turn key and zero...nothing!

mah81164

Cadet
Joined
Aug 14, 2003
Messages
21
1986 Bayliner w/ a volvo penta 275 outdrive and a aq131a motor. I finished rebuilding the outdrive..ran it for 15 minutes w/ my motor flusher. I turned the motor off and then I went to start it again and Nothing. The light and guages on the dash are not even on. When I turn the key I get zero. My battery guage on my boat said 10 volts before it did'nt start. I checked the fuses and the y looked ok. What other areas can I check? It's a new battery,it has not been started for a week. It did get cold here a couple of nights...40 or so. :confused: Is there a circut breaker??
 

andrewgroup

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 23, 2003
Messages
115
Re: turn key and zero...nothing!

Recently there have been a series of posts of similar nature. I recommend you search this forum for click, nothing, etc. Many of the tips in a situation like this are:<br />1. Really Clean your battery post.<br />2. Disassemble and clean third party battery post connectors.<br />3. Clean the battery terminal connectors on the selenoids.<br />4. Jumper directly from the Battery + to the starter post (large standoff) to see if motor turns.<br />5. Using Voltmeter measure voltage drop from + of battery to the starter standoff.<br />6. Measure the voltage directly on the battery terminals.<br />7. Using sewing needles you can pierce wiring to get voltage drop measurements across the fuses.<br /><br />The Idea is to unquestionably know that the battery is producing +12v with suitable amperage to turn the starter. If their is no voltage drop across the wire going from the + to the starter, and the voltage measured when you attempt to turn the engine is the same at the + post and the starter and it is well below 12v then the battery is likely bad.<br /><br />If any resistance (corrosion) exists in the wiring it will cause a voltage differential across the wire when voltage/current is applied. In my case nearly 10 volts was dropped across the wire and the root cause was the aftermarket battery terminal posts where the wire was clamped down.<br /><br />Good luck and with a little detective work you'll get a better understanding on how this all works..
 

DC698

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Sep 6, 2003
Messages
138
Re: turn key and zero...nothing!

I had a similair problem with my OMC Cobra as Andrew had mentioned there are a few posts on the same subject. As Andrew had mentioned check all the connections from battery to engine...follow the trail to all power sources. My problem (It seems) was one of the 50A fuses that fed the main power to the engine. It was really corroded and the contacts were very dirty. Changed both fuses(The other 50A fuse is for the tilt/trim) to be on the safe side and havent had a problem since. (I'm hopeful that I solved the problem! But it hasn't re-occurred since I cleaned up the fuse contacts.) Same problem as your situation though.. turn key and nothing happened. Or somtimes turn key and the gauge showed maybe 5-6V. Then somtimes I would turn key on and it would be 12V and drop to 0V when I put on blower.<br />Good luck!!
 

mah81164

Cadet
Joined
Aug 14, 2003
Messages
21
Re: turn key and zero...nothing!

I thank both of you. I will follow the current and check all connections. Is all the fuses located under the steering wheel?? I have the older tube fuses. :p
 

mah81164

Cadet
Joined
Aug 14, 2003
Messages
21
Re: turn key and zero...nothing!

Well I clean both posts and black taped the wires. I did an extra tighten with a wrench a BAM! Took care of it! Thanks very much guys!<br /><br />Rob
 

DC698

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Sep 6, 2003
Messages
138
Re: turn key and zero...nothing!

Glad to hear it's working for you now. Moisture does a number on the electrical parts of an engine...especially a marine engine.
 
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