1974 Bayliner 1850 discovery no power

[Waite]

So when I hook up my battery and try and turn the key to get the starter going nothing happens. I flick the pump switch on the dash and the pump starts to run and the lights behind the speedometer turn on to yet I can’t get my key to engage the starter. If you guys have any ideas of what the problem could be let me know. Thanks

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,...... Welcome Aboard,........ Try cleanin' the cable connections to shiny clean metal at the battery, 'n the starter post, 'n the ground on the block,......

If that don't fix it, test to see if ya got power to the battery terminal on the starter switch,.....

What motor ya got,..??..??

 

[Waite]

It’s a Volvo penta aq130c

 

[kenny nunez]

After doing what Bondo provided the next thing to check is the wire harness where the boat’s harness connected to the engine’s harness. I believe the the plug was square plastic. You will have to start tracing with a test light all the way to the instrument panel. What you have is one of the last push rod Volvo engines which were good and did not have as many cooling system problems as the overhead cam models.