I think I may have cooked my outboard

[volzfan59]

As I have posted several times, I rewired my boat, built a new storage compartment and rod box, new t/m, switches, control panel, etc. The only thing left original is the hull and the 40 h/p Tohatsu 2 stroke. At every new installation, I checked everything to make sure that it was still working. While waiting on a new AGM deep cycle, dual purpose battery I decided to hook up the old one so I could go to the river for a bit.

 

I'm ashamed to admit that I hooked up the old battery backwards! I replaced a couple of blown fuses but now my outboard won't do anything. Turn the key..... nothing. The power tilt/ trim is out too. Short of taking it to the mechanic, is there anything I could look for. It's a 2003 motor if that helps. I know better than this, replaced a ton of batteries in my life. This truly is embarrassing.

[Deephaven]

Either your battery is completely shot or there is another main fuse somewhere.  Doubt you took out the outboard, but bet you took out something else.  

[MN Fisher]

Could it have taken the ECU out?

 

[volzfan59]

1 hour ago, Deephaven said:

Either your battery is completely shot or there is another main fuse somewhere.  Doubt you took out the outboard, but bet you took out something else.  

 

1 hour ago, MN Fisher said:

Could it have taken the ECU out?

 

Well, reckon I'll give her a ride to the outboard MD Monday. I'm going to have to figure out how to tilt the motor though.

@Deephaven, All of the other stuff connected to that battery (interior and exterior lights) are working. The digital volt meter is reading 13.1.

[Bassun]

Check around the motor for an inline fuse.  Really dig around in the wiring.  I did the same thing once during a night tournament.  Tried swapping batteries in the dark and reversed the leads.  POW!  Nothing.  It was a mess figuring it all out, but for the electrical - I found an inline fuse in the wiring right at the motor which had done its job.  As for raising the motor, there is usually a hydraulic release screw (or manual tilt/trim screw) whatever you want to call it.  Just find that, and you can release the motor to trim manually.  Most I believe are turned counter clockwise to release.

I figure you will find the fuse and not need to manually tilt anyway.  Good luck!

[TnRiver46]

Make sure it ain’t in gear and the kill switch isn’t pulled before you take it to the MD 

[volzfan59]

On 5/20/2022 at 10:45 PM, TnRiver46 said:

Make sure it ain’t in gear and the kill switch isn’t pulled before you take it to the MD 

I checked, it's in neutral and the kill switch is where it's supposed to be. Thanks for the reminder.

[TnRiver46]

Just now, volzfan59 said:

I checked, it's in neutral and the kill switch is where it's supposed to be. Thanks for the reminder.

My buddies always put mine on the trailer while I back the truck in, and they inevitably leave it in gear. Next time I go fishing I panic because it won’t start, then realize it’s in gear 

[cyclops2]

Fuse or a  burned open wire. Plus or Minus .  No motor crank or TILT..

[Bird]

We did the same thing and the shock comphromised the terminal connectors.

Even if the battery connections feel tight, loosen them, wiggle and retighten.

 

We do also have an inline fuse but it survived.

Hope you get this resolved ?

 

[volzfan59]

21 minutes ago, Bird said:

We did the same thing and the shock comphromised the terminal connectors.

Even if the battery connections feel tight, loosen them, wiggle and retighten.

 

We do also have an inline fuse but it survived.

Hope you get this resolved ?

 

I've done that too, redid all of the connections. My youngest son is a MK in the Coast Guard and a certified Honda mechanic, thanks to the USCG. Spoke with him today. I feel pretty certain that it's a 30 amp fuse, but I never did find the doggone thing. I felt sorry for him trying to diagnose something he's never worked on, over the phone. No matter, I'm really proud of him.

[Bassun]

It took me for ever to find mine.  It was hidden in the middle of a bunch of wires right at the engine.

[cyclops2]

I installed a 8 circuit black Bakelite fuse strip under my flip up side console. All circuits are fused right there. All wiring is # 14 Ga.  Have 2 spare circuits with spare fuses. More in Plano box.  Have never had a fuse blow.  Just motor Horn & lights & a F F.

[GRiver]

On 5/23/2022 at 5:15 PM, Bassun said:

It took me for ever to find mine.  It was hidden in the middle of a bunch of wires right at the engine.

Mine too, when I found it , it didn’t look like a fuse holder. Looked like a double wire connection, when I pulled it apart, it even had a spare fuse right beside it. I made sure I put another spare back in the holder.

[Bassun]

@volzfan59  

Did you figure it out?

[volzfan59]

Sorry, I've been out of town. I gave up and called the local outboard mechanic. He told me to just bring it in and he'll fix it while I'm there. Told me that it's about a five minute fix. Thank you for asking @Bassun

[volzfan59]

I took my little rig into our local outboard mechanic. True to his word, stopped what he was doing and checked out my outboard. Within ten minutes, he found my spare fuse, pulled and replaced the blown fuse. He charged me very little, next to nothing. I've used him for a tune up and impeller replacement in the past. He has a customer for life.