No Power to Instruments or Engine

[jetboy]

This is on a 1994 Genesis model 2002 with a Mercruiser I/O

A couple of days ago was the first chance I had to use my boat in a while. Boat started but it seemed to just barely turn over. I wrote that off to the boat sitting for a while. Went out a couple more times, no problems. I go out to use it this morning and nothing. No start, no gauges either. I figure I must have left some intrument on and got my other battery out. Still nothing. Now I'm hoping I've just got 2 dead batteries so I take them in to charge. But they took a charge too quick to be very low. Went back out and reattached the battery and still nothing. Looking for loose wires and I don't find anything. I pushed the circuit breaker button on the engine and that didn't help. I did flip up the bilge pump switch in the sump and it ran, that surprised me. What do I look for?

 

[flargin]

Re: No Power to Instruments or Engine

Jetboy.

I thought about this after our last touch on this one. I am thinking your batteries are bad. Short charging time may indicate fully charged, or dead on arrival.

either way, I would follow these steps and you will find the problem shortly enough.

1. you need a multi-meter. check voltage dont just assume it is charged. a couple of dead batteries is not out of the question. it should be 12.5+ v.

2. There is a large writeup on how to isolate starting problems. it is the first one in the sticky for the Mercruiser section. link here: ------------ADULTs ONLY ------------. here is a link to the writeup: HOW TO: Troubleshooting your engines starting system

3. bilge pump. not really an indicator of "success" a 6 volt battery will likely run a dry bilge pump, but won't even make a click on a starter. (thus reason for a meter)

Take a look, the sticky above will likely solve your problems.

When you are done, I would double check your charging system, it may not be working.

Oh Yea... welcome to the iboat forum.

 

[jetboy]

Re: No Power to Instruments or Engine

3. bilge pump. not really an indicator of "success" a 6 volt battery will likely run a dry bilge pump, but won't even make a click on a starter. (thus reason for a meter)

Does nothing on the instrument panel working mean anything? No horn, radio, blower and the bilge doesn't turn on from the rocker switch on the panel either. That strikes me as odd that it works in the sump.

 

[rbh]

Re: No Power to Instruments or Engine

I would first look at removing batteries and get them fully charged then load tested. this will tell you if if that was the problem or if you have to start looking into a wiring issue.
are all your battery connections clean and tight? thats usually the big problem
rob

 

[jetboy]

Re: No Power to Instruments or Engine

I would first look at removing batteries and get them fully charged then load tested. this will tell you if if that was the problem or if you have to start looking into a wiring issue.
are all your battery connections clean and tight? thats usually the big problem
rob

I found my multi meter. And it read 12.65 at the battery and the same at the solenoid.

 

[rbh]

Re: No Power to Instruments or Engine

if your happy with the batteries time to start chasing down the wires for faults.
rob

 

[arrow_man]

Re: No Power to Instruments or Engine

I had a similar problem to this last year. The difference was that I could crank my motors as they were on their own leads and the battery was fully charged.

I lost all power to my bilge, fuel gauge, aerator, etc. I trouble shot this for a hours and was contemplating rewiring the whole thing. Last thing I tried before spending $ on new wire was running a jumper wire (new lead wire) directly from the battery to my gauges in place of the old lead wire. Low and behold it worked. It turned out that I had something wrong with the lead wire running to the gauges. It was able to show full volts but unable to do anything under even the smallest load (fuel gauge).

I first though it was a ground issue but eliminated that by testing for continuity. Go in with a plan and test everything two or three times with your meter. But first get those batteries to an auto parts store to have them checked.

Good luck, wiring is a real PITA when you need to find the problem.

 

[jetboy]

Re: No Power to Instruments or Engine

Good luck, wiring is a real PITA when you need to find the problem.

Yes it is! I'm still plugging away at it, with limited time, it's a real pain.

 

[jetboy]

Re: No Power to Instruments or Engine

Success...and then...another problem.

So I flip one of the rocker switches on the dashboard to the on position and I'm laying in the boat in the blazing sun wiggling wires. When I hear the bilge come on! Yeah me, I'm thinking. So I figure I'll see if I can start her up. And she does! So why not go for a little boat ride? But now the power lift doesn't work. What happened now?

 

[RickJ6956]

Re: No Power to Instruments or Engine

The symptoms you describe could be a bad or intermittent ground. Inspect all the black wires, including the main ground from the battery to the engine. If the system has blue Scotch Lok taps on the ground wires under the panel, look closely to see if corrosion has set in. Those are notorious failure points.

 

[jetboy]

Re: No Power to Instruments or Engine

I looked at the pump for the tilt/trim and saw a fuse. I took that out but a visual inspection didn't tell me anything. Can anyone tell me why this fuse is all white instead of clear so you can see the metallic strip? Anyhow, I took it to my nearby marina who told me it was good. But then he asked me if I had taken the battery out during any of my procedures. I said 'yes' and he said 'make sure you got all the wires hooked back on to the battery'. I went and checked that and sure enough I left a wire off on the '-' side.
Guess what? I'm good to go now. Thanks to everyone who responded!

On edit: I figure I should give a nod to Linwood Beach Marina in Linwood MI(formerly Hoyle's) for the good advice.