At a loss...
 

I have a 93 23' bow rider with a 350 mercruiser magnum (carburetor), that I shorted out trying to fix the rpm gauge. The rpm gauge was not working, so I removed the whole cluster to find a loose wire hanging from the tach that was labeled "ground", so I just "assumed" it came loose somehow, but I could not see where it would have come from since it had a female connector on it, but I could not see a male connector anywhere within it's reach, so, with the boat idling, I touched the dangling wire to one of the screws holding the gauge in place to see if the gauge would work... The boat just died. I have no power to the engine, or gauges whatsoever. No click, no nothing, but all the accessories still work, blower, power engine hatch, trim tabs, lights, etc, etc... I reset every breaker on the panel, but still have no power to the gauges/engine. Obviously, I tripped a breaker, or blew a fuse somewhere, but I can't find it for the life of me! There is no "in line" fuse under the dash anywhere that I can see, and I found 2 in line fuses on the engine, but both were good, and the 50amp breaker on the engine didn't need to be reset... Now I am at a loss as to where to look. Any suggestions before I have to bring it somewhere...

Sounds like you grounded out an ignition wire. I am not 100% sure on boats, but on a car there should be a hot wire while cranking and a hot wire constant once ignition is on. The dead short could have fried a wire somewhere before it blew a fuse. What screws on the gauge were you touching it to? The tach should receive an electrical signal from the distributor/cam sensor, not sure what would happen if you dead shorted it. Hopefully that gives you some direction to look in, sorry i couldn't be of more help.

I'd also check the ignition itself, see if it is getting power and then work to the source from there.

For anything electrical, if you need help call Nick at NW Marine Industries.

www.nwmarineindustries.com/

You are going to need a multi-meter to start checking things..... Start with the ignition key switch and work your way back! You might be able to find a wiring diagram for your boat online.

Woodsy

NW Marine
 

I second the recommendation for calling Nick, 207-266-1888

Don't you just hate when stuff like this happens?
Good Luck with the fix.

There may be a fuseable link in the ignition circuit. A fusable link is not a "fuse" but rather a short section of wire that is designed to melt should to much current flow through it to protect against a potential fire.

Really as suggested bust out a multimeter that will be the only way to see if you have power going to and out of your ignition switch. If you have a fuse block I'd start there and make sure you have power where you should then go from there to the ignition switch and so on. Having a schematic in this case would be really helpful to map out how things are wired.

One thing to remember with a boat there really is no chassis "ground" it's typically operating off a floating ground, possibly in line off the engine block or off the battery itself.

I will be calling Nick at NW Marine. Thanks for all the tips and/or advice, appreciate it very much.

I third the recommendation for calling Nick, 207-266-1888.

He knows his stuff and is very good. Local marinas are using him for wiring and electrical issues. Good work and a fair price.

Turned out to be the kill switch lanyard somehow shorted out. All set to be back on the water this weekend!!

Awesome news see you up there!!

This is a great outcome!

Congrats!

A Winni Forum rafting party in the north!

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Yes, I will be looking for you! I hope your vacation remains uneventful as far as boat problems go... You have definitely earned it the last couple weeks trying to get that boat ready. Enjoy!!

Well it hasn’t been quite as uneventful as I had hoped we were stranded in the bay today with a no start while trying to swap out skiers for tubers this afternoon! I am thinking battery, might be alternator, but I’ll have her fixed up ready to roll tomorrow am!! We are up in Buzzels cove if anyone wants to meet up for a beer and shooting of the breeze!

Check your starter solenoid relay


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