Zapped the switch panel and stereo, can't find fuse!

Lake_BumLake_Bum Member Posts: 1,142 ✭✭✭✭
in Electrical Discussions
Okay so I pulled a rookie mistake today. I was testing the terminal on my switch for courtesy interior lights, and shorted something out that I touched with the test light. I heard a small zap, and it killed power to ALL my switches, for nav lights, bilge pump, blower, courtesy lights, and power to the stereo.  Dumb dumb dumb......what is even dumber, is I cannot find the fuse!  It didn't trip any of the little pop out breakers on the panel, and I crawled under the helm, and there are NO fuses. It didn't trip the big 50 amp on the motor, and I cannot for the life of me find the fuse that got zapped.  
The reason I was messing with it, is I plan on adding a few LED lights to run off the same courtesy light switch, but I screwed up from the get go  :s   What am I missing?   Thanks! 
2000 Captiva 232 
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  • Cableguy GregCableguy Greg Member Posts: 5,077 ✭✭✭✭✭
    There should be a fuse in the engine compartment that runs the helm. It is either by the battery or where the main wiring harness connects together. It will be a thick red wire in the harness that heads to the helm. It has been a few years since I have been in the engine compartment of a 232. I sold mine four years ago. Worst case, reach out to @Alswagg. He will be able to point you in the right direction. 
    2008 280 Express Cruiser, 6.2MPI, B3, Pittsburgh, PA "Blue Ayes" (Sold)
    2022 Cherokee 294GEBG Black Label land yacht. 
    Go Steelers!!!
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  • Lake_BumLake_Bum Member Posts: 1,142 ✭✭✭✭
    Thank you. I looked and looked, and couldn't find one earlier. It's frustrating when you know its something simple haha
    2000 Captiva 232 
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  • Lake_BumLake_Bum Member Posts: 1,142 ✭✭✭✭
    I did find one fuse right by the battery, I didn't trace it back to where it came from, but it did look factory, as the wires went through the back wall, through a sort of plug. It wasn't blown. I will look more tomorrow
    2000 Captiva 232 
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  • Lake_BumLake_Bum Member Posts: 1,142 ✭✭✭✭
    @Cableguy Greg is it one of these? 

    2000 Captiva 232 
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  • Lake_BumLake_Bum Member Posts: 1,142 ✭✭✭✭
    The fuse by the battery was okay, that is the same one with the wires threaded through the wall. The first pic is a fuse that is a PAIN to reach, down way low, behind the block. I'm not sure if it was blown, because I broke the dang thing trying to get it apart! My contortionist skills aren't up to par haha. 
    2000 Captiva 232 
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  • Lake_BumLake_Bum Member Posts: 1,142 ✭✭✭✭
    Another view of the one I broke 
    2000 Captiva 232 
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  • Lake_BumLake_Bum Member Posts: 1,142 ✭✭✭✭
    The one I broke goes to the Mercathode on top of the block. No clue if that fuse could be tied into the gauge panel...this is the first boat i have ever owned, that doesnt have a traditional fuse panel.
    2000 Captiva 232 
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  • Handymans342Handymans342 Member Posts: 10,375 ✭✭✭✭✭
    What kind of boat is this?
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  • Lake_BumLake_Bum Member Posts: 1,142 ✭✭✭✭
    edited March 2017
    Handymans342 said:
    What kind of boat is this?
    @Handymans342 it's a Captiva 232 
    2000 Captiva 232 
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  • Lake_BumLake_Bum Member Posts: 1,142 ✭✭✭✭
    The fuse right by the battery, was from my factory VHF ship to shore radio, so that one is out of the loop...
    2000 Captiva 232 
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  • Cableguy GregCableguy Greg Member Posts: 5,077 ✭✭✭✭✭
    One of those was for the Mercathode. It gets power directly from the battery. Did you find the main harness that goes from the engine room to the helm? It should be on the starboard side of the boat. Follow it back to the engine. There should be a large molex connector with about an 8 AWG red wire in it. Check for power there. You should be able to trace that wire from the connector back to the alternator or the battery. Somewhere there is a fuse.
    2008 280 Express Cruiser, 6.2MPI, B3, Pittsburgh, PA "Blue Ayes" (Sold)
    2022 Cherokee 294GEBG Black Label land yacht. 
    Go Steelers!!!
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  • Lake_BumLake_Bum Member Posts: 1,142 ✭✭✭✭
    Snow is coming tomorrow, so I'm sort of on hold now. Don't ever believe anyone who says it never snows in Arizona 
    2000 Captiva 232 
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  • Lake_BumLake_Bum Member Posts: 1,142 ✭✭✭✭
    STILL cannot find any blown fuses.  This is pissing me off, I'm going to have to PAY a mechanic to troubleshoot something as simple as a fuse  :D
    2000 Captiva 232 
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  • 99270fv99270fv Member Posts: 94 ✭✭
    on my 270 there is a fuse block behind the steering wheel. extremely hard to find and see. found it while installing switch for underwater light. I had the gauge cluster and the key switch panels out running wires and things and found it. 
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  • Lake_BumLake_Bum Member Posts: 1,142 ✭✭✭✭
    I was in there, and didn't see a single fuse under the dash. It's like the fuse block is invisible!  UGH 
    2000 Captiva 232 
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  • Cableguy GregCableguy Greg Member Posts: 5,077 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Did you ask @Alswagg if he has any tips? Send him a PM and see what advice he can give.
    2008 280 Express Cruiser, 6.2MPI, B3, Pittsburgh, PA "Blue Ayes" (Sold)
    2022 Cherokee 294GEBG Black Label land yacht. 
    Go Steelers!!!
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  • Lake_BumLake_Bum Member Posts: 1,142 ✭✭✭✭
    Cableguy Greg said:
    Did you ask @Alswagg if he has any tips? Send him a PM and see what advice he can give.
    I just now did, thanks. I can't believe a stupid fuse has me stumped 
    2000 Captiva 232 
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  • Cableguy GregCableguy Greg Member Posts: 5,077 ✭✭✭✭✭
    If anyone on here would know, it's Al. He used to work at the factory.
    2008 280 Express Cruiser, 6.2MPI, B3, Pittsburgh, PA "Blue Ayes" (Sold)
    2022 Cherokee 294GEBG Black Label land yacht. 
    Go Steelers!!!
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  • Handymans342Handymans342 Member Posts: 10,375 ✭✭✭✭✭
    You could very easily have a bad reset breaker that shows good visabally but did not pop out. Understand?
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  • Lake_BumLake_Bum Member Posts: 1,142 ✭✭✭✭
    Handymans342 said:
    You could very easily have a bad reset breaker that shows good visabally but did not pop out. Understand?
    Yes.  That could be a possibility as well.  I somehow shorted the switch with a test light....it was a definite ZAP.  
    2000 Captiva 232 
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  • Handymans342Handymans342 Member Posts: 10,375 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Any luck on this yet?
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  • Lake_BumLake_Bum Member Posts: 1,142 ✭✭✭✭
    No I never could find the source. My boat is in the shop getting a full spring tuneup, and he's looking at that as well. I'll report back soon 
    2000 Captiva 232 
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  • Lake_BumLake_Bum Member Posts: 1,142 ✭✭✭✭
    Turns out, there was a fuse, tucked in down below the starter. My contortionist skills weren't up to par to see it apparently!   :|
    2000 Captiva 232 
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  • Handymans342Handymans342 Member Posts: 10,375 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Wow
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  • bella-vitabella-vita Member Posts: 411 ✭✭✭
    At least it was only a fuse
    2002 Rinker FV 342
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  • Cableguy GregCableguy Greg Member Posts: 5,077 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Glad you found it.
    2008 280 Express Cruiser, 6.2MPI, B3, Pittsburgh, PA "Blue Ayes" (Sold)
    2022 Cherokee 294GEBG Black Label land yacht. 
    Go Steelers!!!
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  • Lake_BumLake_Bum Member Posts: 1,142 ✭✭✭✭
    It definitely hurt my pride to hear it was that simple haha!  He didn't charge me for it, but the list was long of other things. The boat is completely serviced, and ready to roll for the season now  B)
    2000 Captiva 232 
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  • Dream_InnDream_Inn Member, Moderator Posts: 7,946 mod
    Well, you learned something today & that's good!  & even better, your boat is ready to go!! :)

    Dream 'Inn III -- 2008 400 Express

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