Ford 302 issues

[Jakem]

Goodmorning. Took boat out for first run of the season. Everything was going great and all of a sudden my temp gauge stopped and shortly after boat started running rough..started being hard to start like real slow cranking. Found red wire from 40 amp breaker to bat was melted..I changed it however the problem didn't stop. If I let it sit awhile it starts fine buy rough idle. Electronic ignition. I noticed my amp meter is higher then normal as well. Any thoughts

 

[Jakem]

I will add this. I installed a new windlass 700 if that makes a difference. Here's pic of amp meter

 

[dubs283]

Most likely a short to ground or very poor ground connection/missing a ground somewhere

Less likely but also possible is overcharging alternator (bad regulator) or faulty battery

 

[Jakem]

After digging around there was two bad ground connections. Loose in the terminal ends..thanks

 

[Jakem]

Follow up...changed all terminal ends..cleaned and cleaned and cleaned some more on all connections. Everything ran great all day until end..mostly moved from one fishing spot to another..noticed fuel gauge was pinned full...and then boat would start then stall...I took leads off alt and cleaned them again...boat started and stayed running however amp Meter running high and temp gauge pinned cold...then it and the fuel gauge were jumping around...any ideas

 

[dubs283]

Have you determined the alternator is continuously outputting a steady charge to the battery?

An ammeter on the dash is okay to check output but it doesn't give you a solid number. Volt guage at least gives a finer "tuned" number but the true test is a dvm on battery posts with engine running at 1000+ rpm

Possible you still have ground issues somewhere. Engine harness, senders, main engine harness connection, guages, etc... Best to remove and clean all connections, power, ground, sender leads

 

[Jakem]

I will run boat on muffs today and check with volt meter. I did notice lastnight that my power wire at starter is loose. However it's the stud that's loose not the connection.

 

[dingbat]

However it's the stud that's loose not the connection.

If the stud is loose, the problem connection is inside the housing.
Need to disassemble and tighten the stud back up

 

[Jakem]

I have 12.5 v at battery with engine running...test leads on alternator...one ground..one power post...jumps all over with random voltage up to 16...down to .2...all over

 

[dingbat]

I have 12.5 v at battery with engine running...

Should be 13+ V

test leads on alternator...one ground..one power post...jumps all over with random voltage up to 16...down to .2...all over

Was the battery connected at the time?

The regulator is cycling trying to balance output with demand.

Bad alternator /voltage regulator
Battery shorted internally
Fairly large parasitic drain
Bad battery cable

 

[Jakem]

It was connected yes. It never goes dead when sitting if that makes a difference

 

[Jakem]

I'm going to get 2 new batteries and install a 3 way unit so everything not on one battery as well

 

[Jakem]

Good day I have cleaned and replaced any suspicious wiring and went out yesterday. Boat ran great. Fished for few hours at anchor and when I went to move the boat started cutting out and stalled. Rest of the day same thing. The gauges are not doing what they were aside from ammeter..running high again

 

[Jakem]

Also add this...only happens under load..not on muffs

 

[Scott06]

Also add this...only happens under load..not on muffs

When it happens check to see what spark strength is with gap tester , see if you have proper volts to positive side of coil ( not sure if u have points or electronic) , disconnect tach wire at coil

 

[kenny nunez]

If the gauges are reading higher than before then you need to start looking for a bad ground. It might just be the ground connection behind the instrument panel. Try running a separate 10 ga wire from the negative battery post to the ground post behind the instrument panel. Check each wire connection on all he gauges.

 

[Jakem]

I've got pertronix ignition. The only gauge that is high is ammeter. It doesn't do it if I'm idling along when I get on the throttle it starts. Feels like it's running out of gas kinda. Chug chug chug and dead if that makes any sense

 

[Jakem]

When it happens check to see what spark strength is with gap tester , see if you have proper volts to positive side of coil ( not sure if u have points or electronic) , disconnect tach wire at coil

What should it be with electronic

 

[Scott06]

What should it be with electronic

12 v to positive side of coil . Points or electronic should jump 5/16 or 3/8 on gap tester if in good shape

 

[Jakem]

I haven't got a tester so I will take it and have it tested. I followed a vidio on how to test with voltmeter and it shows up good