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No auxilary power

matt288

matt288

Member
Hey all, so I'm getting to know my new boat (on land) and have been playing with stuff, I've found I have no power to any of the aux stuff, horn, blower, lights, interior stuff. It has shore power (haven't plugged it in yet), and the tester shows battery power,(and its switched to battery) but none of this stuff is working. The fuses all look good, but I'm not sure if I have a problem or just don't know how to switch or work the power panel. I've tried this stuff with the port engine key in the on position, haven't tried it with starboard key in the on position only because I'm having a starter issue there. But in my old boat I don't need to have a key on for stuff to work, I can turn the blower or the bilge or the lights on any time.
Thanks for your patience and help, Matt
 
This is just me, but I don't have any accessories going thru my key switch. Just the engine. Everything else is on breakers. You might want to do the same.
 
Its an 81' Cruisers 26 vee sport, twin 350's I/O. I have a mercruiser manual that I'm reading like a novel ( beginning to end), because I figure I have the time. I don't plan on putting it in the water this year, just learn it and prep for next year. I'm finding out how little I really know very quickly. I'll try the other key for the other motor, but I'm going to side with o2batsea and guess that the keys are only for the motors. (but I may very well be wrong). Just confused all, and hoping someone may have a simple answer. I'm sure I'll learn it, I just want to know ALL of it now..lol Thanks for your time guys, Matt
 
I have toggle switches on the dash, (and buttons for horn and trim tabs), but no fuses there, the fuses are on the power swiching panel in the "downstairs" area (cuddy?) not sure its still a cuddy. And thats where I switch between shore power and ship power. I was reading a bit, and was curious about a possible bad relay coil being suspect for both my starter issue (different posting no start starboard engine) and all my auxilary stuff. I also noticed one of my 3 batteries is completely dead.
 
...(and its switched to battery)...I also noticed one of my 3 batteries is completely dead....
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Start w/the dead battery. Follow the starter wiring to find out which battery it goes to and determine which one is aux. power. Check the main breaker red pushbutton on each engine if it won't turnover. There is a STARTER SWITCH solenoid on the starter and a KEY START solenoid at the main breaker that tells the STARTER SWITCH solenoid to engage the starter. Either one or both could be defective.
 
Thanks Guyjg, thats EXACTLY the advice I was looking for couldn't have said it better if I'd of known how to say it myself !!! I will absolutely do just that, I was trying to figure out how to check that whole "mess". I may be able to do it in the morning, but more than likely I won't be able to post any results till monday. But I can't wait to find out now.. Thanks again Guyjg, and Chiefalen as well, you guys are a credit to this forum.
 
Hey all, got to spend a couple of hours playing with my boat today. Found out a couple of things. First, I isolated the 3 separate batteries, looks like my aux battery is probably dead, used jumper cables and attached one of the engine batteries to the aux battery and had all my auxilary stuff, tried to jump my starboard engine to see if that somehow would effect my starting issue. It didn't, up close and personal when I turn my ignition key I can hear the selonoid click.... and a second later...you can hear the starter slowly click "engage", and then do nothing. Oh, and I was able to spin the engine by hand w/a 3/8" ratchet, so I know it isn't seized. Knowing that I'm leaning towards a simple (or not so simple) bad starter. As far as the aux stuff I need to learn how to use my shore power. The boat has an automatic dc convertor/charger, that will automatically charge my batteries, but untill I understand how that works I'm not going to leave it hooked up unattended. I think getting to know this Boheamuth is going to be fun.
 
...tried to jump my starboard engine to see if that somehow would effect my starting issue. It didn't, up close and personal when I turn my ignition key I can hear the selonoid click.... and a second later...you can hear the starter slowly click "engage", and then do nothing....
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You may have a weak start battery. Both of the good batteries need to be load tested. If they are 3 years old then "I would personally replace them both" in the spring with quality brands when you start boating. In the mean time put a full charge on them and clean the battery posts and both ends of each battery cable on all batteries and the engine mounting surface for the ground cables.

Its an 81' Cruisers 26 vee sport, twin 350's ...
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You may need to replace the engine battery cables due to age and internal corrosion of the copper wire strands. You can check the positive battery cables for voltage drop using a good DVM. I change them when the voltage loss from the battery to the starter is more than 0.025 volts. Also check the ground cables for resistance w/the DVM; the cable should be nearly a dead short or just a few ohms.

As both a precaution, PM item and "my own sense of reliability" I would take a look at the engine KEY START solenoids. If the top terminals are blackened then there is a good chance that the internal contactors are burned which will reduce their current carrying capacity and cause intermittent starter problems. "They are a cheap item to replace." If the engine starters are questionable then pull them and have them refurbished by a reputable shop. They might need new brushes and lubrication. The attached solenoids can also be serviced or replaced.

Inspect the entire ignition system and components and service/replace as needed. Don't forget to inspect the engine accessory belts. Replace them if they are glazed, checked or hardened.

I know many of the readers and members believe "If it ain't broke don't fix it". I personally believe the same to an extent. However, when dealing w/an "old boat" that you just obtained there are too many inexpensive preventive things that can be done now before they become a problem while on the water and ruin a trip. I know the boat has two engines but the previous owners may have neglected general PM other than oil and spark plug changes.

Another item I prefer to inspect and clean are the wire connections on the alternators. Corroded connectors are easy to replace--I solder and shrink tube the new connectors. I also check for voltage drop in the orange alt. output wire that goes to the starter/battery connection. Any wire that I work on gets the bare ends tinned then soldered to the connector.

I know some of you think I'm being anal but I also would inspect and clean, repair or replace all the wire connections on an old boat engine and the helm gauges and switches. All the above being performed on an old boat lets me feel secure that the boat will perform well for a long time. JMHO
 
Very valid points, all, and intend to start tackling the majority of that stuff soon. I've taken abunch of pics, and haven't gotten under the dash yet. I will be replacing the batteries, and quite honestly the possibility of a bad battery cable is very good, the battery cable runs from the port side(battery), under both engines laying in water from.. who knows..to the starboard side starter. that could absolutly be an issue, even if the starter is bad that needs to be addressed. Thanks Again Guyjg, you'll be hearing plenty from me, I'll update this issue in a day or two.
 
the battery cable runs from the port side(battery), under both engines laying in water from.. who knows..to the starboard side starter.
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On my old Baretta I had to run cables 16' for a 65 lb. 24 volt trolling motor I installed on the bow and didn't like the cheap 10 ga. cables available. I went to the local electric supply business, purchased welding cable (finer copper strands--better current flow) and made my own. I used a propane torch to solder the lugs held in a vice.
 
Thats actually how I solder most of my connections, even for #12 or #16, (just use a smaller torch). I'll start looking for better cable today. Though I don't know if I'll go welding cable or not... Kinda pricey, and I just blew my wad on a big ol' boat lol.
 
Update all, Looks like my starboard starter is in fact shot, at least everything up to the starter is good, removed the starter cable, and swapped cables from engine to engine and the starboard battery and cables were able to start my port engine, but my known good battery and starter cable (port side) won't start my starboard engine. So thinking I'm going to try to pull my starter this weekend. I know of 2 bolts for sure not sure if theres more or not. Also was able to get a picture of I believe the model of starter SAE J11 71 MARINE, if that can help anyone identify this starter, I'd just like to know how many bolts? Are they all vertical or is there any hortizontal? Appreciate it all, Matt
 
Thanks again Guyjg, you've really helped and I appreciate it, hopefully I'll be able to tell you how good the engine sounds in a few days. I've been able to "feel" a lot of hardware down in that area, but was clueless to a bracket.. I'da been in tears with those 2 starter bolts out and the thing still not budging. I'll keep ya'll posted. Thanks
 
You're welcome. Before you remove the two bolts on the starter front you might want to loosen the bracket nuts on booth ends. Tie a strap around the center of the starter and anchor the other end to help hold it up. Apply some penetrating oil to the nuts and bolts the night before or even 2-3 times. Good luck.
 
Alright starter update, after a solid week of work and no time off, went to the boat place I deal with and started talking with the mechanics, they cut me a pretty good deal to swap the starter, and give the boat a good once over, then walk me thru it let me know where any issues are going to be. So, looks like I'll be taking my boat in tomorrow, and hopefully get a crash course in big boat ownership. Tell ya what, between the guys on this forum, and the local boat shop I've got a pretty good support crew. I'll update soon.
 
There are some short videos on YouYube about Mercruiser operation and general maintenance "How To" for many items. When you get a chance take a look.

Good luck and enjoy.
 
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