Need basic electrical help

[golliday]

I tried to start my 1988 Bayliner Capri and all it did was make a buzzing sound. Since battery is three years old I got a replacement. I put battery in and the dash equipment lights up and trim works but when I turn the key I get nothing. The gauges all work but when I turn key the bottom out and then return to normal position. I assume that is normal.

I doubled check to make sure the ground and positive cables were connected correctly, I assume it is no different than a car in that respect. But since I get nothing when I turn the key I assume perhaps fuse or something?

Can someone give me some basic troubleshooting help here as what to check. The boat had not been started in a couple of months. I am not sure why I am having this issue.

Thank you

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: Need basic electrical help

If all the gauges bottom out when you turn the key to crank, you are drawing all the power to try to turn the starter. It is either bad or bound up. Take the starter off (if you have to) and turn the engine by hand, then turn the starter to. if both turn put it back on (if removed) and try again. if its still teh same have the starter tested by a shop. Not autozone.

 

[golliday]

Re: Need basic electrical help

Is the starter an easy replacement for a novice? I have changed starter in car before

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: Need basic electrical help

Is the starter an easy replacement for a novice? I have changed starter in car before

Easier than a car.

 

[golliday]

Re: Need basic electrical help

Thank you I will give that a shot tomorrow

 

[pnwboat]

Re: Need basic electrical help

If your neutral safety switch is broken or not adjusted correctly, you will experience the symptoms you are describing. Very simple fix.

You can also test the starter by using a set of jumper cables. Attach one end directly to the battery, on the other end attach the ground cable to the block and briefly touch the positive cable to the terminal on the starter. It will create a pretty good size spark, but this is normal. The starter will engage if it's good. If it doesn't, you either have a bad connection with your jumper cables or the starter is bad.

 

[tds1774]

Re: Need basic electrical help

I just changed the starter on my 125 86 model. anyone that can hold a wrench can change 1 on these starters. mine was acting so strange that I thought I had a bad stator. after spending 300.00 I found out it was the starter was burned up. another thing you might check is the trip breaker located at the bottom of the connection block its a little black box with a button on top. I lost power to everything and that was the prob. on mine hope this helpd

 

[golliday]

Re: Need basic electrical help

If your neutral safety switch is broken or not adjusted correctly, you will experience the symptoms you are describing. Very simple fix.

You can also test the starter by using a set of jumper cables. Attach one end directly to the battery, on the other end attach the ground cable to the block and briefly touch the positive cable to the terminal on the starter. It will create a pretty good size spark, but this is normal. The starter will engage if it's good. If it doesn't, you either have a bad connection with your jumper cables or the starter is bad.

Wow been a while since I have been on here. I did the above and I heard a small noise like something was spinning but it was faint. I am going to take the starter off this week and have West Marine test it for me. Would I be better off rebuilding this starter or buy another one?

 

[golliday]

Re: Need basic electrical help

If your neutral safety switch is broken or not adjusted correctly, you will experience the symptoms you are describing. Very simple fix.

.

Ok stupid question. Where is the neutral safety switch and what does it look like?

 

[golliday]

Re: Need basic electrical help

I just changed the starter on my 125 86 model. anyone that can hold a wrench can change 1 on these starters. mine was acting so strange that I thought I had a bad stator. after spending 300.00 I found out it was the starter was burned up. another thing you might check is the trip breaker located at the bottom of the connection block its a little black box with a button on top. I lost power to everything and that was the prob. on mine hope this helpd

Ok where would I find the connection block at?