Electrical Headache

[Marky1]

My 1991 Ranger Cherokee 217 is getting to be a headache . It will start fine, the issues are as follow, ...Turn key to start the motor,Tachometer needle will go all the way to the other side from ),fuel gage needle does not move, all gages light up, toggle switches do not work. All the fuses are good.Motor will start with disconnect switch off ( from starting battery ) NEED to get this fixed soon . Thanks in advance for all the help .

[J.W.]

This kind of stuff is a headache, but it sounds like you need to check each circuit that you have coming off that battery. Get a meter and check continuity on everything.

Are all the fuses for the toggle switches popped?

[Marky1]

Checked all fuses , they are still good . Everything worked fine last Thurs. ,

[Bud Kennedy]

These kind of things can be a real pain thats for sure.  As you start to trace out your wiring pay particular attention to any place where a connector is present in particular connectors that contain a crimp style splice or terminal connector.  You must have a meter active at all times to alert you if ia circuit is broken or re contacts as you move along.  I notice you have not mentioned anything about circuit breakers.  You need to examine each one as well as the wiring connectors.  Also if you have not load tested your battery it might be a good idea.  You may have some volts but very low current.

I have owned a bass boat for over 40 years and I assure you that all of us had to endure this kind of stuff.  Just part of the wonderful world of boat ownership.

[Marky1]

I have 2 circuit breakers ,(shut off switches) one for the trolling motor batteries, 2nd for the rest of the boat . Will motor start with 2nd switch off ?

[Pat Dilling]

Check and double check your battery connections. Since all this started at once, the battery is the best place to start troubleshooting. Having a volt meter to check as you move forward from there is a big help. I would also check the instrument panel ground since all the items mentioned are in that location. In fiberglass boats, ground connections are critical.

[Marky1]

Figured it out somewhat, 1. circuit breaker is bad, 2.where is the ground wire from starting battery, or is connect with motor ?

[Pat Dilling]

2. Follow the ground from the battery. Should have 2 cables, one directly to the gas motor. The other probably goes to a buss bar where other grounds can attach to it. Remember fiberglass boats don't have a metal frame, so everything has to ground back to the battery.

[Marky1]

It's an aluminum boat.

[Pat Dilling]

It's an aluminum boat.

Ok, still good to have dedicated grounds.

[topdsm0138]

It's an aluminum boat.

NEVER ground to the hull on an aluminum boat. You use a ground distribution block and run that to the negative terminal of the battery. If you are ground to the hull, you will have electrolysis. This where the current will "eat" holes in your boat. So as Captain Jack Sparrow said "Quit blowing holes in my ship!"

Tiller Mafia.

[Marky1]

All fixed ,... everything works. Not easy working on boat in the hot sun

[Pat Dilling]

Please let us know what you found. 

[Marky1]

Replaced circuit breaker switch ,added a wire (black) from battery (negative) to negative terminal(s). Everything works. All set for day trip to Maine Weds.