mark wrote:

i/o motor 250 hp my master switch is on both or either and still
nothing at all. no ratio or lights or anything


After verifying that the batteries have a charge, I would check the
ground and bypass the switch. You should be seeing power somewhere
unless there is major corrosion a broken cable I would think. Even if it
does not start.

Capt Jack R..

boat is quite new. all wires are clean with no corrosion. It worked
with the old batteries right up until it died. when i replaced new
batteries nothing works. I either blew something or i have the wrong
batteries. power tilt is the only think that works.
Mark

"mark" wrote in message
oups.com...
boat is quite new. all wires are clean with no corrosion. It worked
with the old batteries right up until it died. when i replaced new
batteries nothing works. I either blew something or i have the wrong
batteries. power tilt is the only think that works.
Mark


It's not your batteries. Keep plugging away. You're going to find the
problem and feel pretty good about your new found knowledge of how your boat
works.

RCE

mark wrote:

boat is quite new. all wires are clean with no corrosion. It worked
with the old batteries right up until it died. when i replaced new
batteries nothing works. I either blew something or i have the wrong
batteries. power tilt is the only think that works.
Mark


Mark - you got me.
I have a hard time believing it is the wrong batteries. since the power
trim works that would seem to imply that the ground is good. I just
can't imagine why the lights would be dead also.

Capt Jack R..

Typically , trim and tilt is hooked directly to the batteries. Check that
the ground from the battery is connected to a stud on the back of a head.
Check that the red hot side of the battery connects to the battery selector
switch. Check that a red lead is connected from the selector switch to a
post on the starter solenoid. That post on the starter solenoid usually
supplies power to everything else. You need to verify that you have power on
the starter solenoid.
Jim
"Jack Redington" wrote in message
nk.net...
mark wrote:

boat is quite new. all wires are clean with no corrosion. It worked
with the old batteries right up until it died. when i replaced new
batteries nothing works. I either blew something or i have the wrong
batteries. power tilt is the only think that works.
Mark


Mark - you got me.
I have a hard time believing it is the wrong batteries. since the power
trim works that would seem to imply that the ground is good. I just can't
imagine why the lights would be dead also.

Capt Jack R..

"Jack Redington" wrote in message
nk.net...
mark wrote:

boat is quite new. all wires are clean with no corrosion. It worked
with the old batteries right up until it died. when i replaced new
batteries nothing works. I either blew something or i have the wrong
batteries. power tilt is the only think that works.
Mark


Mark - you got me.
I have a hard time believing it is the wrong batteries. since the power
trim works that would seem to imply that the ground is good. I just can't
imagine why the lights would be dead also.

Capt Jack R..


Mark, do you have a multimeter? If not, go to the Home Depot, Lowes or
Radio Shack and get yourself a 20 dollar meter. If you are uncomfortable
with a meter or don't know how to use one, go to a automotive store and get
a 12 volt test probe. It looks like a pointy screwdriver with a light in it
and has a ground wire coming out of the top of the handle. With a meter or
a test probe, people here can walk you through the checks. I suspect you
have an in-line fuse somewhere that you haven't found yet that supplies
power to your ignition switch and to your 12 volt accessories.

RCE

Hi RCE, thanks I will get a 12 volt test probe. I'm hoping that there
is a fuse somewhere that I missed. I can't believe how nice all you
guys are. I'm really greatful that I can talk to all of you. I hope
someday I can return the favor.
Mark

Mark,
The information you have given us so far is not enough to even begin to
troubleshoot your problem.
Please supply the make and model and year of the engine and boat so that we
can try to visualize what you are looking at. What worked with the old
batteries? What died? Were the old batteries worn down? If they were worn
down, could it be from leaving an accessory on when you left the boat, or
from months of non use? Did you check to see if the old batteries needed
water? Did you try to recharge the batteries? Did you have the batteries
tested? (Not at Sears, I hope). How old are the old batteries? Is all the
wiring to the batteries color coded? i.e. red for positive and black for
negative. Have you looked carefully for any loose wires that may not have
been reconnected to the new batteries? Where is the selector switch
physically mounted? When you are in the cockpit facing the engine, describe
where the batteries are located.

We have determined so far that the sterndrive will lift to the full up
position. It takes significant power to accomplish that task. The batteries
are OK. The next logical step to take is to follow the battery cables to see
where they go. The blacks need to go from the negative on the battery
directly to the engine block. The two red cables go from batteries to the
selector switch. The third red cable on the selector switch goes to the
starter solenoid. You may find other smaller wires connected to the
batteries. Those would be for builder installed accessories; and have
nothing to do with engine function.
Jim

"mark" wrote in message
oups.com...
boat is quite new. all wires are clean with no corrosion. It worked
with the old batteries right up until it died. when i replaced new
batteries nothing works. I either blew something or i have the wrong
batteries. power tilt is the only think that works.
Mark

Hi Jim,
Batteries are located on the left when you are looking back into the
engine. The switch is mounted on the wall just above the batteries. I
have a 24 ft sea ray with a 250hp i/o motor. Everything worked with
the old deep cell bateries. They both just wore out. I had to keep
charging them until I decided to buy new batteries. The red cable goes
around the back of the engine to the other side and then under to the
starter I guess. Can't see it. All cables look new. Engine is very
clean. No corrosion. Maybe the selector switch went bad when I
connected the batteries backwards.. What do you think? Tried the
selector on all three positions. Nothing. The wiring is color coded.
Always turned the selector off when I was done using the boat. Even
disconnected the radio timer wire from the batteries so as to not wear
them down. Fuses on the top of the engine where many small red wire
attach are good. None blown. I pushed the red reset button on top of
the engine as well. Nothing. The old batteries were 2 1/2 years old.
Old batteries did need water from time to time but alway filled with
distilled water.
I hope I answered all your question. Thanks for all your time.
Mark

"mark" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi Jim,
Batteries are located on the left when you are looking back into the
engine. The switch is mounted on the wall just above the batteries. I
have a 24 ft sea ray with a 250hp i/o motor. Everything worked with
the old deep cell bateries. They both just wore out. I had to keep
charging them until I decided to buy new batteries. The red cable goes
around the back of the engine to the other side and then under to the
starter I guess. Can't see it. All cables look new. Engine is very
clean. No corrosion. Maybe the selector switch went bad when I
connected the batteries backwards.. What do you think? Tried the
selector on all three positions. Nothing. The wiring is color coded.
Always turned the selector off when I was done using the boat. Even
disconnected the radio timer wire from the batteries so as to not wear
them down. Fuses on the top of the engine where many small red wire
attach are good. None blown. I pushed the red reset button on top of
the engine as well. Nothing. The old batteries were 2 1/2 years old.
Old batteries did need water from time to time but alway filled with
distilled water.
I hope I answered all your question. Thanks for all your time.
Mark


Step 1. Did you get a lighted test probe? If so, connect the black lead
with the alligator clip to the negative post of either battery. Touch the
probe to the positive post of that battery. Did the light come on on the
probe? If yes, then the probe is good.

Step 2. Turn the battery switch on to "both" Connect the alligator clip to
a nearby metal part of the engine. Make sure it's on metal, not paint.
Again, touch the probe to the positive lead of either battery. Did it light
up with the same intensity? If so, good, you have at least some kind of
ground connection to the engine block. Try the positive post of the other
battery and make sure it lights also.

Step 3. Let's wait until you get this far.

RCE