Instrument Panel Stays On

[rickinbr]

I have a 1997 Bayliner 1704 Capri with a Force 120 HP outboard. I have never had any trouble until recently. My starting battery started to become dischared very quickly and I noticed that my instruments (voltage, gas gage, and hour meter) would stay active even with the ignition switch turned off. This had never happened before. I have not added any new equipment or instruments in years. The only way they would go off is when I disconnected the battery. I replaced the switch with no change. Even with all switch wires disconnected the problem persisted. Looking at the wiring diagram for this boat, I suspect that the wires connected to the B terminal of the switch (there are two wires on the B switch Red/Black and Red/White) are shorting to the purple wire (connected to the I terminal). The purple wire connects to all the instruments and I assume provides 12 V to them. Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can go about isolating this problem or where to look.
Thank you.

 

[solar7647]

Re: Instrument Panel Stays On

I would start by checking each gauge to see if a wire has come loose and is shorting across the back of one of the gauges.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Instrument Panel Stays On

If there is a jumper or short as you indicate between the "B" terminal and the Purple wire "A" terminal you have found the problem. The "B" terminal is hot all the time. The "A" terminal is hot only when the key is ON. With "A" contacting "B" you have the instruments powered all the time.

 

[rickinbr]

Re: Instrument Panel Stays On

Thanks for your help. I spent all morning laying on my back searching through the wiring before I found the problem. When I said that I had added no new equipment I meant no electrical equipment. I did install a new bimini top about a year and a half ago. In the process, I drilled through the top of the hull to install an eye strap. The screw went into the wiring bundle and a couple of wires. This caused the bridge or short. I repaired this and everything works like it should. I should have been more careful in drilling, but I never dreamed that wiring was in this area. Aparently the problem occurred at that time and I did not notice it until recently.