www.iFourWinns.com

Hey all. Sorry if I should've posted this in the electrical, I wasn't sure which one to use.


I've got an '87 195 SD. Ive had the boat for a while but just got engine installed and am going through everything making sure things work etc... I've got power to bilge blower, lights but the radio will not come on.

The previous owner was the original owner and took VERY good care of the boat...always indoors, professionally maintained etc so from that and looking at it I know it doesn't have any crappy wiring...everything is factory OR professionally installed aftermarket.

The previous owner told me everything worked, including the radio. I do not have power to guages though, not sure why still, but could that be on the same circuit? I went in the cuddy, pulled panel off behind gauge cluster and wiring looked great, continuity everywhere etc...I'd really like to have some tunes.

Any ideas? Thank you

EDIT: I DO have power to gauges now...just found a ground wire that I didn't see when I installed engine.

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1987 Sundowner 195, 4.3 OMC " Z boat"
1983 Wellcraft 248 Sportsman, 3.0L OMC Sea Drive "Born Again"
9' Patriot 40lbs TM "Quack Addict"

Sounds like it's time to trace the power wire feeding the radio back to it's source and find out why there's no power there.

Roger that. I've looked a little for it but with the harness coming out of the back of the radio, I am not sure which one feeds the 12v. Ill just have to dig until I find it.
Thank you sir!

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1987 Sundowner 195, 4.3 OMC " Z boat"
1983 Wellcraft 248 Sportsman, 3.0L OMC Sea Drive "Born Again"
9' Patriot 40lbs TM "Quack Addict"

On the back of the radio the solid red and the solid yellow should both have 12v power with the key on. The solid black is ground.

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1981 Columbia 8.7
2015 Yamaha FZR - 87mph - sold
2006 Yamaha GP1300R - sold
2003 Chaparral 215 SSI - sold
2009 Stingray 195CS - sold
2000 Four Winns H180 - sold
1976 O'day Daysailer II - sold
Rick's Four Winns H180 Mods/Upgrade Thread

Could it be wired through an accessory switch? I've seen some older boats wired this way.

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2004 248 Vista "Amante"
MC 5.0MPI/B3

Awesome! Thank you sir. Ill check for power on those and make sure Ive got a good ground. If I do, I guess I just need to replace the radio! About to go work on it right now, will report back



Yeah I suppose it might be. I hope it's not but it might be. Ill go spend some time with my headlamp on, behind the dash. I have a feeling the radio might be dead just because so far, all the wiring is factory and other than a couple connections, very clean and in great working order.

Thank you gents

_________________
1987 Sundowner 195, 4.3 OMC " Z boat"
1983 Wellcraft 248 Sportsman, 3.0L OMC Sea Drive "Born Again"
9' Patriot 40lbs TM "Quack Addict"

To be safe, download the manual from the manufactures site. You may even need it later.

They are somewhat standardized in the wire colors. Here is an example shown below. On all radios, it is going to be the red wire for 12V, and the black wire for GROUND.

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"Knot Easy" 2000 Horizon 240 Volvo 5.7GS /SX
tow: 2017 Honda PILOT EXL-AWD
prev. boats:
'87 Chaparral 198CXL 4.3 OMC Cobra
'69 Jetstar 16ft Ski Boat, 115hp Yamaha
'68 Aluminum Jon Boat, 3hp Sears
'64 Water Wings

That's a very good idea. I'll do that. It is a Dual MP40G or something...it's got great sound!



Thank you very much for that. I saw the fuses on the RED and YELLOW. Didn't see them on the boat until I reached my hand behind the side panel (where the controls are for the engine) and felt the cylindrical plastic fuse cases. Sure enough, fuse was blown. replaced it now it works awesome. Previous owner left his Eagles CD in there so I listened to some tunes for a bit. Nothing like rocking out to "life in the fast lane"...
You guys are awesome thank you very much

_________________
1987 Sundowner 195, 4.3 OMC " Z boat"
1983 Wellcraft 248 Sportsman, 3.0L OMC Sea Drive "Born Again"
9' Patriot 40lbs TM "Quack Addict"

Glad to hear it worked out. And Great album.
After all, boat ownership is a lot like Hotel California

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"Knot Easy" 2000 Horizon 240 Volvo 5.7GS /SX
tow: 2017 Honda PILOT EXL-AWD
prev. boats:
'87 Chaparral 198CXL 4.3 OMC Cobra
'69 Jetstar 16ft Ski Boat, 115hp Yamaha
'68 Aluminum Jon Boat, 3hp Sears
'64 Water Wings

Ha ha...aint that the truth! Well...I've got plenty of boats so it appears as though you are absolutely correct.

Yeah I do appreciate you posting that. I thought it was weird there was no fuses because otherwise it is hardwired to battery. I saw your diagram and suddenly it all made sense.

_________________
1987 Sundowner 195, 4.3 OMC " Z boat"
1983 Wellcraft 248 Sportsman, 3.0L OMC Sea Drive "Born Again"
9' Patriot 40lbs TM "Quack Addict"