Help boat is dead

[Bovegas]

Can you guys give me some suggestions what might happend with my boat. I have 2003 bayliner 1950 capri. Its mercruiser 3.0 engine. I took my batteries out over the winter. When i put one back i accidentaly reverse contacts. It was spark and it took main circuit braker on top of the engine out. Also it took out some gray block that look like relay but only 2 contacts. This block is about 8 inches far from main circuit braker. I reset the both and tried 2 start the boat. It turned over for a second and then there was no electricity for about 2 minutes. After 2 minutes gauges lights turned on but it want start the engine and there is no power to gauges. There is power for horn, gauges lights, bilge pump, stern motor and fan, but no power to gauges and cant start. Also i have checked voltage at main circuit braker imidiatelly after it happend and there was no voltage. After 2 min voltage was there. Any clue what could be wrong?

 

[Bt Doctur]

a corroded/dirty/loose connection someplace

 

[Scott Danforth]

start with cleaning your battery posts and all the contacts.

 

[ltklein]

I have a 1985 Chris Craft with the 3.0 as well - so this may/may not relate:

Next to my ignition switch I have a fuse - this is in addition to the breaker by the engine. Might see if you have a similar fuse in your Bayliner. You may have blown 1 or more of them.

The problem will likely be pretty limited in scope if you caught the issue when you were connecting. If you've turned the key while it was reversed, a bunch of other circuits may get involved.

Assuming it was caught right away, the always on things should be checked for melted wires/shorts (memory leads to stereo, etc.).

That's the visual end. Next step would be to get a voltmeter and check for voltage at the switch, solenoid terminals with eky in run and then again with key at start.

Other folks can run through those details better than I. I know the starting system but haven't had to locate the specific terminals on my boat.

Post up what you find...almost all problem posts never include the resolution. It's like a missing last chapter in a novel!

Good luck!

 

[QBhoy]

Get another battery and try it maybe.

 

[Bovegas]

Thank you, you guys are awesome. So here is what i did. I wanted to make sure is it ground or 12v issue. So i ran wire from ground on the battery to ground on the back of one of the gauges. Turned the key. Nothing
than i ran wire from 12v battery terminal to ignition terminal. Turned the key and got the power and i was able to turn the engine. So it looks like 12v wire that goes to ignition is culprit. Didnt get chance to trace it but most likely its loosing conection or its hanging on just thin wire. Because if i check voltage it got 12v but i guess not thick enough to accept enough currence. I am wondering where this wire goes in the engine compartment?

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,..... Welcome Aboard,...... Check the big black cannon plug on the motor, where the motor's wirin' harness meets up with the hull's wirin' harness,....

 

[Bovegas]

I did but its looks good

 

[ltklein]

Found this link for the wiring diagram for a Mercruiser 3.0 with and without points. Also has instrument wiring. It was a real quick search so I didn't vet it's for your model year.

It shows the connection from the battery to the solenoid and from the solenoid up to the connector. This I hope gives you the info you need to test continuity, voltage and resistance to the solenoid, to the connector and through the connector up to the ignitions switch.

This past week I unplugged my connector for the 1st time. I was surprised at how easily it unplugs...I thought it would have a lock or more friction (maybe it's supposed to?). Make sure yours is well seated. Possible as you move about the engine compartment you brush it and it connect/disconnects...

Not sure why but the full link won't post. Append this to the link and it will get you to the service manual.

http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/13/13E4R2.PDF​