Dead~!

[tapenick]

Picked up a 90 Sport Nautique last week... started fine, cut it off and 'hot started' it several times during the test run. Previous owner suggested that I change the battery terminals so I checked them... seemed okay though.

Well, took it to the lake today - no start. Nothing, dead as a doornail. No gauge activity, blower, bilge, etc will not run. Tried cleaning the terminals / posts, still nothing.

Came back home, replaced the terminals, cleaned more, still nothing. Took the batt to AutoZone, checked good. Put a volt meter on the part of the leads that I could see sticking out of the terminals, checking good.

Seems like some sort of master breaker may be tripped, any ideas?!


Tom

[bkhallpass]

RE: Dead~!

Well, let's start with the most obvious and go from there.

Are you positive that you depressed the "ignition" button on your breaker pannel?

Does the boat have a lanyard switch, and if so, is the lanyard attached?

BKH

[boatech]

RE: Dead~!

check the inline fuse at battery as well

[tapenick]

Re: RE: Dead~!

Well, let's start with the most obvious and go from there.
Are you positive that you depressed the "ignition" button on your breaker pannel?

No, not sure I did that. Where's the breaker panel?

Does the boat have a lanyard switch, and if so, is the lanyard attached?

Did check this, lanyard is attached. Removed and reattached just for good measure. Also, none of the guages / accessories work and I didn't think the cut-off switch controled those?

[tapenick]

Re: RE: Dead~!

check the inline fuse at battery as well

Didn't see a fuse at the battery... on this one the battery is in the center of the rear seat and the leads quickly go out of sight under the right and left of the seat. Is the fuse under the seat?

[bkhallpass]

RE: Re: RE: Dead~!

Tapenick,

I'm not terribly familiar with the 90 sport. However, if I recall correctly, by 1990, the
boats have six or 8 buttons to the right of the stearing wheel, they will say bilge, lights, etc.
These are breaker switches. One button should say ignition. This controls master power to the
whole boat. If it is not depressed, you won't get power. Again, somewhat obvious. Only reason I'm thinking it is a possiblity is that the neighbors bought a 93 and couldn't figure out why it wouldn't start. When I went next door, that was exactly the deal. They were turning on the key, but didn't know that had to depress the
ignition button. BKH

[tapenick]

Re: RE: Re: RE: Dead~!

Tapenick,

I'm not terribly familiar with the 90 sport. However, if I recall correctly, by 1990, the
boats have six or 8 buttons to the right of the stearing wheel, they will say bilge, lights, etc.
These are breaker switches. One button should say ignition. This controls master power to the
whole boat. If it is not depressed, you won't get power. Again, somewhat obvious. Only reason I'm thinking it is a possiblity is that the neighbors bought a 93 and couldn't figure out why it wouldn't start. When I went next door, that was exactly the deal. They were turning on the key, but didn't know that had to depress the
ignition button. BKH

You're the man. I feel like a doofus. My only saving grace is that I suspected some sort of 'master cutoff'.

Exactly right, I activated the Ignition switch and now have power.


Thanks!!!
Tom

[bkhallpass]

RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Dead~!

Your'e not the first. At least you asked the question, and missed only a day on the water, and not
weeks. Glad you've discovered the problem. BKH

[Rick]

RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Dead~!

Don't feel bad. Deep in our hearts we are all Homer Simpson. Just ask your wife... Now that it's running you should find out what kicked the breaker. It may have been the bad terminals. However, I would check the ground wire where it attaches to the motor. You have replaced it at the battery end so that should be good. I would also check the power wire to the dash. Corrosion accounts for about 90% of all electriccal problems in a boat. It's better to find it and clean it in the garage than with 3-4 people standing watching on the ramp. Welcome to the club.

[tapenick]

Re: RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Dead~!

Now that it's running you should find out what kicked the breaker.

Thanks for the suggestion... but it wasn't even a tripped breaker. Just the switch was off.