Weird Electrical problem

[swabino]

Put in a new battery this season, boat runs great, stars right up, but the blower, horn and all other switch operated components will not work. Any ideas? Thanks

 

[swabino]

Checked all the fuses behind the steering wheel, all OK.

 

[swabino]

Swapped switches still nothing. There is power to light the switch but no voltage on the wires to activate the device, horn blower or bilge.
Someone please tell me Im doing something stupid.

 

[00 challenger]

I am having the same problem right now so i cant wait to see what the problem is. do you have power to your stereo?

 

[swabino]

I didnt know it, but no, there is no power to the stereo.

 

[btabor25]

I had the same problem last year with my 06 challenger and couldn't find the problem myself. My buddy is a mechanic and in about 15 minutes he found out it was a ground problem. I also didnt have any use of my switches or radio, but the boat started and ran fine. Also you said that you just got a new battery so double check that is hooked up correctly.

 

[swabino]

Thanks. I went out and checked the ground connection and its secure. Just one black cable running from the battery to a post on the starter. The new battery does have a post with a nut on it and a typical post. Ive attached it to the one with the nut. Ive actually tried both, but it didnt help.

 

[gerrychuck]

When you changed the battery, did you make sure all the red wire connectors were reattached to the positive post on the battery? There is usually a separate connector for all the accessories and instruments. On my old boat, I would have to clean the contact off every spring and check the fuse on that wire; for corrosion, not to see if it was blown. Just an idea...GL with your troubleshooting in any case.

 

[WAJetboating]

>>Just one black cable running from the battery to a post on the starter<<

Many of Seadoo's boats from this era had a secondary, small guage black wire with a ring terminal that is separate from the big starter cable black wire. Check REALLY well for any unconnected black wires near the battery. Leaving that wire disconnected can cause all sorts of weird effects including the things you've described. I would be very surprised if your boat does not have a secondary ground lead running to the battery's negative terminal.

Report back!

 

[RFoster130]

My boat has a single red wire that goes from the battery to all those switches. Check to make sure you didnt leave a wire off.

 

[swabino]

Thanks for the replies. I get back on Thursday and I will check it out and let you know.

Thanks again.

 

[swabino]

There is in fact a second smaller negative cable. When hooked up all is normal. You guys are awesome. Thanks.

 

[WAJetboating]

There is in fact a second smaller negative cable.

I thought so!

When hooked up all is normal. You guys are awesome. Thanks.

We'll send you a bill. {grin}

Glad it's working. Have a great summer!

 

[fvcoachv]

Thanks too wajetboating. i bought an Islandia a couple of months ago and changed all the fuses but did not connect that second ground now many other things work. 1 down 100 more things to go.

 

[Phildoo]

Damn, that silly little boat gremlin that lives under your engine got you too.
Every nite before I take the boat out I place a rat trap in the engine compartment with a fuse as bait.
No luck yet. He's crafty.