneNorthOf7]

You're welcome!

[@juzajohn]

Why did you remove the cable from the relay? Is it because you left the battery connected? My relay only has 2 wires and the ground has three. Is that probably because I have fewer accessories?

[@Georooney]

The positive and negative terminals are a different size for a reason. What was your first clue something wasn't right?

[@jerrydeal4493]

Thanks I done the same thing

[@pierrepelletier194]

Hi, my friend and I, disconnected the battery in emergency. On the river, the starter jammed on the motor. We removed the wired and did not check where positve and negative goes. Mercury sea pro 40 HP. we do not want to burn anything and trying to find where the positive should be connect. Thanks.

[@MrG-ce6tb]

Thumbs up to you man that can happen to anyone could have been worse though keep safe catch you later

[@GettingItDoneNorthOf7]

You are right, could have been much worse, who knows maybe this video will eventually pay for the part one day. 🤣🤣

[@glennsilva5915]

Did same thing waiting for part to come in

[@damianledoux1]

Thank You Thank You Thank You your video Save me Big Money.

[@GettingItDoneNorthOf7]

Glad I could help

[@timo0172]

Hi, Thanks a lot for this video! I liked it a lot. I got a Mercury 2016 4 stroke 60 hp efi outboard. Would not start after running 30 miles at full or 3/4 of throttle. Trim is not working either. But it makes a very weak noise in the fuse. What could be the possible issue?

[@cotybasinger3588]

did you ever find out the answer to this? mine is doing the same.

[@espinal557190]

Same

[@craigstevenson6123]

When you first wired it, was there smoke coming from the motor? After you corrected the battery leads, did the motor crank but not kick over?

[@GettingItDoneNorthOf7]

Sorry it's been so long I don't remember

[@changepointkotzebue2831]

Thank you. I’ll try this out. I too reversed my cables. There was a little spark. Then no trim and tilt at the throttle and the motor. Also nothing when I turned the key. I can’t find any blown fuses. So I’ll check to see where the diode is. I have a 2016 Suzuki 140 4-stroke. Is there any way to check the diode I have? Like with a volt meter? I live far from a dealer. Like 1,000 miles. Thanks.

[@tannerteague4673]

I don’t think yours will be the same since it’s a Suzuki. Check the 2 main relays

[@douglasmoody3403]

Done this myself .Fishing trip was over before it started.

[@GettingItDoneNorthOf7]

No way! Sorry that happened.

[@jameskohler815]

I just had this happen to me today , I haven’t gotten into the troubleshooting because I am mad at myself. Is it possible it can only be a fuse ? Thanks for the video

[@GettingItDoneNorthOf7]

Possible, good luck with it. I was mad at myself as well.

[@cookingwithsherry]

So sorry that happened ! But good to share

[@GettingItDoneNorthOf7]

It will definitely help some people. Nobody is perfect.

[@cookingwithsherry]

Getting It Done North Of 7 ain’t that the truth! Lol

[@espinal557190]

Question.. Will this prevent the trim from working too? I have the same issue I was replacing the battery terminal and I think I crossed the terminal but crazy thing is my trim won’t work too

[@GettingItDoneNorthOf7]

Not sure if I checked. it's very possible.

[@bakervinci163]

I did the same thing, but was in the middle of diagnosing and trying to fix a battery /alternator problem. I did not try to start it with the wires crossed, but might have burned up a charger. Will it run with a bad diode? I am still having battery issues.

[@GettingItDoneNorthOf7]

I don't believe it would.

[@pegsclips]

Ouch..happens.. we've all made mistakes. Glad you were able to fix it. Frustrating as heck tho eh? (But Roland? You are......north of 7.....LOL 😆)

[@GettingItDoneNorthOf7]

yep I never make mistakes when I was south of 7

[@pegsclips]

Lol 😆

[@damianledoux1]

My Knucklehead son did the same thing.

[@Patriot-pq1ku]

Did the same thing

[@stamthemam]

when this happened to you. Were you still able top start ? I too did this but motor still ran any help is greatly appreciated thanks

[@GettingItDoneNorthOf7]

No not at all

[@BeingSwenglish]

Did you solve your issue Gator? I suspect that my engine has been connected with wrong polarity, it still runs perfectly but isn't charging the battery!

[@stamthemam]

@@BeingSwenglish yes i did so thanks

[@bradleymassey8452]

Just went thru exact thing. Diode was $50.23. in arkansas.

[@GettingItDoneNorthOf7]

Good job!

[@scdi12]

I just did the same stupid thing. It's not really your fault or mine. The + and - on he batteries are both black on black. I'm getting some red paint. Thx for sharing.

[@GettingItDoneNorthOf7]

Lol let's go with that. I agree

[@saphirediamondspearlzsdpje3127]

💪❤👍 good morning

[@GettingItDoneNorthOf7]

Good morning friend 😊

[@jacobalderman105]

👍👍

[@mcconn746]

I did the same thing 8 or so years ago. (sigh)

[@GettingItDoneNorthOf7]

I know right! Stupid mistake. We are only human friend.🙂

[@mikeboston421]

you could probably make your own diode for less than $5

[@saphirediamondspearlzsdpje3127]

Hey again. . good news I got my laptop today sooo go head and put them youcantube videos out by the dozen🤣

[@GettingItDoneNorthOf7]

I will in the next few day! Not sure about dozens but a few for sure.

[@saphirediamondspearlzsdpje3127]

@@GettingItDoneNorthOf7 🤣🤣🤣

[@Georooney]

$77 for a diode that's worth a buck fifty at any electronics outlet. I am so sick and tired of Mercury gouging me for parts. Is it any wonder that folks go to eBay to buy Mercury knock-off parts from China? eBay is now my go-to for all my high priced Mercury parts.

[@Georooney]

BTW, notice on the package it says Assembled in Mexico. However, often the part itself is manufactured overseas, in Thailand or some such. How much do you think Mercury pays for that $77 diode?

[@rolandkeith5322]

I Always enjoy your videos as you do a good job putting them together. I have been very busy over the last weeks so I am a bit slow catching up on everyone’s content…….stay safe and keep well.

[@GettingItDoneNorthOf7]

👍😊