No power past the fuse panel

[BRAVO77]

I just purchased a 1982 Bayliner Capri 19.5 with the Force 125 O/B. There is power to the fuse panel but that seems to be where it ends. The prior owner last used the boat 2 years ago, pulled it from the water and parked it for over 2 years. Tried to start it today and nothing. Nav light, Bilge Pump and Engine tilt/trim work but thats it. the engine will crank when you jump the solenoid but have nothing at the ignition. Someone told me that a simple battery replacement will work. I've seen your posts and responses and will try what you say before going any further. I bought the boat for my family to enjoy and the neighbor who sold it to me has been working hard with me to find the problem. Can you help???

 

[Silvertip]

Re: No power past the fuse panel

If the trim and other items work why would you thnk a different battery is the answer? Current from the battery goes through the big red battery cable to the solenoid on the engine. From there it is distributed up the red wire in the engine harness to the "B" terminal on the ignition switch. From there it depends on the switch position as to where it goes. START = back to the starter solenoid. "I" to the ignition system on the engine. OFF = it goes nowhere. The solenoid cannot engage the starter if current does not make its way through that path. A test light or voltmeter is your friend and one can be obtained at any home improvement store or Radio Shack for about $10 - $15.

 

[glenn property of pam]

Re: No power past the fuse panel

just to make sure i understand what you are saying. biege, lights, trim work correctly but the engine does not start from the switch?.

if this is correct check under the cowling for inline fuses somethimes there are 2 of them. then check the shifter is in nuetral there maybe a saftey switch either under the cowl or in the controller that stops the motor from starting if its in gear (wiggle the shifter while turning the key some times works). a volt meter will be your best friend while trouble shooting like sivertips said as you can see if there is voltage at the small wires on the solinoid.

 

[oldslowandugly]

Re: No power past the fuse panel

Agree with the above. It could be the ignition switch but is probably the neutral safety switch. Verify that the ground is good since that is part of the start circuit. When you turn the key to "start" the starter solenoid gets 12 volts but on the other side the neutral safety switch gets grounded . Verify that the solenoid is getting 12 volts in "start" from the ignition switch and that the neutral switch is grounding. I dislike engine mounted neutral switches, the control box mounted ones are more precise. Since you can jump start the solenoid, you are on the right track.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: No power past the fuse panel

When you turn the key to "start" the starter solenoid gets 12 volts but on the other side the neutral safety switch gets grounded.

Doesn't work that way. Neutral safety switch is an inline switch between the ignition switch(starter output) and the starter solenoid. Nothing is getting grounded.

 

[glenn property of pam]

Re: No power past the fuse panel

Doesn't work that way. Neutral safety switch is an inline switch between the ignition switch(starter output) and the starter solenoid. Nothing is getting grounded.

there are diffrent ways that outboards are wired some break the pos others break the neg the question is on a Force 125 O/B which way is it according to a original wiring diagram.

 

[oldslowandugly]

Re: No power past the fuse panel

I'm more a Johnyrude guy and that's how mine works, maybe the Force is different. Either way if the start wire from key switch isn't getting 12 volts, or the neutral switch isn't closing, there will be no start.EDIT: Looks like the Force 125 is positive to the "interlock" and starter relay so BruceB58 is correct. However the solenoid does get grounded, and on my motor,('85 Evinrude 30 hp tiller) that same ground wire goes to the neutral safety switch attached to the gear shifter cam on the powerhead.http://http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=566638

 

[Silvertip]

Re: No power past the fuse panel

Switching a negative side of a circuit is pretty rare but things like temp sensors and circuits internal to electronic ignitions often do switch the ground side. Never saw a neutral interlock that did that however as it would take an up and back run of wire to do it. Switch the positive side and only one run is needed.