89 Johnson 90 HP, keep blowing fuse after cranking

GSX455

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 21, 2016
Messages
165
OK, when I can get the starter to turn over, if it sits and I try it again the fuse is blown. After 5 fuses, what cause a 20A fuse to blow repeatedly?
Bad solenoid? bad wiring, ground connections were checked by the starter and they are tight.
 

F_R

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jul 7, 2006
Messages
28,226
Excessive current is what blows fuses, usually some sort of short to ground. We have no way of isolating it from a distance. Of your suggestions, "bad wiring" might apply. "Bad solenoid" would be so rare as to be completely ignored.
 

Chris1956

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 25, 2004
Messages
28,102
Check the engine and boat wiring harnesses. Look for melted wires or places where insulation was rubbed off.
 

jakedaawg

Rear Admiral
Joined
Jun 26, 2012
Messages
4,275
Get a 20A circuit breaker, wire it in place of fuse...that will save some $ and pains in the neck as you trouble shoot.

look first where harness enters at cowl, lots of movement there. Is it pinched? Peel back the black cover and look for bad wire.

You can also disconnect at the big red plug. Then use a remote start switch. If fuse still blows you are looking at something on the motor side, if it doesn't you are looking at the boat side.

Does operation of the trim switch seem to make it blow? If the TNT switch is on the throttle look at base of throttle handle.

Although Because you state "when I can get it to turn over" I would concentrate on the yellow wire with red stripe and the red wire, both run through the harness.
My 1st guess would still be in the area where it goes into the cowl. 2nd guess would be where harness goes in to boat at the motor well. It doesn't have to be a bare spot with a short. A severely pinched wire can do it also. The pinch increases resistance.
 
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