Force 40 - Blowing Fuses

[help_ma_boab]

Need some help here guys - Force 40 ser. no. OE002172 (1994 I think). Motor starts well, runs great, but blows the main 20 amp fuse sometimes. It seems to only happen when stopping the engine. Typical scenario - skier falls off, go round to pick 'em up, helping him aboard pulls killcord, engine stops - so far so good! Get skier etc squared away, replace killcord, attempt to fire up motor - nothing - no power, no T&T, totally dead! Hood off, check fuse - blown! Replace fuse, and away we go - everything rosy! I think it happens when stopping the motor cos its happened a few times coming into beach the boat - kill the engine early to coast in, only to find there no power for the T&T, so sometimes it ends up dragging the skeg - thats OK on sand but not on rocks!<br />I dont even know where to start on this one - any ideas?<br /><br />Bill

 

[12Footer]

Re: Force 40 - Blowing Fuses

I would say it's due to a short in the wire harness or the ignition switch itself. If the switch keeps contact on the ignition and at the same time, makes contact to ignition kill, bad things can happen to the electronic ignition. And your fuse could be protecting these components by opening.<br />Check for frayed or chaped wires rubbing the chassis anywhere. Look for places where the harness comes into contact with the case or motor frame, or areas that move frequently (like shift/throttle linkage, steering points ect).<br />This could be inside the control too.<br />If you have a meter or old amp gauge out of a car, you might want to check the starter solenoid to see if the start coil is drawing over 8AMPs ...Or even just replace the thing. They are generic, and only cost about 9bucks.<br />Outside of that, ya got me.

 

[help_ma_boab]

Re: Force 40 - Blowing Fuses

12 Footer,<br /><br />Thanks for the input. Have already visually checked what wiring I can see - looks fine!<br /><br />I suspect that the kill switch earths out thru the block somewhere to kill the engine, and its finding an easier route thru where the fuse is mounted at present. My next step is going to be to remove all earths and common grounds to the block that I can find, make sure they are clean and bright, then put them back nice and tight! This sounds logical to me - any other ideas?<br /><br />Now where did I put that manual? <br /><br />Bill

 

[funboater]

Re: Force 40 - Blowing Fuses

I have a '94 40hp force outboard too. My motor does not have a safety switch in the system as it is mounted on a pontoon boat . It does the same thing but I have noticed the power trim does not work immediatly after opening the throttle. I stopped and checked and the fuse is blown. If you figure it out let me know.