What is this connector? Got stranded on lake!

[2000fourwinns]

Hello,
We just bought a 2000 Four Winns Horizon 200 with the 5.0L Gi engine. I had the gimble bearing replaced and both bellows a few weeks back and finally was able to take it out for the first and last time of the season yesterday. Everything was fine for a couple of hours. We ran up and down the lake and stopped several times just to chill. The last time we stopped was on the shore to let the dog use the bathroom. We were listening to the radio with the key to the right instead on ACC to the left (I did not realize that until diagnosing why it would not start). Anyway, I turned on the blower and after a minute or so hit the key, and nothing. I immediatley thought of the kill switch but that was not it. Then I remember the previous owner saying she got stranded one time and it was a blown fuse. I checked every fuse and breaker I could find without success.

Long story a little shorter, I found a two wire connector right behind one of the fuel pumps (beside the breaker box) that was not plugged into anything. I checked with a test light and had voltage on one of the terminals. I tried to find a plug somewhere on the engine or in the bildge for it but there was nothing. I took an aligator clip to short the two terminals and it finally would crank. I took off the aligator clip and it started right up and we drove back to the launch.

I don't know if this is just coincidence or what but it started after being dead for an hour.

Also, every time I would turn the key to start, I got a few beeps through the stereo speakers. I have not idea what that means if anything. I do get the low oil pressure alarm everytime it starts for just a second or two.

I will try to put up a few pictures of this plug if I can.

Thanks for any help.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: What is this connector? Got stranded on lake!

That looks like the trim sender connector, I'll bet you trim gauge doesn't work?
I wonder about that hose clamp on your main harness, doesn't look like it should be there.

 

[2000fourwinns]

Re: What is this connector? Got stranded on lake!

I am pretty sure the trim indicator worked after getting it started again. I have no idea about the hose clamp.

 

[Don S]

Re: What is this connector? Got stranded on lake!

What color wires are going into the connector? There are a couple of connectors in that harness that are not use. So you have probably found one of them.

Your main harness connection shouldn't be pulled to one side like that, eventually, it will cause a problem.

 

[2000fourwinns]

Re: What is this connector? Got stranded on lake!

The wire colors are:black, and white with a blue tracer. I did find a few other connectors not being used, but this is the only one I found that is made like that. The others are just plain clear or white plastic connecters. I have no idea whether this one is used or not, but it started after shorting it.

When you say "pulled to one side", do you mean where the tie wrap is holding it? I don't know what it is supposed to look like.

Also, any ideas about the strange beeps coming from the speakers? I don't know if that is some kind of code or something trying to tell me something was wrong. I does not do it when it is working correctly. Very strange.

 

[2000fourwinns]

Re: What is this connector? Got stranded on lake!

Just a thought. Can the motor be started with the stern all the way up? I have not tried to do that just wondering if something had it locked out. That is what it seemed like because everything else worked perfectly, it just would not start. Like something had it locked out.

 

[DBreskin]

Re: What is this connector? Got stranded on lake!

"pulled to one side" does refer to the tie wrap holding the wire harness to the engine lift ring. Pulling the harness like that may put too much strain on the harness and cause a wire failure or short, and possibly break the connector.

The engine will start with the drive in the full up position but you shouldn't do it. Running the engine with the drive full up puts excessive strain on the gimbal bearing and u-joints. You should lower the drive at least halfway before cranking the engine. Some trim systems differentiate between "trim" (range for operating the boat) and "trailer" (full up for trailering).

 

[2000fourwinns]

Re: What is this connector? Got stranded on lake!

Ok, thanks for that. The boat we used to have (1984 Sportcraft 3.0L 4cyl) had a tilt switch and a separate trim switch so you could not accidently raise the stern too far while it was running. I have not done that on this boat, but I was just wondering if I had a connector or wire somewhere that was not making contact that was causing it not to start for safety reasons.

 

[cr2k]

Re: What is this connector? Got stranded on lake!

Have to check a wiring diagram, but I think that is the trim limit sender.

 

[muc]

Re: What is this connector? Got stranded on lake!

Hi, That's the shift interrupt. Volvo added that connector in case someone wanted to re power a cobra or alpha drive.
Shorting the two pins will stall the engine.
Might be time to check ALL the powers and ALL the grounds.
Good Luck Muc

 

[2000fourwinns]

Re: What is this connector? Got stranded on lake!

When I shorted the two pins, I only turned the key long enough to see if it would crank. When it did crank, I turned off the key and took off the aligator clip from the connector so the two pins were open once again. Then when I cranked it, it started. All this may be coincidence, but I am not sure.

Everytime I start it, I get low oil pressure alarm for a second or two then it goes off for the rest of the time it is running. But I read in my manual that it will still run with low oil pressure or high water temperature but is limited to 2500 rpms. So that should'nt be it either.

Thanks for all the help.

 

[2000fourwinns]

Re: What is this connector? Got stranded on lake!

Do you think maybe I just happened to wiggle some connector while looking over the wiring harness, and that was the problem? Also, can I use regular automotive dielectric grease for all the electrical connectors? I will take that hose clamp off of the main connector and inspect it to see why it is on there. All the time I was dead in the water, the fuel pump still ran every time I turned the key to on.

 

[scipper77]

Re: What is this connector? Got stranded on lake!

Just read about your problem and that just sucks!! There's nothing more frustrating than an intermittent electrical problem. I thought DON S had a sticky for tracking down starting problems but I couldn't find it (I didn't look all that hard).

 

[tkrfxr]

Re: What is this connector? Got stranded on lake!

Just make sure your throttle is in neutral....

Many people go frolicking on the lake and do not let the throttle click back into neutral, then complain that the boat won't start....

It could be as simple as that.

 

[Don S]

Re: What is this connector? Got stranded on lake!

Just went back over your original post. You seem to have several issues. Your starting issues is likely that main harness plug.
The back of it is pulled to the right in the picture, it should be coming straight out.
It also looks like it's not pushed all the way on the engine side. Loosen the clamp and see if it will push on further, then just snug the clamp, to not tighten and distort the plug. Cut the cable tie and get everything straight. If the pins in the plug are pulled to one side, and not all the way in, that may be why it won't start.

Next is your wiring. Get your stereo off the ignition switch completely. There are accessorie switches and fuses for that. The ignition switch is for the engine only.

 

[dbkerley]

Re: What is this connector? Got stranded on lake!

The beeping you are hearing in the speakers may be coming from the stereo itself. I had one that included a security function that beeped whenever it powered up.

 

[2000fourwinns]

Re: What is this connector? Got stranded on lake!

I did check the neutral positon several times as well as the kill switch. I tried to eliminate the obvious first.

I will definately check the main harness plug and try to clear up the wiring and tie wraps a little. I am not sure what you mean about getting the stereo off the ignition switch. It only works if in the accessory position or run position. I am pretty sure the stereo is on a separate fuse under the helm, but I will check to be sure.

The beeping may be only on power up, but I never remember hearing the beeps when everything works properly. I will try it again before winterizing.

Is it OK to put dielectric grease on all the electric connections, or is there something better made for the marine enviroment?

Thanks for all your responses, it is helping a great deal.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: What is this connector? Got stranded on lake!

What do you want to bet that the hose clamp is there because the main harness kept pulling itself loose?

 

[2000fourwinns]

Re: What is this connector? Got stranded on lake!

Very well could be. I did not know what it is supposed to look like anyway. I am going to go over all the connections really well and tidy it up a bit.

 

[2000fourwinns]

Re: What is this connector? Got stranded on lake!

I took the hose clamp off and the connector off while winterizing. The connector seems to be tight without the hose clamp and the pins were very clean with no corrosion. I put the hose clamp back on because it may help keep it clean and dry. I started and ran it several times on the muffs with no problems. I have no idea what caused it to not start that day. I was hoping to find something.