aq125a electrical problem, won't start after running fan!

[CodyT]

So just the other day we were out on the boat which has been running great and after fishing for about an hour, I went to start the engine and with the fan running, when I turned the ignition, the voltage gauge needle went to nothing and it wouldn't start. I could tell though that it had voltage but no equipment would turn on (fan, lights, fish finder...). But I shorted the starter with the key on and it fired right up! Then with it running all the devices work!

So today I was out again and when launching it, I had the fan on for about 45 seconds and then it just shut off and the voltage went to nothing again and it wouldn't start! When turning the key on, the oil pressure gauge and the temp gauge pop on but that's it. Then if I short the contacts on the starter, it fires right up.

Any ideas? Maybe a short somewhere? Where should I start looking?

Thanks for any help! Cody



'83 Bayliner Capri, aq125a, 270 drive

 

[captmello]

Re: aq125a electrical problem, won't start after running fan!

Wow, I'm not sure what the most efficient way to go about testing but I would start by checking all the connections at the battery, and starter by removing them, cleaning then and putting them back together. This goes for the grounds and hot leads. check the wiring to the fan as well, look for bad/broken wires.

Sorry, not much help, let us know what you find.

 

[Bondo]

Re: aq125a electrical problem, won't start after running fan!

Ayuh,... Sounds like a Bad Ground,... a Very Bad Ground...

 

[CodyT]

Re: aq125a electrical problem, won't start after running fan!

So being very smart, I put some grease in the electrical harness in the engine compartment thinking all grease was created equal, that looks to be the problem. I bought some electrical component cleaning spray to clean out the grease and then it all started working again. Except something is still goofy because last night it was super humid and no electrical device would work.