Boat Won't Start...Then Dash Switches Lose Function

[keifermj]

I have a 1999 Four Winns Sundowner with the 5.7GS engine. I went to start it for the first time today since it has been stored for the winter. I should mention that yesterday I changed the stereo and everything was good. Both batteries are fully charged. Today I ran the blower for a few minutes and gave the key a turn. Click. Nothing happened other than a click and the blower shut off for a few seconds and then came back on. I did this a few times with the same result, but after 3 or 4 times the blower stopped completely. I had no function on any of the dash switches after that. I checked for power at the blower switch with a voltage meter and it showed that everything was good. I reconnected the wires and the switched worked along with all the others. Tried to start the engine again. Click. This process repeated and now I am stumped. Any ideas as to what is going on? Thanks in advance.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Boat Won't Start...Then Dash Switches Lose Function

The click was very likely a circuit breaker. It is also likely that it is an automatic reset type so after it had a chance to cool, it reset itself so the blower worked again. You have two electrical systems on your boat. The engines failure to start is a separate issue from the blower. The blower is on the "house" system while the engine is on the -- well -- "engine" system. The first order of business is to ensure you have the batteries wired correctly. Since you have two of them there is probably a dual battery switch and perhaps an ACR involved. Make sure all battery cables are clean and tight. Were the batteries out of the boat or disconnected during storage or during the time you installed the radio?

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Boat Won't Start...Then Dash Switches Lose Function

Check the battery voltage with the blowers on and off. See if there is a big difference.

If the battery proves out OK, then take out the spark plugs and see if you find anything interesting . . . if not then try to turn the engine over with the starter while the plugs are out.

 

[Don S]

Re: Boat Won't Start...Then Dash Switches Lose Function

Clean and tighten the battery cables all of them. Use a wrench, not just your fingers and wingnutz.

And make sure the batteries are fully charged.

 

[Monsterbishi]

Re: Boat Won't Start...Then Dash Switches Lose Function

You've got a bad connection in your power cabling, that's letting enough current through to measure battery voltage but nothing more.

clean & re-secure everything, even if they look fine.

 

[Splat]

Re: Boat Won't Start...Then Dash Switches Lose Function

Agreed. Sounds like a bad connection to me.