Replaced fuse block, now wont start!

arrivederci

Recruit
Joined
Sep 6, 2011
Messages
5
fuse block.jpgfuse block 3.jpgWe just bought a 2001 Monterey Montura 218LS, which had a badly corroded fuse block.
We switched it out for a new one as follows: disconnected the battery's neg terminal, then went slowly doing only one circuit at a time, replacing the connectors with new heat-shrink connectors, making it better than new. Even checked the switch connections and cleaned them up, made sure the contacts were good. All the controls work (horn/blower/bilge/12v/depthmeter) BUT now it won't start. Ignition will turn on the gauges but doesn't beep anymore, and absolutely no sound and no turning of motor.

Here are the pics of the old fuse block, the new fuse block which is a brand new Blue Sea ST Blade Fuse Block (#5026) with cover.fuse block 3.jpgfuse block.jpg

We traced our steps, checked for power arriving at the fuse block terminals, but no luck. Any help or suggestions would be great.

Thank you to all, and ARRIVEDERCI!
Diana
 

BoatNoobie

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jun 17, 2009
Messages
314
Re: Replaced fuse block, now wont start!

Are the wires new too? If the block so bad, maybe the wires are bad too inside the insulation. When they got moved around, it broke the connection. Sounds like it's your ignition wire.
 

arrivederci

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Joined
Sep 6, 2011
Messages
5
Re: Replaced fuse block, now wont start!

Thanks BoatNoobie for the suggestion....we tried checking that too, connected a new wire from fuse block to the contact on the ignition assembly, but still no luck. I can't imagine the ignition assembly itself is bad, because it was working fine right up to when we decided to change the fuse block.....can it be anything else? is there a memory code on these engines which may have cancelled out after leaving the battery disconnected for a few hours? The engine is a Mercruiser 5.0L EFI.
 

seabob4

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jun 10, 2008
Messages
1,603
Re: Replaced fuse block, now wont start!

Your Mercruiser has a resettable circuit breaker on top of it, have you checked that?
 

NYBo

Admiral
Joined
Oct 23, 2008
Messages
7,107
Re: Replaced fuse block, now wont start!

Welcome to iboats!:cool:

You likely knocked something loose while doing the rewiring, probably a connection at the ignition switch. The engine and accessories have essentially separate electrical systems, so it's unlikely to be something you did with the fuse block per se.
 

Bridar

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 28, 2011
Messages
110
Re: Replaced fuse block, now wont start!

Have you checked that all your ground wires are interconnected, including the accessories grounded to the engine block? I count (9) pos and only (3) neg wires on the fuse block. Assuming you have multiple batteries, are they grounded to the engine block and to the fuse block?
 

arrivederci

Recruit
Joined
Sep 6, 2011
Messages
5
Re: Replaced fuse block, now wont start!

Thanks for all your excellent suggestions....it turns out our main battery switch was intermittently not making contact anymore, replaced that and everything is perfect! :)
 
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