New Boat Owner...So many questions...electrical issues possible...

[Vanderlinden]

Ok, here goes nothing...We bought a boat the other day. An 85 Bayliner. Couldn't beat the price...Boat/Motor/Tilt/Trailer all together. We figured there wan't going to be an issue after putting the boat in the water and no leakage...however There was no power to the motor what so ever...So we decided MEH...probably cuz there was no battery and the shifting cables were not connected...but they explained they will have them connected soon as we paid for it. No biggy. We pay for it get the boat home..put a battery in it and find out they connected the cables backwards...we would get power to everything but the motor. So when reversing the cables they reached the button on the motor and all of a sudden we get power. The tilt...would not move but could hear clicking...after some fiddling we got the tilt up..but will not go down...nothing but clicking...then all of a sudden no more key power to motor....looked into the solenoid because they had wired that backwards also. Rewired the solenoid but again back to no key power. No tilt power...but you can cross the solenoid and the motor will turn...but even though motor turns we don't see spark on the plugs...the solenoid is good..starter is good..wiring unsure...tilt goes up but doesn't go down...can't get the motor back down to fiddle with the motor anymore. A friend is supposed to stop over later with a volt meter and do some checking on it...my brother pointed out a few things we adjusted...Each step forward is hopeful but each step forward sometimes has step backwards.
1. How many little switches does this thing have that cuts power on you?
2. IS this solenoid actually wired correctly since they had obviously put things all over the place just to sell it?
3. We have been doing all this testing on a car battery..(I know i need a marine battery just don't have one quite yet) Is that even strong enough?
4. There are wires all up under the dash that just make no sense...the lights have a three way switch and they are not wired correctly as they light up all of three ways but not the ways required by DNR. left turns on front right turns on back middle turns them all on there seems not to be an off for daytime when the lights are not needed.
5. Anyone have any pics of something for a reference to look at that is wired correctly?
We are at our wits end with little to no budget left after buying it...We also noticed they drained the oil from the lower half of the unit and don't even have the nuts to refill and close it back up. I seriously think an idiot messed with it and had no clue what they were doing...I know we don't really know much about what we are doing but sheesh at least i am researching my butt off to find answers.

the motor itself is a Force 90 Make M 908F91E

 

[notsunkyet]

Re: New Boat Owner...So many questions...electrical issues possible...

Rofl sounds all too fimiliar!!! i bought a 86 capri and everything was so messed up im suprised it didnt burn down.... i had almost all the issies your having .. the best route i went was to get me 20 foor of 7 wire traier wiring (semi trailer light wire etc) and a new start switch and and a good wiring diagram and get after it..... after i go the right wires in the right places it fired right up ( i know imagine that) so basically get a good manual first!!!! eleminate the trivial wiring and only focus on engine wiring to see itf itll even run and then play with the other stuff...

 

[roscoe]

Re: New Boat Owner...So many questions...electrical issues possible...

Welcome to iboats.

This may all sound a bit harsh, but not meant to be.

Boats and motors need to be checked thoroughly before purchase.
And they need a 30 minute sea trial (lake test). You wouldn't start a car without starting it and driving it, right?

Ok, on to the repairs.

Before doing anything or spending any money, borrow a compression tester and check the compression on each cylinder.
There's no sense in trying to fix all the little things if the motor is shot.


You need to get a Clymer Force repair manual and read it, learn a little about the systems on that motor, and the general wiring for the ignition, ignition switch, solenoid, etc.


Battery, anything over 500 cca is plenty.

By connecting the battery cables backwards, you fried the voltage rectifier. Will need to be replaced or you will get stranded out on the water.

You need to get a Clymer Force repair manual and read it, learn a little about the systems on that motor, and the general wiring for the ignition, ignition switch, solenoid, etc.


Yes, the nav light switch is wired up wrong. Again, learn what you need to do before doing it, or you could do more damage.
I really wouldn't worry about the lights right now, as it seems you are a long ways from getting this boat on the water.

Tilt n trim, you need to check the fluid level, and wiring between the relays and the trim motor. Don't take the pump apart.

Not sure on the 1991 models, but I think there is only 1 main fuse/circuit breaker. Then there is the 6 terminal ignition switch, the neutral start switch, and the safety lanyard kill switch.

Do not start the motor.

The gearcase must be in water to start it, and you can't do that before getting the screw plugs and gaskets, and filling the gearcase with gear lube.

Sounds like you will also need a new water pump impeller.




One step at a time, slow and steady.