No Power (electrical) in 79. FUSES?

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   hey all - 

new member here, and new owner of a 79 skitique.   I am having problems starting my boat, or getting ANY power to the dash.  The really frustrating was that I had it completely overhauled at a boat repair shop, and they did a host of things... and said "it was running perfectly when it left our shop".  I've done the basics:

tested battery (fully charged)
changed relay fuse on battery (3v)
changed out starter solenoid
banged head against wall.

I can jump the boat at the solenoid, meaning there is power from the battery.   But nothing to the dash/jumper is where I'm confused.   Speaking of fuses (pun intended), I'm not checking / replacing the fuses in the dash, and am finding they are all different:
LEFT TO RIGHT - 
lighter was empty
ignition was 6Amp/32v
pump is 25amp/32v
horn is 7.2amp/250v??
nav (I can't open it.

ANYONE KNOW WHAT FUSES ARE SUPPOSED TO BE USED?   Seems a smorgasboard.
Any other thoughts?

Thank you!   Eric

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edamario Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: July-13-2019 Location: Holliston MA Status: Offline Points: 58	Post Options Post Reply Quote edamario Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: No Power (electrical) in 79. FUSES? Posted: July-24-2019 at 12:20pm
	hey all - new member here, and new owner of a 79 skitique. I am having problems starting my boat, or getting ANY power to the dash. The really frustrating was that I had it completely overhauled at a boat repair shop, and they did a host of things... and said "it was running perfectly when it left our shop". I've done the basics: tested battery (fully charged) changed relay fuse on battery (3v) changed out starter solenoid banged head against wall. I can jump the boat at the solenoid, meaning there is power from the battery. But nothing to the dash/jumper is where I'm confused. Speaking of fuses (pun intended), I'm not checking / replacing the fuses in the dash, and am finding they are all different: LEFT TO RIGHT - lighter was empty ignition was 6Amp/32v pump is 25amp/32v horn is 7.2amp/250v?? nav (I can't open it. ANYONE KNOW WHAT FUSES ARE SUPPOSED TO BE USED? Seems a smorgasboard. Any other thoughts? Thank you! Eric
	'79 Skitique - first boat

KENO Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Grand Poobah Joined: June-06-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 11093	Post Options Post Reply Quote KENO Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: July-24-2019 at 1:30pm
	How are you with wiring diagrams? A good answer would be "I'm pretty good" Here's a diagram for your 79 or at least how it was built You probably have an ammeter in the dash and should follow that part of the wiring diagram unless it was replaced with a voltmeter. In the last 40 years there may have been some changes by previous owners. Unless you have the world's biggest bilge pump I'd swap the bilge pump and ignition fuses. Say a 6 amp for the pump and the ignition fuse should be 20 amps. That relay fuse on the battery is probably one of those changes that somebody made over the years. It didn't come that way Using a multimeter and checking voltages along the flow path from the battery to the solenoid to the dash should find your problem .

KENO Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Grand Poobah Joined: June-06-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 11093	Post Options Post Reply Quote KENO Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: July-24-2019 at 1:45pm
	The above diagram doesn't show the neutral safety switch . It's in the white wire between the key switch and the solenoid "S" terminal, but if you're not getting power to the dash that shouldn't be your problem. If you do have power to the dash/keyswitch, gauges etc ( it's hard to figure out from your first post but I'm easily confused) then wiggling the throttle lever in Neutral or making sure it's in Neutral may take care of your problem. Or you can jumper the 2 contacts on the Neutral safety switch and try starting the boat It'll start in gear with it jumpered, so make sure it's in neutral or you could be in for a surprise. The 8 plug connector on the back of the engine could get unplugged and checked for corrosion also since dash power has to pass through there And..........take it easy on the wall with your head

edamario Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: July-13-2019 Location: Holliston MA Status: Offline Points: 58	Post Options Post Reply Quote edamario Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: July-25-2019 at 12:09am
	Thanks much KENO. I think I'd seen your diagram on a previous posting, as well as a link to the manual (which helped with the distributor timing). That said, the diagram mostly aligns... and was super helpful. Thanks. The good news is that while the fuses didn't seem to have an impact, I did find the issue. Thought it was the ignition switch as it wasn't "working" on my multimeter, so replaced. Still dead. After following every wire etc etc, it ended up being a dumb thing. GROUND. Sanded the cables to the block (and the block at the screw hole) and things suddenly jumped to life. Bizarre as I was told it was running when I picked it up after service... perhaps it jiggled about on the 3hr drive. IDK. That said, it fired, and after resetting the timing/set base RPM, it sounds so damn good. Taking out for the first time tomorrow, and absolutely stoked. Thanks for your insight. Eric
	'79 Skitique - first boat

No Power (electrical) in 79. FUSES?

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