Electrical Problem??? Dead boat :(

[seadoo_steve]

I hope someone can help me... I have a 1990 Mastercraft Prostar 190 w/ a Ford 351. I haven't taken it out in a few weeks, and yesterday when I went to take it out... The blower ran just fine, I opened the engine cover and went to start it.<br />I hear a 'zzzztt' sound from the engine area, and then nothing . I turned the key again, and everything is just dead. Is this just a short? a fuse? did I melt the electrical system?<br /><br />HELP

 

[Don S]

Re: Electrical Problem??? Dead boat

Fuses don't sizzle. Sounds like it's either a Dirty, Corroded, or Loose battery connection, on either the positive or negative cable. Don't forget, it has 2 ends on each cable.<br />Did you open the engine cover and listen to find where "EXACTLY" the sound is coming from?

 

[seadoo_steve]

Re: Electrical Problem??? Dead boat

Problem is, it only made the sound once, so I can't really locate it as I can't get it to do it again...

 

[goinhungry]

Re: Electrical Problem??? Dead boat

When you say "everything is dead" do you mean there's no power going anywhere? If there's still voltage going to the ignition components when you click the key then you may have a starter that's stuck, but if it's totally dead, I'd start with fuses/electrical. In any case, clean off the connections as Don recommends...

 

[tommays]

Re: Electrical Problem??? Dead boat

http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=24;t=012808 <br /><br /><br />my BIL has a 1977 351 power ski boat and its very close to don's trouble shooting post it just doesent have a netural saftey switch<br /><br />and the wires are not color coded <br /><br /><br />tommays

 

[seadoo_steve]

Re: Electrical Problem??? Dead boat

none of the gauges work... volt meter, anything... its all just dead.

 

[rbezdon]

Re: Electrical Problem??? Dead boat

sunds like the ground connection on the back of the block went bad. Probably corroded and not making contact. Check continuity from block to the battery negative post.