1983 skeeter ss1 sportfisherman

[83 skeeter]

I have a 1983 skeeter ss1 with a Mercury 3 cylinder 70hp outboard. I replaced the water pump last month and let the boat sit in the garage after running it several differnt times, until last night. I connected a known good battery to the engine and the only thing that happened was that the starter began to run but not engage. The key switch will not operate the choke and I have no dash lights. I connected a test light and got power readings on what should have been grounds. I checked all fuses and found none blown.Any ideas?

 

[Spidybot]

Re: 1983 skeeter ss1 sportfisherman

If you're 100% sure you did not connect the battery wrong (pos<->neg) the only way to get power on an ground wire is when it runs through a device. If a device had gone bad (shortcut) or if an unwanted serial connection is made. Shortcuts can be made also from wires fallen off their proper connector, lying on ground. <br /><br />I'd start by disconnecting the battery and look over the whole harness. Then disconnect all devices (mark wires for reconnecting). Then do a systematic search for obvious errors and reconnect, starting with the starter circuit. <br />It takes a very good (not just good) battery to make the starter bendix engage and then crank the motor.<br /><br />If your circuits are not properly fused, this is the time to do so (use marine fittings).<br /><br />As in many situations a manual would prove worth it's price - schematics and troubleshooting is much easier going by the book.

 

[83 skeeter]

Re: 1983 skeeter ss1 sportfisherman

What I forgot to mention is that the starter would turn as soon as I connected the battery, without the key in the ignition. I do not have any thing but the battery cables from the engine connected. Normally, when i turn the ignition to acc, the dash lights will come on, and when I push in the key it will choke, but now nothing. I checked all of the wires and found no bad ones.

 

[Spidybot]

Re: 1983 skeeter ss1 sportfisherman

Ahh.. if the starter runs without you turning the key, something else is doing the key's job: Connecting power to the starter solenoid thus pulling the starter power into the starter motor itself. Or, the solenoid does not relaese when the key is released, stuck in the connecting position. Disconnect the solenoid and try reconnecting all the other stuff. The problem is 99,9% sure in the starting circuit. A major shortcut here will consume all your power in no time as the sole biggest power circuit is the starter. Big wiring, big clamps etc. are not used on these devices without reason