NO power when turning key

Just trying to get a jump on a few things before the season starts. At the end of last season I was having a problem with my 88 SN. It would start and run fine but sometimes when I would try to start it I would get no power to the starter or dash, no alarm, basically no power to anything. I was thinking the ignition key switch may be bad. Any other ideas

You can test your neutral safety switch on the transmission too. Easy check. The starter will not turn if it is not in neutral or switch is open.

Sounds like you have power to the switch because the engine will crank. Check for power on the "bat" terminal on the ignition switch anyway. Then check for power at the "ign" terminal with the key turned to the on position while wiggling the key. If you have power in and it's intermittent out, then change the ignition switch. Do you have a meter?

sounds like the NSS is going bad to me, causing the intermittent starting issue because it's not allowing current to go to the starter as that's what it does, prevents the starter from engauging when in gear.

attach both leads to the same post next time it happens and I bet it fires right up.

nc2001 wrote: dont know that much about it but if the NSS was going bad wouldnt it still allow power to the dash, guages, alarm, etc and just prevent the starter from turning.

no it will kill power everywhere. So either listen to what you are told or don't ask and then keep questioning who's right or wrong.

Because it sure sounds like you all ready know what the problems is in your mind but you are not getting the answers you are expecting to hear to back it up.

So either have an open mind and listen to the knowledgable ones here or fix it your self and quit waisting our time acting like you all ready know what the problem is and how to fix it, because your not even on the playing field right now.

Wrong Pete been here done that replaced the whole electrical system educating myself on the wrong way to fix the problem.

if the switch goes bad then it creates an open curcuit and you have no power to anything since it goes right back to the relay where everything else is feed from, soo if you want to keep him chasing his tail then knock your self out.

Jon,
I thought the wiring diagram would help you. You'll see that the ignition power (purple wire) is the power to the engine. The yellow via the NSS is to the solenoid for cranking. As mentioned, you should check at "IGN" terminal with the key turned to "on" as well as in the "start" position.

Did you lose power to everything with the key in the "run" (I) position as well as the "start" (S) position?

A better description of the problem would help. Theres a good chance Pete and Chris would agree on the diagnosis if they fully understood the symptoms.

just to clarify. Sometimes and I mean sometimes, its very intermitant but always happens in the wrong time/place. when I turn the key i get nothing. no power to starter and no power to dash, guages, etc. Same problem in "run" or "start". Ill check on the nss too 79.

not to bust any balls, i would check for a bad ground connection. im not doubting anything said here and they are very good troubleshooters, but if you knew the times that i went through all these checks and found a bad connection be it the positive cable or negative... its a good starting point, if it checks out go to the next step
note: if it happens you can put a test light on the positve side of the battery and then you touch the engine with the tester, it will light if you have a good connection

79,
I don't think people have a problem with your reading as much as your writing. You really don't seem to respect anyone but yourself. Maybe it's just a game you play, I don't know, but it really comes across disrespectful. Generally, when someone speaks to people the way you do I refer to it as "small man syndrome" but I have seen your picture, your not a small man physically. It's just not the norm for what the others here offer. Not everyone here has your extreme expertise. Check into Prozac. I have heard it has a calming affect. And, calming down could help your blood pressure.

I had a simular problem. I would reach up under the dash and wiggle the wires around on the ignition switch while holding the key on. It would fire right up. After crawling under the dash and looking, I found a loose wire.

Rglover wrote: 79, I don't think people have a problem with your reading as much as your writing. You really don't seem to respect anyone but yourself. Maybe it's just a game you play, I don't know, but it really comes across disrespectful. Generally, when someone speaks to people the way you do I refer to it as "small man syndrome" but I have seen your picture, your not a small man physically. It's just not the norm for what the others here offer. Not everyone here has your extreme expertise. Check into Prozac. I have heard it has a calming affect. And, calming down could help your blood pressure.

newbie that never have meet me and know what I'm about, I'm sorry if I'm to the point and don't sugar coat it for the cry babies or politically correct d*cks, say it how it is not so line of BS

Hello,

This may or may not help you, but my boat sometimes will not start also. After reading several post of this forum, I am now going to check and see if my Gear Shift Cabel needs a slight adjustment.

When my boat does not start, unlike yours, I still have power to the dash. Recently, I put on a new NSS and the first time out with the new switch, I had to bypass it to get the boat to start.

In-order to enquage the starter, I have to   move the shifter forward and reverse several times. This may be another thing to take a look at.

I hope ths helps,

Donald