08 Challenger 180se dead in the water ?

[waterotter]

Hi folks , Happy 4th july to all , except me . Towed my '08 challenger to the chesapeake bay to take out family for a boat ride. I got the boat started fine and was idling in the water waiting for the trailor parker when suddenly and without any warning boat cut-off. It had run for about 4 or five minutes , then cut - off . Paddled back to dock and checked fuses at battery switch - were ok. I have no idea . I put key in and nothing happens , no lights, no beeps, - nothing at all. The boat only has about 20 hours and this has never happened before. Any ideas on a quick fix would be welcomed. I really do not want to tow to the dealer(hour one way)if at all possible.

 

[yardawg]

I had a similar issue with mine, except I still had power to the accesories. I just lost power to the engine and starter. I think I've narrowed it down to a ground issue. I'm sure you check the hi amp breaker switch right by the main power switch. That got me once.

 

[waterotter]

I checked the three fuses that come off the on/off battery switch , but I am not familiar with the hi amp breaker. Accessories work on mine as well ,blower, horn etc, I just have no dash lights , beeps , starter at the dess. I will look for the hi amp breaker you mentioned though. If I cannot find it I might need a description of location and what it looks like. One other thing I did hear from the mechanic at the dealership is the dess post might be damaged. I do not see how , with only 20 hours on the boat but repair of the dess post is gonna cost 200 smackers, estimated. This is why I bought a new boat , was to get away from these type of repair cost and down time. Anyway I will look for the breaker you mentioned , hopefully that is the problem. Thanks for the info , I'll post if and when I find the problem. Have you bought a manual for your boat?

 

[yardawg]

I feel your pain. I bought new for the same reason. I don't have the manual. I was counting on the dealer repairing it when necessary. The one in 20 minutes away closed down, now I have to go to Savannah to the PWC dealer. They don't know much about the boats. There are two different setups on the 2008 180's. Mine has the main power switch in the back. Directly next to it on the left (if you're looking down from the seat) is a breaker. It is a little red test button that you can push and it will trip a lever that swings out from the side. I doubt that is your problem.

Yours sounds similar to mine, except now I have figured out it will crank if I turn the navigation lights on. If I turn them off, the boat dies. I'm sure they are both simple problems. Good luck. I'm going to start cleaning all my ground connections and see what happens.

 

[waterotter]

Thanks, I'll try the test button if equipped. If that doesn't do it and after checking aything else I can think of, I guess it's back to the shop. Good luck with yours and I will let you know how it all turns out.

 

[waterotter]

Hi , just got back from trip to the dealer , Found a 15a fuse with a ton of corrosion on it. Popped in a new fuse and coated with dielectric grease and all is good. Nick is a good guy , he checked it while I was there , so I got to bring it back home. He said the fuse holder was basiclly lying in the bottom of the hull . We tied it up to raise it out of the hull (should have been done at factory). He said the dess buttons usually go bad gradually. Anyway thanks again for the info. you provided and good luck with yours, Scott.

 

[yardawg]

Do you know which fuse it was? I just switched out the relay and it didn't solve my problem. I also took out the three grounds on the front of the block and cleaned and greased them. Didn't work either. I guess tonight I'll just start testing connectors. Hopefully I can find them all.

 

[waterotter]

Heah ,Yeah, There were two inline fuses front on the bottom right of the motor if facing the rear. THey were to low in the hull and got corroded , at least one 15a did. I was getting no beeps or dash lights . I believe at least one is a ecm fuse. ? I think I am going to fork over the money for a maual, seeing as I owe 20000. later scott