No power to ignition

[Corkscrew]

Hi all,
After replacing the alternator on our 2600 se and stupidly not isolating power from the batteries a spanner shorted against the engine. Since this rookie mistake we have lost power to the ignition and hence no power to any of the gauges. Does anybody have any idea if there is a fuse or breaker hidden somewhere as we have checked every one visible and obvious that we can find but to no avail. Please help us get back moving on the water instead of floating stationary many thanks

[mmwjr]

Mercruiser used a fuse on the starter on later models. It will be a plastic body on the large terminal on the solenoid onto of the starter. There is also the 50 amp engine breaker (red button) on top of the engine.

[Corkscrew]

Hi thanks for your reply we’ve tested the 50amp breaker all seems to be working fine. Do you have any tips on how to access the fuse on the starter motor?

[mmwjr]

If there is power at the breaker the fuse is good as it feeds the breaker. Did you measure voltage there?

[Corkscrew]

Hi, we have managed to change the fuse on the starter which had blown and have voltage at the 50amp breaker but still nothing to the ignition and no gauges working?

[mmwjr]

The ignition uses either a 15 or 20 amp fuse and is located under the helm in the fuse box. Another issue could be a bad connection at the engine wiring harness connector which is located onto of the engine. Sometimes these get loose, corrode or the contacts burn. First check for power at the helm fuse box. No power check the connector.

[Corkscrew]

We’re struggling to find a 15 or 20 amp fuse in a fuse box under the helm we just have the trip switch board no fuse box?

[mmwjr]

I’m not familiar with your boat. Does it have round breaker buttons at the lower helm. If so it should be one of them. Another test is to measure the B terminal on the ignition switch to see if there is 12V.

[mmwjr]

Yet another test is to measure for 12V on a breaker, this will tell you if power is getting to the helm. If no power but power on the engine breaker I would look at the engine harness connector I mentioned.

[Corkscrew]

Thanks so much for your help today we have finally managed to get it sorted

[mmwjr]

Great! What was the final issue?