My boat's allergic to water

[Rick Arndt]

Hope someone can offer some advice. I've got a 1981 Evinrude 140 outboard on a 17' Skeeter. My problem is that it keeps burning through the 20 amp. ignition fuse....the one just before the starter. Starter's brand new. It only burns through when the boat is in the water....can't duplicate the problem when the boat's on the trailer. I even dumped water into the bilge when it was on the trailer....still couldn't duplicate the problem.<br />When she's on the trailer, I can start her countless times with no problem. Put her in the water, and that fuse burns out on the first turn of the key.<br />I'm thinking it could be a short in the wiring harness, since some water does splash up over the transom when I back the trailer in. Anyone have any other ideas?<br />--Rick

 

[ob]

Re: My boat's allergic to water

Rick , Sounds like you have a short in your wiring somewhere.Inspect entire lenghth of large 12v cable from battery to starter solenoid for chaffing .Particularly under cowl where it could be going to ground on engine block.Do the same with the small 12v ignition wire from key switch to starter solenoid.Clean and tighten all engine block grounds as well.

 

[DJ]

Re: My boat's allergic to water

Rick,<br /><br />OB has great advice. <br /><br />Pay particular attention to the negative cable ground on the engine block. It may look OK, but these are notorious for corrosion developing under the wire ring eye. Take it apart and clean it.

 

[NJBOATS]

Re: My boat's allergic to water

Hope this helps you out . Try disconnecting the red cannon plug on the motor the next time out. This will let you know if its the boat or the motor. You will have to jump the starter relay to do this. Email me at bigfish221 at aol.com if you need to. LATERS