Electric question

[Robert Engel]

I bought a used boat (2003 Fisher Panfish) and needed to replace the pumps (two aerator and bilge). All went well, but in the process of removing the batteries, we noticed they were linked in parallel with jumpers. Disconnected everything but when we reconnected the cables, there was a huge spark when the starter cables were connected and the motor started to cranked (very slowly).

We removed the batteries and gas tank to install the pumps and hooked everything back up. The motor cranked and everything seemed to be ok. but I did notice the "beep" was gone and the gauge lights did not light.

I disconnected everything as quickly as possible and have been trying to figure it out since then.

The cables and wires are as follows:

1. Large + and - cables from starter
2. A brown and black wire that go to the dash. We have determined the brown powers up the pumps. We cannot figure out what the black does and whether it's even a + cable.

We can determine whether the ignition switch is working.

We found one fuse broken 5A and replaced it, but have no idea what it does. I can't find a fuse diagram anywhere for this boat.

To me it's acting like the solenoid is stuck.

I hope any of this makes sense, and if anyone has an idea on how to go about tracing this down, it would be very helpful.

Thanks
Robert

 

[boatbum]

Could be a short in the start circuit to positive?

 

[Bill D.]

have you contacted Tracker marine customer service (I'm assuming your boat is their 16' panfish model) to see if they can sen you a wiring diagram?
If you are charging both batteries from the single outboard you should have a selector switch and you may have melted its contacts as a start point in trouble shooting. Regardless you should have a bus bar and it might be your wires are labeled near it.