Electrical problem 268 Vista

Leonard-F · **Joined:** Tue Jun 11, 2013 10:03 pm **Posts:** 10

NEED HELP! Just got 2002 268 Vista and put it in the water today. It ran great, but electrical accessories stopped working one by one. First horn, then GPS, than am/fm/cd radio, than bow spot light... within 45 minutes just about everything went out. I think batteries where replaces in 2011 and new alternator was just installed last week. What can it be?

ric · **Posted:** Tue Jun 11, 2013 10:18 pm

Need more info. What was the volt gauge reading on the dash? What was temp?

Unless you have paid work orders from a mechanic, assume nothing was done.

Rick2752 · **Posted:** Wed Jun 12, 2013 5:19 am

On the back of the motor on both sides, there is a ground. Take bother sides off, there are about 4 wires on left side and maybe 10 on the right side. Clean them up and reinstall even if that's not your problem it won't hurt and it's a good place to start. Might Also clean up battery wires. Do you have a voltmeter?

NiagaraChillin · **Posted:** Wed Jun 12, 2013 7:06 am

Did the engine die too, or just accessories? Like ric asked, what were the volt gauge readings while this was happening? When you started it for first time, was it slow to start?

jgreve75 · **Posted:** Wed Jun 12, 2013 8:09 am

Check your battery cables and grounds as suggested already. If your engine runs fine and appears to be charging, either by the voltmeter or a meter reading directly at the battery, but you are still experiencing intermittent or nonexistent accessory functions then check your fuse panel under the helm and make sure all the fuses are in there nice and tight. You may have some corrosion on your fuses or the terminals in the fuse block itself may have sockets that are sprung and no longer providing a tight connection with the fuses.

Paul I. · **Posted:** Wed Jun 12, 2013 9:36 am

jgreve75 wrote:

Check your battery cables and grounds as suggested already. If your engine runs fine and appears to be charging, either by the voltmeter or a meter reading directly at the battery, but you are still experiencing intermittent or nonexistent accessory functions then check your fuse panel under the helm and make sure all the fuses are in there nice and tight. You may have some corrosion on your fuses or the terminals in the fuse block itself may have sockets that are sprung and no longer providing a tight connection with the fuses.

Yep!

Leonard-F · **Joined:** Tue Jun 11, 2013 10:03 pm **Posts:** 10

Check the boat and the alternator and grounds are good. When the boat is started alternator charges battery 1 for the motor but doesn't charge battery 2 for everything else. Does anyone have any idea what the problem can be? The alternator is putting out 14v. Battery one is at 12-12.5 volts prior to start once the engine is running it is up around 13.5-14 volts, battery 2 is not being charged and is at 10 volts. Could the accesories not be working since battery 2 only has 10 volts and is not being charged?
Thanks for all the help

Leonard-F · **Joined:** Tue Jun 11, 2013 10:03 pm **Posts:** 10

ric wrote:

Need more info. What was the volt gauge reading on the dash? What was temp?

Unless you have paid work orders from a mechanic, assume nothing was done.

Volt gauge is reading 12-12.5 prior to start and 13.5 when running.

Leonard-F · **Joined:** Tue Jun 11, 2013 10:03 pm **Posts:** 10

NiagaraChillin wrote:

Did the engine die too, or just accessories? Like ric asked, what were the volt gauge readings while this was happening? When you started it for first time, was it slow to start?

It wasnt slow to start, probably because battery 1 for the engine is charged and at 12.5 volts prior to starting. the engine stays running with no problems. only problem we are having the with the 2nd battery for the rest of the boat not charging and accessories not working.

Rick2752 · **Posted:** Fri Jun 14, 2013 1:04 pm

Someone correct me if Im wrong, but I believe when you have the switch on battery one. It is charging battery 2. When on 2 charging battery 1, when on both it is charging both batteries. While on shore power. It sounds like battery 2 is either shot or you just ran it completely down. You will loose power one thing at a time when a battery is dying out. You could switch your wires and make battery1 be battery 2 and make sure the battery is getting charged. Im guessing if you unhook both batteries and check them, you will get little to no voltage out of battery 2

Bliss36 · **Posted:** Fri Jun 14, 2013 1:10 pm

Quote:

I think batteries where replaces in 2011

Just to be certain I would pull the battery and have it properly load tested. Most capable auto part stores will test it for free. A shorted or damaged battery can mask it's symtom's in many different ways. Once you know the condition of the battery start making your way through the system...step 2 check the battery isolator since you know the alternator is working judging by your voltmeter.

Leonard-F · **Joined:** Tue Jun 11, 2013 10:03 pm **Posts:** 10

going to get 2 new battery's today and go from there and give everyone an update. any recommendations on the size of the battery that i should use? i know a lot of people recommend 29 but is there a particular one? currently has a 27 in it. should i get another 27 or bump it up to the 29?
thanks

fred111 · **Joined:** Mon Jul 19, 2010 7:04 am **Posts:** 9

I have a 2005 Vista 268 and use a pair of size 31 AGM batteries. Works great.

Leonard-F · **Joined:** Tue Jun 11, 2013 10:03 pm **Posts:** 10

Got new batteries for it today and everything works like it should. Only two things not working are the horn and windshield wiper motor needs to be replaced. Battery 2 is still not being charged. Any idea what could be the problem or where I should start.
Thanks
Andrew

Surface Interval · **Posted:** Fri Jun 14, 2013 10:07 pm

I was just in the owners manual a few days ago looking at this. According to the owners manual the 268 should be charging both batteries while the engine is running. The 248 does not. On the 268 you should not need to change the battery switch back and forth. If one battery is not charging you may need to see if the isolator is at fault. Make sure to check across both terminals with your meter. Unlike metal cars,boats are notorious for having issues with bad ground connections.

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Electrical problem 268 Vista

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