New alternator, now no power to the engine

[JOHN COOKSON]

Here's a diagram from my A4 owners manual. It may not be to relevant since previous owners sometimes change stuff around. However it might be useful as a starting point.
Side note to Neil: The diagram does not show a ACC key position but I know there is one. The terminal is on the back of the ignition switch and the key has an ACC position. Interesting.

TRUE GRIT

[ndutton]

Because I'm not seeing a separate start button the ign switch must have a momentary start function but neither it nor the solenoid wire is shown.

[GregH]

From the photos are not the purple wires going to the light + on each gauge?

[ndutton]

From the photos are not the purple wires going to the light + on each gauge?

Looking at the picture and the latest drawing, the purple wires are grounds meaning the ABYC color code is out the window.

[dwkfym]

Yep. The PO did not use proper colors for everything.

I'm going to check on the insulation on the orange wiring from the coil tomorrow, I will also check on the ground that is missing. I'll re-check everything tomorrow.

[Tim]

Assuming your drawing is correct, there are two wires missing from the starter solenoid/ignition circuit.

1) According to your drawing, +12V comes from the batteries, thru the selector switch, then to the solenoid, and then to ... nowhere. There should be another wire connecting the large terminal on the solenoid to the starter switch. Without that wire, there will be no +12V to the ignition circuit.

2) There should also be a wire from the igntion switch to the "s" terminal on the solenoid. This is the wire that engages the solenoid when the ignition key is turned.

Both of these wires should be there if the engine was running prior to replacing the alternator. Is it possible that you disconnected or removed some wires while working on the alternator?

[Administrator]

I feel like Goose, sitting in the back seat of that F-14 in Top Gun and yelling, "Go get 'em, Neil, Tim, et al!"

Multiple bogies in that wiring!

Bill

[ndutton]

Where are you located?

[joe_db]

He is in Deale, MD.

[dwkfym]

I totally forgot about the wire that goes from the positive post on my fuse bus (where Gal pump, DF, and radio are powered from) to the common terminal on the selector switch. It's also popping the fuse in-line there.

I'm pulling my hair out. Weather is supposed to be nice this weekend. If I miss this weekend, its time to haul out the boat.

(its funny because I have a shaved head and I actually can't pull my hair out)

[dwkfym]

I think I'm going to get a new ignition switch and rewire as it is in he a4 diagram supplied earlier on this thread. I've never shopped for an ignition switch before. What specifications should I be looking at? Will the ign switch referenced in that diagram eliminate my starter button that is located next to my choke and throttle levers?

[tenders]

I have a four-position ignition switch that I like a lot, I think it’s a Cole-Hersee brand.

Vertical key: everything is off

Key one click to the left (counterclockwise): accessory on, but in my installation that’s wired to the bilge blower only. Turn it this way when you get onto the boat, and leave it while you get things set up to get underway.

Key one click to the right from vertical (clockwise): “run” mode = ignition on, but ALSO bilge blower.

Key one more click to the right from vertical: “crank” (start) mode = key returns to “run” mode when let go.

Benefits:
- simplicity: no separate blower switch, or breaker on the electrical panel, any more. (There is an inline fuse). No separate ignition button either
- safety: engine cannot be run without the bilge blower being on
- idiocy reduction: ignition cannot be left on inadvertently without the bilge blower being on

[dwkfym]

Thank you. That sounds like I have to reroute choke controls since I can't start the engine from the cockpit. How do you have your boat set up for that?

[tenders]

Not sure you’d need to reroute anything as you probably have an ignition switch in place already. On my installation, there’s a little cupboard built into the cockpit at shin level, right next to the shifter, that houses the choke, ignition, former bilge blower switch, and other gauges. Pretty standard, I think. When I upgraded the ignition switch to the four-position model, I removed the blower switch and replaced it with a fuel gauge. This was a big upgrade over the wooden dipstick that existed for the boat’s first 42 years!

(You can’t start the engine from the cockpit? Where do you start the engine from? You have to leave the helm?)

[ndutton]

I'm truly sorry but without an accurate drawing that shows everything I can't offer anything constructive.