Testing the 470 Charging System

[NoGin]

Re: Testing the 470 Charging System

Thought I maybe had a battery connection wrong but didn't. She still wouln't start. I have 12 volts going to my ignition switch but I don't have anything coming from the yellow/red wire to the key.

 

[NoGin]

Re: Testing the 470 Charging System

Just read the starting troubleshooting sticky and now have a direction. We shall see in the am. Hopefully I get her to start then back to the charging, or should say, non-charging issue.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Testing the 470 Charging System

Thought I maybe had a battery connection wrong but didn't. She still wouln't start. I have 12 volts going to my ignition switch but I don't have anything coming from the yellow/red wire to the key.

Um, in general, you're not supposed to have power coming FROM the red/yellow wire. Your key switch SUPPLIES power TO the red/yellow wire. THEN it's connected to the throttle shift quadrant (where the neutral safety switch <usually> is.....[start-in-gear protection] ) THEN it goes to the start-solenoid (or slave solenoid)......THis is assuming that your "start-in-gear" protection switch is in the quadrant....


The power to the start solenoid COMES from the key switch. Power provided TO the key switch comes from main electrical harness power.

SO if you have power TO the key switch but not at the red/yellow wire (on the key switch) when you turn the key, The switch is defective.

If you have power on the red/yellow wire (at the switch) when you turn the key to start, but no power at the solenoid (or slave solenoid) then you have a broken wire between the key switch and the solenoid

OR a poor connection... OR a problem with the neutral safety switch at the throttle/shift quadrant. (Or you're not in NEUTRAL)


This is assuming that all the grounds are good and all the connections are good etc.....

 

[NoGin]

Re: Testing the 470 Charging System

Thanks for the clarification. My mind is feeling a bit like scrambled eggs right now and frustration is starting to set in. Don't want to miss the season!

 

[NoGin]

Re: Testing the 470 Charging System

Spent the entire day on the boat. I removed every cable from all 4 batteries and cleaned them all with scotch brite and battery cleaner/lube. I also removed the bad terminals and replaced with new. I then added the rubber type water proof gel to each battery to protect from corrosion.

I tested each battery with my voltmeter and they all had dropped down over night from about 12.4 to 11.92. After a quick charge each battery was back to around 12.2.

Did a hydrometer test on each battery and 4 out of 6 cells on 3 of the batteries were dead and the others showing a 75% charge. The 4th battery showed 2 cells 50% 2 cells 75% and the other 2 dead.

I tested my ignition switch and it's good. I tested the power from the battery to the slave solenoid and it's good. I also tested the power from my bank switch to the starter which was good. However, still no start.

I removed the slave solenoid and by-passed the 12 volt power terminal and hooked the battery power directly to terminal "a" from key switch and then grounded it and she worked. I then installed it and tried it again and nothing. I took a jumper and went from the battery directly to the "a" key switch terminal again and she turned over.

 

[NoGin]

Re: Testing the 470 Charging System

Any ideas for me ?????

 

[rbh]

Re: Testing the 470 Charging System

hey joe-
so your day sounds like a true pain in the butt, you have wiring issues.
Go find some one thats good a fault finding wiring issues and save your sanity!
rob

 

[NoGin]

Re: Testing the 470 Charging System

So you think the reason she isn't starting is the yellow/red ignition wire is broken somewhere between my ignition key switch and my solenoid?

I have tried looking for someone good. Even hired 2 different mechanics but honestly, I just don't trust them! I had one mechanic install 2 new water pumps in my alpha 1 outdrives then another mechanic install new lower shift cables and install my drives. This mechanic told me ( - after he installed the drives) that the other mechanic put the drives back together wrong b/c the forward was not lined up. He charged me another $150 to dis assemble the drives and put them back in so they work. When I confronted the original mechanic about the problem he practically threw me out of his shop yelling that the other mechanic is smearing his name and that he messed up the drives. All I know is I have 2 mechanics not manning up to an issue we had and I spent over $1,500 for all the above and came out with no mechanic I can rely on!!

 

[NoGin]

Re: Testing the 470 Charging System

The charging system works fine. It was just that all 4 batteries were completely shot! Installed 2 new Trojan 6 volts in series for the house plus 2 27 Interstate cranking batteries for the engines and is is very good!

 

[NoGin]

Re: Testing the 470 Charging System

... so after 2 weeks and 4 trips I figured out the charging system is not working by limping home with 1 engine! Looks like I have to invest in the alternator kit after all!

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

 

[JustJason]

Re: Testing the 470 Charging System

when your all done make sure you toss those battery wing nuts and put on stainless steel locknuts. Honestly not to suprised to here about the outcome, those charging systems stuuuuuunnk!!