Any Suggestions. No Power at the Helm gauges, radio, or ignition

[2004BR262]

Thanks in advance for any suggestions and I hope I am posting in the correct place. I have a 2004 Cobalt 262 with a 496 that has lost power to the gauges, radio and ignition.

Back story on the boat.
1. Always in Freshwater with less than 400 hours
2. Dry stored
3. Running one day and a few days later it had lost all power to the dash gauges, ignition switch, radio, and circuit breaker on engine and ignition circuit breaker under dash.
4. My son used the boat last and said he had no issues and everything was working fine.

Things I have checked
1. Tested battery switch and it is working properly
2. There is power going in and leaving battery switch.
3. Replaced Circuit breakers under dash.
4. Replaced Breakers by the Battery Switch that are labeled (Amplifier, Helm, Bilge)
5. Batteries have been tested and they are fine.
6. There is No power going into the Ignition circuit breaker under dash but all other breakers have power.
7. There is No power at the ignition switch.
8. I Do have power at the starter.
9. All lights, pumps, horn, are working fine
10. There is no power at the circuit breakers on the engine.
11. Checked for signs of rodents or chewed wires and nothing.

[kbloom72]

Sounds like the 90amp Fuse blew. It's located on the bottom of the starter. I've seen this happen when the battery is hooked up backwards, which is more common than you'd think. A good friend of mine experienced this last spring and he had the same symptoms as you.

https://www.westmarine.com/buy/sierra-- ... --10476307

[2004BR262]

Thanks I just ordered the part... It has been driving me crazy....

[Daniel]

Check your cannon plug for corrosion.

[2004BR262]

Thanks this site is the BEST!!! The 90 Amp fuse fixed my problem..

[kbloom72]

Awesome! Glad that was it. Happy Boating!

[jtj82]

I had the same issue. I have a 2000 Cobalt 262 boat. I replaced my fuse but that did not work. I did find out though that I’m not getting any power from my battery switch wire to my ignition. I did get a jumper wire and just totally bypass the old one and it fired right up. So, that tells me the old power wire is bad. My question is, can I just run a new wire and install a new I line fuse and just bypass the old power wire? And if so which wire is it on my ignition?