www.iFourWinns.com

Hey All,

Just had my 1988 205 Sundowner out this weekend. We rode around successfully with no issues for a good hour; pulling skiers, tubing, etc. We then anchored by the Presque Isle (Erie, PA) beaches and went for a walk on the beach. When we got back and went to leave here is where my problem started.

I turned the blower on like I always do before I start. It turned on fine, no problems. After a couple minutes I switched the Key from OFF to ON. The gauges all turned on and went to their normal starting locations and the depth sounder kicked on and lit up as well. When I turned the key to START the moter, it turned over for a split second and then everything went dead. There was/is no power to the front of the boat. Now when the key is in the ON position the blower will not work, the bilge will not turn on, no lights, no radio, will not turn over or even click.

I was lucky that I was out with a friend in an 84 Formula who towed me in. While we were getting towed, I started checking things as I suspected it was a wiring problem. the battery cables are all tight. I then was able to check the fuses on the motor wiring harnes. When looking at my OMC 4.3L there are two red wires with inline 50A fuses on them. I discovered that the one that blew was the right one. I'm guessing this wire sends power to the front of the boat? The left one is for the outdrive tilt. (I think). Anyways, I had an extra 50A fuse in the boat and installed it. The blower turned on immediatly and the gauges all worked again like normal. However, when i went to start it again, it blew instantly.

My guess is that I have a short somewhere. Would anyone know where to start looking?

Thanks for your input!

Nick

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Boat--1988 205 Sundowner
Tow Veh--2010 Toyota Tundra SR5 5.7L

Time to whip out the ohm meter to test continuity between the block and various points of electrical connection. There should be no continuity, unless there is a ground wired to that specific connection.

I would start on the starter circuit.

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Walter

2003 248 Vista - VP 5.0 GXi
2009 Toyota Tundra SR5 5.7L 4x4

Thanks CaptWalt. That makes sense since it only blows when I click the key over to START. Something between the battery to the switch to the starter solenoid maybe?

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Boat--1988 205 Sundowner
Tow Veh--2010 Toyota Tundra SR5 5.7L

Correct. If you have more than one battery you should try isolating each one to help you identify the cause.

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Walter

2003 248 Vista - VP 5.0 GXi
2009 Toyota Tundra SR5 5.7L 4x4

Alright...still no luck finding a bare wire. Checked the switch, it looked fine with all wires tight and secure. All wires at the back seem in good shape but I need to do some more digging back there. Here's a question, could there be a problem with the starter assist/relay solenoid? (the one on top of the motor?) the wire with the inline fuse that keeps blowing goes from the starter solenoid to this relay/assist solenoid on the motor. What happens when that thing goes bad?

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Boat--1988 205 Sundowner
Tow Veh--2010 Toyota Tundra SR5 5.7L

Take a look at the harness where it snakes around that relay, on mine I noticed the insulation starting to wear right where it rubs against the stud for the relay...it could be grounding the wire that comes from the key right on the ground for the relay...

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

Yes it is likely that the issue could be present there or anywhere on that circuit. When you are talking electrical issues on a boat the fact is they can show up in the strangest and not so obvious of places. A visual inspection is a good first step but you're going to need a meter to go through the circuit. Do you have access to one?

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Walter

2003 248 Vista - VP 5.0 GXi
2009 Toyota Tundra SR5 5.7L 4x4

Yes I have a meter. Where should I start checking?

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Boat--1988 205 Sundowner
Tow Veh--2010 Toyota Tundra SR5 5.7L

Thanks LouC, I will check tonight.

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Boat--1988 205 Sundowner
Tow Veh--2010 Toyota Tundra SR5 5.7L

Systematically go through the entire starter circuit. Isolate batteries if you have more than one.

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Walter

2003 248 Vista - VP 5.0 GXi
2009 Toyota Tundra SR5 5.7L 4x4