JB..this ? is for you!

[krosemond]

JB, I know you really understand 12V.<br /><br />After testing my helicoil fix at the lake, when I got home and was tilting the engine down in the driveway at dusk, I noticed electrical sparks at he point where the throttle and gear cable went into the engine cowling. After closer inspection, both cables were chaffed and the insides were making contact with the block. I taped them up well and no spark now.<br /><br />My question is: Why are those cables hot? And why when I am using the tilt? I am confused (again), is there a short in the throttle I need to be looking for, like the switch that keeps it from starting in gear? I just can't understand why mechanical cable would have current.<br /><br />Thanks for your insight in advance.<br /><br />Ken

 

[Yepblaze]

Re: JB..this ? is for you!

Some how you are missing a ground wire to something, and the cables are making the connection. Find out what is looking for ground and not getting it from your harness. The problem you describe can be detrimental to cable life to say the least.

 

[JB]

Re: JB..this ? is for you!

Hey, Krose. Those cables should be at ground (block) potential. Inspect your controller box for: A 12v wire making contact with metal parts of shifter/throttle/case. That wire could be part of the Neutral-start safety circuit or some other circuit housed therein.<br /><br />Given the presence of petrol vapor in the area, this should be solved before running the engine again.<br /><br />I am on my way to LOTW at midday tomorrow, but I will check here again before I leave.<br /><br />Good luck.<br />JB

 

[Paddling]

Re: JB..this ? is for you!

Krosemond, One thing I can think to add to J.B.'s post is that if you were trimming down when the spark occured, then the short from 12 volt to 'cable ground' is most likely on the load side of the trim switches. Check the wires between the switches and the pump closely. Hope this helps.

 

[krosemond]

Re: JB..this ? is for you!

Thanks Guys, I will give everything a thorough eyeball tonight after work, and post my findings. I will start with the wires from the trim switch first, I have to believe that they are shorting on something that allows the current to get to the throttle under the console. I don't think those cables chaffed recently, it must have been going on for a while. Only the casing around the solid cable was exposed.