1989 4.3L all of the sudden no electric at all

dmax05

Recruit
Joined
Jun 4, 2009
Messages
5
Boat ran fine for 1/2 hour when started in my driveway and all electronics worked as well. Everything was checked. Been working every night this week waxing the exterior in the garage and moving the boat around in there, raising and lowering the outdrive. Last night went to lower outdrive and everything is dead. Nothing will turn on, boat won't start, outdrive won't move. When I turn the key to on I get a little flick out of the voltage guage. Battery is fully charged. Put a battery jump pack directly to the positive and negative cables and still nothing. Never had a problem with this boat before and was going to head up the lake tomorrow (5 hrs away) and drop it in. Mad scramble now to get this going and can't figure out. Have searched the forum for an hour and can't come up with similar situation. Checked the circuit breaker and it is not popped. Checked all other fuses I can find. Really hoping to figure this out tonight instead of cancelling vacation and first trip so any help would be much appreciated. I assume it is something simple, but just not sure where I should be looking. Again, I would really appreciate anyone's insight into this problem.
 

o-jay

Cadet
Joined
Jun 27, 2008
Messages
17
Re: 1989 4.3L all of the sudden no electric at all

I have a VIP about the same age, and every year I have to 'wake up' some of the electrical things. Usually under the dash at the fuse block. Power is always there, but I guess the moisture during the winter or something insulates the contacts on either side of the fuse. Usually simply a matter of spinning the fuse int he holder or maybe pulling out and putting back in - it's amazing how touchy the things are. Another idea is under the panel where the wiring from the engine housing comes to the dash panel, there will likely be one 10 or 12 AWG wire that brings power to the key switch and all the guages, etc. I've had it come off before, especially after I've been rummaging around in the boat cleaning and whatnot.

These things aside, just get yourself a cheap volt meter and start backwards from the battery to the wiring under the dash and try to see where you lose power. You're right, it's undoubtedly something simple...you'll find it.
 

dmax05

Recruit
Joined
Jun 4, 2009
Messages
5
Re: 1989 4.3L all of the sudden no electric at all

I sincerely appreciate the insight. I just picked up a pack of fuses to swap them all out. Will check the balance listed as well. Thank you
 

Bt Doctur

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Aug 29, 2004
Messages
19,348
Re: 1989 4.3L all of the sudden no electric at all

considering most T/T systems go directly to the battery ,a few go to the starter lug. How is yours connected?
No power could be a bad connection from a battery cable. Especially the neg. engine block cable.
 

dmax05

Recruit
Joined
Jun 4, 2009
Messages
5
Re: 1989 4.3L all of the sudden no electric at all

Finally took the battery to Advance Auto to have it tested even though it would not take a charge. (since it wouldn't take a charge, it was only two seasons old, and always spends the winter in my warm basement, and took a charge this spring no problem, I assumed it was full). Sure enough it tested with two bad cells on the new fancy tester they have. New battery fixed it all.
 
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