Evinrude keeps blowing fuses

[island_boater]

Evinrude 88 4 cyl-2 cycle keeps blowing the fuse at the engine (AGA 20) This occurs when we try to start the engine. No new connections or electronic equipment were added to cause this problem. In fact nothing has changed, just one day it started blowing the fuse. Any suggestions?

 

[DJ]

Re: Evinrude keeps blowing fuses

island_boater,<br /><br />Check the engine ground (big black wire coming from battery) connection on the engine block. Actually TAKE IT APART and have a look. Clean it up and reinstall.<br /><br />The crossflow v-4's were notorious for this ground corroding. It looks fine on the surface but gets funky underneath. The bad ground will cause all kinds of weird electrical concerns.

 

[z-man]

Re: Evinrude keeps blowing fuses

I agree with djohns19, it has to be a ground prob somewhere. somewhere you have a loose wire that is short circuiting everything.

 

[island_boater]

Re: Evinrude keeps blowing fuses

Thanks for the tip. Tried it out though and it didn't help. Did notice that alot of connections are done with electrical tape instead of connectors. Maybe the short is there somewhere. Bought the boat used so who knows. It is weird though that this would just start happening. Also the fuse is really hot after cranking. Could that connection be the one that is bad?

 

[Hooty]

Re: Evinrude keeps blowing fuses

If starter solenoid coil is shorted,it'll blow that fuse.<br /><br />c/6<br /><br />Hooty

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Evinrude keeps blowing fuses

Been there done that spent a good portion of last season replacing fuses in my tilt/trim. Read this<br /> http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=001665 This is how I spent a good part of a day.<br /><br />Bob

 

[island_boater]

Re: Evinrude keeps blowing fuses

What is the easiest way to check if the solenoid coil is shorted?<br /><br />Bob_VT: Looks like the same thing will happen to me as soon as this prob. is fixed. Nothing irritates me more than a lazy job on wiring.<br />

 

[petryshyn]

Re: Evinrude keeps blowing fuses

if the solenoid is shorted, it'll only blow the fuse while attempting to crank. Check the fuse, then attemp several cranks. If it blows, its a good bet that it is related to the solenoid. That fuse also runs the accessories and the enrichment solenoid. Any shorts in those items could blow it as well...... A bare wire touching ground can do the same.

 

[island_boater]

Re: Evinrude keeps blowing fuses

Schematic: Sounds like that could be it. Will I need to replace the solenoid or should some new wires do the trick?

 

[petryshyn]

Re: Evinrude keeps blowing fuses

It depends what the problem is..... <br />If the fuse "only" burns when cranking, I would disconnect the small wires to the solenoid. Get someone to hold the key in the crank position. Wiggle all the wires and harnesses between key and engine. Wiggle all engine wires. If the fuse burns again, the solenoid has been cleared and you'll be looking for a harness or bare wire problem. If the fuse didn't blow, I'd suspect the solenoid. At that point, I'd power up the solenoid with an ammeter inseries and measure the current flow. If its higher than 4-6amps, its bad. Remember, a bad accessory will burn the fuse the minute you turn the key to the on position. This may confuse you and lead you to believe its the solenoid. You must carefully determine exactly when the fuse burns to accurately trouble shoot this thing.

 

[island_boater]

Re: Evinrude keeps blowing fuses

Since neither one of us are extremely knowledgable with electrical do you think we should take it to a shop or is this something we can possibly due on our own? It doesn't sound to difficult, just alot of troubleshooting.

 

[DJ]

Re: Evinrude keeps blowing fuses

island_boater,<br /><br />Schematic gives good advice. If you're not sure about your abilities with test equipment, I suggest these.<br /><br />Do the simple things first.<br /><br />1. Check every coonection under that hood-take them apart, clean and reconnect. Make sure the battery is DISCONNECTED.<br /><br />2. Start looking at the wiring going from the engine to the control box. Inspect every inch of it.<br /><br />3. Make sure the starter attachment bolts are tight and clean. Ditto for the solonoid. Make sure the elec. connections to those copmponents are CLEAN.<br /><br />4. Follow Schematics advice, Im not sure which guages you have. Determine which ones become "live" when you turn the key on. Typically these will be the trim, tach, fuel and volt meter. Disconnect them and try. Reconnect one at a time until the symptom repeats itself.<br /><br />I still believe you have a poor connection somewhere. Especially after you mentioned that someone has been in there before.<br /><br />If you are CONVINCED that you have checked every connection, check them again. So far you won't have spent any money. The next logical component is the starter solonoid. These are not dreadfully expensive.

 

[island_boater]

Re: Evinrude keeps blowing fuses

All the accessories are attached to their own battery I discovered. That helps rule out that factor. It sounds like it could easily be the solenoid. I am going to check it out this weekend. Thanks for all the great suggestions and help.

 

[DJ]

Re: Evinrude keeps blowing fuses

island_boater,<br /><br />I do not see how your guages could be hooked to a seperate battery and still work with the key.

 

[DIRTPOORE96]

Re: Evinrude keeps blowing fuses

HEY ISLAND BOATER, I HAD THE EXACT PROBLEM WITH MY 175HP EVINRUDE. I WENT THRU ALL OF THE ABOVE FIXES & STILL BLEW AT LEAST 20 FUSES. AS SOON AS THE KEY WAS TURNED (BLOWN FUSE). SWITCHED BATTERY CABLES TO THE OTHER MOTOR (BLOWN FUSE). MUST BE BATTERY. REMOVED BATTERY & CHARGED. CLEANED THE GROUND POST, SANDED & CLEANED ALL CONNECTIONS. SOUNDS SIMPLE, BUT IT WORKED. NEVER HAPPENED THE REST OF LAST YEAR. I WOULD TRY THIS FIRST.

 

[island_boater]

Re: Evinrude keeps blowing fuses

Hadn't even thought of that. I will definently give it a try. Thanks alot dirtpoore96.