1988 Four Winns 215 Sundowner

[Shane26]

Please help. I recently bought a 1988 Four Winns 215 Sundowner cuddy cabin. Like any kid with a new toy I wanted to fix everything I could and replaced broken stuff. So I took the old cigarette lighter out and put a new one in. The trouble is that after it was working it shut off. But so did everything else. I have no power to my dash board or any lights in matter of fact. I checked all the fuses on the dash. My dash board has the fuses underneath each switch. Is there a main breaker somewhere in the boat I need to reset? Please help as I am getting frustrated and I want to take the boat out but I have no power. I can't even turn the ignition over. Thanks Shane

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: 1988 Four Winns 215 Sundowner

Don't know if this will help, but...... There is a circuit breaker near the main harness connection by the shift plate......Merc.

 

[Shane26]

Re: 1988 Four Winns 215 Sundowner

A breaker by the shifter? I will have to look there. I have searched around the engine and everywheres. I just hope that I didn't ruin anything. I have had a very unlucky week thus far and that would send me over the edge.

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: 1988 Four Winns 215 Sundowner

I don't have a real answer,as I can't see your boat,and don't know Four Winns that well.But there may be a fuse that has blown at your battery.<br /><br />DHP

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: 1988 Four Winns 215 Sundowner

Shift plate, near where the two big plugs join. Is this a MERCRUISER?

 

[Shane26]

Re: 1988 Four Winns 215 Sundowner

This is a 5L V8 Cobra. I didn't see anything. Is is possible that there is no breaker or does all boats have breakers? I wouldn't see what else would cut out all the power to the entire boat.

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: 1988 Four Winns 215 Sundowner

If it's a Cobra then you have 2 big 50amp glass fuses on top of the engine near the rear right by the big round black harness connector. These fuses are inside round black rubber fuse holders,hard to pull apart as they are water proof but look for them with a single red heavy wire. One is for the power trim and the other one feeds everything else on the engine including the dash and instruments.

 

[Shane26]

Re: 1988 Four Winns 215 Sundowner

Boatin Bob,<br />I went out and found what you were talking about.There was 2-50 amps and 1 20 amp. I took them all apart and all the fuses looked fine. So I reconnected everything feeling defeated and not happy and then went to the boat and just for the hell of it thought I would try the horn and it worked. I figured I must of had a bad connection or something. I did switch the fuses so I better check the trim to see if maybe when I switched the fuses that I put the bad one where the trim goes and the good one for the dash. I am going to run out and check. But now at least I know what I am looking at. Thanks Shane

 

[Shane26]

Re: 1988 Four Winns 215 Sundowner

Everything seems to be working. I must of had just a bad connection at those fuses. Thanks again. I am learning boats. Shane

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: 1988 Four Winns 215 Sundowner

Shane...quite possibly you did disturb a bad connection, you may want to pull apart again and spray in some connection cleaner....just a tip that I would recommend, pick up an extra fuse or 2 to have with you, those are not something you can pick up at any auto store (try a marina), my theory is if you have it, you won't need it!...good luck

 

[Shane26]

Re: 1988 Four Winns 215 Sundowner

Yeah I already have a list of things that I need in case something happens and those are on it. I ride motorcycles and snowmobiles all over the US and Canada so I always know the better prepared you are the less you will need it. Thanks taking off to cruise across NY on the Hog today. Tomorrow is a boat day. I have to balance my toys oout.