lOST 12 VOLT POWER.

4

400451501

Cadet
Joined
Jul 17, 2005
Messages
8
I have a 1979 searay with a 260 Merc. I/O. I went to start the other day and nothing happened. I have no Ignition, Blower, Lights or horn. I have 12 volts going to the power trim and it works and i also have 12 volts going to the starter from the battery. Everywhere else i have no voltage. i checked the breaker on the motor and it Ohm out oK. can anyone point me in the right direction.
 
M

milkyway

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 31, 2004
Messages
535
Re: lOST 12 VOLT POWER.

1. check the battery ends for corrosion, expecially the positive end connected to the starter. these cables look ok visually, but if you remove them and examine the tips, they may be like bread crumbs. happened to me. clean and remove all rust formations on cable connections did you also happen to do anything lately that may cause this? <br /><br />2.if you have 12 volts from the battery, then the batter is low. it should be about 13 before cranking. 12 will not do it. charge it.<br /><br />3. check the fuse on the alternator where the positive cable is connected. maybe it's blown.
 
R

rattana

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 12, 2003
Messages
413
Re: lOST 12 VOLT POWER.

Use Dons information he just posted the other day. It is good the breaker ohms out okay. Is there +12 volts at each side of the breaker?<br /><br />Using Dons schematic, keep tracing the circuit until you find where the 12 volts stops. Make sure the ground is clean and connected as well.
 
B

boull

Recruit
Joined
Jul 17, 2005
Messages
3
Re: lOST 12 VOLT POWER.

Had the same issue last week...finally got it started with a portable power pack. When I was at headway speed I trimmed up the drive and everything died.<br />Not even a light would come on.<br /><br />Next day I checked the battery terminals, sure enough the negative lead oxidized and had enough corrosion that you could not draw any current. Cleaned it up with emory cloth and greased the terminals...started right up ...everything A-OK.<br /><br />Even if the connections don't look oxidized or corroded clean them up anyway....you'd be surprised.<br /><br />ps: Also found that water was dripping onto the negative post of the battery from the top of the sun deck, so now I know where the corrosion was coming from. That puppy is going in a battery box now<br /><br />good luck
 
4

400451501

Cadet
Joined
Jul 17, 2005
Messages
8
Re: lOST 12 VOLT POWER.

I have checked all of the battery connections and everything has been cleaned. i will check the fuse on the alt. i did not know it had one. i will use Don info if i can find it. I do not have power on either side of the breaker.
 
4

400451501

Cadet
Joined
Jul 17, 2005
Messages
8
Re: lOST 12 VOLT POWER.

i have not been able to locate Dons schematic. can someone point me in the right direction. this will help a great deal.
 
R

Ralph 123

Captain
Joined
Jun 24, 2003
Messages
3,983
Re: lOST 12 VOLT POWER.

Usually when you lose everything it comes down something like a lose main ground, lose main 12V, bad battery, lose main harness connector, bad battery switch or bad main breaker...<br /><br />Be sure to check the main engine harness connector. Pull it off, check the connections, grease it with some dielectric grease and plug it solidly back in and put a hose clamp on it to help ensure it won't vibrate loose. That harness carries 12V, Gnd, starting and ignition circuits and all the senders up to the helm. <br /><br />If you have a battery switch, check it. Check the connections and wires. <br /><br />Find your main fuse panel and check it. Find and check your main ground bus (where all your grounds are connecting probably on or near the main fuse panel). <br /><br />Check the ground that runs from your battery to the engine (that's the ground stud in Don's schematic).<br /><br />Sounds like you already checked the battery. If not, check it. Make sure the battery is good, all the connections are clean and tight and the wires are not corroded.
 
jlinder

jlinder

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Jul 5, 2004
Messages
1,086
Re: lOST 12 VOLT POWER.

You say you have power to the starter, but nothing to anywhere else. Did you check the inline fuse that is within 8 inches of the positive lead?<br /><br />If good, find the fuse panel, probably under console and see if you have voltage there.<br /><br />If not, find out which wire is open, the 12 volt or ground (negative).<br /><br />If you have 12 volts (12.6 really) then try turning on the ignition or something and remeasure. Voltage will probably drop way down.<br /><br />If so, check to see if the pos or neg has the voltage drop. Measure from the console to the battery terminal. Which ever one has a big voltage drop (over 1 volt or so) there is the problem.<br /><br />That is how to trouble shoot the problem. On the other hand there is real merit in the advice you have been given. Open and clean the battery connections. Look for corrosion or the green meanies. Once cleaned re-attach tightly and see if it works.<br /><br />One thing about electricity - make sure it is all clean, tight, and the connections are all good. <br /><br />If you do you had a much better chance of a fun time on the water. If not, it will bite you at the worst possible moment.
 
4

400451501

Cadet
Joined
Jul 17, 2005
Messages
8
Re: lOST 12 VOLT POWER.

I JUST WANTED TO THANK EVERYONE. IT ENDED UP BEING THE STARTER FUSE AT THE STARTER THANKS AGAIN TO EVERYONE.
 
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