Lost all electronics-Where do I start

[swoulter]

I just trailered my boat across the country and prior to leaving the boat operated fine. Starting off day 2 the boats electronics operated fine. Today while going over the boat and hooking my new VHF radio up I realized I have no power to dash, instruments, ignition and lights in the cabin. There is still power to the engine trim which allows me to raise engine. Sterio also works, but it is wired straight to the batteries. I dont even know where to start. Fuses all look good. Maybe a wiring harness got knocked loose? I have a 1985 Searay Seville 21 Cuddy Cabin I/O. Anyone have a link to a wiring diagram? Im trying to get out before the oil hits any help would be appreciatted.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Lost all electronics-Where do I start

The instruments are powered from the accessory ("A") terminal on the ignition switch. The ignition switch to RUN and see if you have 12 volts on that terminal. If not, something happened in the engine harness. Could be the mating connector at the engine is loose, corroded or simply not making a good connection. Loss of ground connections can also create no power situatiions.

 

[swoulter]

Re: Lost all electronics-Where do I start

I will check that tommorrow morning. Also, I drove through some rain the second day that was getting undert the cover into the cockpit area of the boat. You think water getting in there would have any effect?

 

[zibzer]

Re: Lost all electronics-Where do I start

make sure you check the fuse (s) with a multimeter. sometimes they blow and you cant tell by looking at them. If they are all good use the multimeter and check the Line in side for 12v of each fuse holder. If no 12v, then trace wire towards battery and test every connection with the multimeter. eventually you'll find something bad. could be a corroded connection or a wire fell off somewhere.
Good luck! testing electrical is a lot easier than it seems!

 

[swoulter]

Re: Lost all electronics-Where do I start

So I did some probing today before the rain started pouring and this is were I am at currently. Keep in mind im using my little DC tester from the walmart electical wiring kit I bought. BUt. I have power to the starter on the motor itself and to the Wiring harness connector on the battery side. I took the bundle that ran to all the instruments and have positive power go to a few of the connectors on the big harness connector(Has like 10 different probes, I dont know the technical words to use). So I think my issue lies between the Harness coupler? and the gauges/lights/radio. The thing is there is no fuses in between and it has to be something fairly large considering nothing electircal works on the dash nor do the lights inside the cabin. I checked the ground cables I could find. Possibly something from hooking up my new radio yesturday shorting something?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Lost all electronics-Where do I start

Did you check for power at the "A" terminal on the ignition switch? If there is no power there nothing works. That's the entry point into the console.

 

[swoulter]

Re: Lost all electronics-Where do I start

I guess im not exactly sure where the a switch is then. I checked to see if any power was anywhere around the ignition at the dash but nothing. However, would that make a difference? The electronics(i.e. blower, horn, radio, etc work without the ignition being on?)

 

[zibzer]

Re: Lost all electronics-Where do I start

So I did some probing today before the rain started pouring and this is were I am at currently. Keep in mind im using my little DC tester from the walmart electical wiring kit I bought. BUt. I have power to the starter on the motor itself and to the Wiring harness connector on the battery side. I took the bundle that ran to all the instruments and have positive power go to a few of the connectors on the big harness connector(Has like 10 different probes, I dont know the technical words to use). So I think my issue lies between the Harness coupler? and the gauges/lights/radio. The thing is there is no fuses in between and it has to be something fairly large considering nothing electircal works on the dash nor do the lights inside the cabin. I checked the ground cables I could find. Possibly something from hooking up my new radio yesturday shorting something?

Troubleshooting 101 Electrical:

1. Test Source (battery Check!)
2. Test known fuses (Check!)
3. Test for power from the Problem (ie instruments) back toward the source. (not the other way around)

If you do it this way you're guaranteed to find the problem, at least assuming you have basic knowledge of electrical

I work in the electrical trade and I find this to be the best way of troubleshooting complicated electrical systems... though the boat should be much less complicated. if you check problems at random spots it is very easy to lose track of whats going on and/or test the wrong thing.. at least in my experience