Fun in the sun.. but no lights or sound...

[tomstehr]

I recently bought a Javelin 379 FS. It starts and runs great! Had to replace the tilt trim motor , but it works now also. The fuel gauge and tach work, but all the other electronics do not. I tried finding a loose wire or blown fuse, but they all seem in tact. I cut the wires on the bilge and hooked them to the battery to see if it was just bad parts, but it worked fine. So did the one aerator pump I tested. So, as long as i dont plan to use the livewells, or trolling motor, or lighter outlet, or stereo, or lights.. I guess its an awsome boat! Besides running new wire from end to end, any suggestions on what to try or look for?
Thanks!

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Fun in the sun.. but no lights or sound...

You've answered your own question. If you have an electrical nightmare, run the new wires. It won't take long and you know it'll be right. You could scab it together to get it to work, but what about X-miles out in the middle of nowhere and something goes wrong? Last thing I ever needed was to give the Mrs. a reason to gripe to me.

 

[tomstehr]

Re: Fun in the sun.. but no lights or sound...

Actually, I was trying to avoid wiring everything over. I didn't know if there may be a relay or fused or fusible link I may be hunting for since it is everything tht does not work, not just one thing! I know you are right about scabbing it, but I was thinking, or maybe hoing, it would be something simple I was just ignorant to. If anybody else has any ideas, I am still open to suggestions. I willstart looking for wiring and switches in the mean time!

 

[tomstehr]

Re: Fun in the sun.. but no lights or sound...

So, would it be wise to run a heavy gauge wire up to the swtich panel from the battery and then gauge down tothe existing wire diameter? Or run a hot wire up for every switch I want to power?

 

[tomstehr]

Re: Fun in the sun.. but no lights or sound...

Wow.. so like am I the only one who thinks there may something simple wrong... like corrosion or somthing or bad ground somewhere?? Maybe I spent to much time under the hood of cars and trucks to think rewiring the whole rig is the easiest answer! Hope somebody has something inspirational to say.. If not, guess I am gonna be a wire pulling, crimping, cutting, switch riggin fool!

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Fun in the sun.. but no lights or sound...

Start from the battery and move forward. Find out where the 12v+ and 12v- wires are running and use a multimeter/testlight along the way until you find yuor problem. It might be a single 25-40 amp fuse that's blown or simple corrosion. Heck, I've even seen boats without any power just to find out that the last person who put in the battery never put on the ring terminal.

If you need to repower the dash, start with a large gauge wire (really depends on the amount of amps you can draw at a given time), such as a 4-6g. Add in an inline fuse (again, depends on the amount of max draw), and then feed a 12v+ and 12v- bus bar. Each item coming from the bus should be fused inline appropriately before the device. I perfer the bus setups with the ATO style fuses built in.

The only difference would be the gauges, which have the 12v+ daisy-chained off of the first gauge.

***Buuuutttt...I still recommend new....juss' sayin'*****

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Fun in the sun.. but no lights or sound...

Why are folks always so eager to rewire the entire boat because a couple of items doen't work. They don't work because they 1) don't have power, 2) don't have ground, or 3) they have gone to electroinics heaven. The very simple troubleshooting technique is to follow the juice. If you don't have a test light or meter, or don't know how to use it if you do have one, then that's the first order of business. You cannot see or hear electricity so you need something to tell you whether it is or is not present. Every device generally has only two connections -- +12 volts and ground. Check it. If present, then the device is bad. If one or the other is missing, work backward to the switch, then the fuse, then the +12 volt buss. Or, start at the +12 volt buss and work toward the device.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Fun in the sun.. but no lights or sound...

Why are folks always so eager to rewire the entire boat because a couple of items don't work. They don't work because they 1) don't have power, 2) don't have ground, or 3) they have gone to electronics heaven. The very simple troubleshooting technique is to follow the juice. If you don't have a test light or meter, or don't know how to use it if you do have one, then that's the first order of business. You cannot see or hear electricity so you need something to tell you whether it is or is not present. Every device generally has only two connections -- +12 volts and ground. Check it. If present, then the device is bad. If one or the other is missing, work backward to the switch, then the fuse, then the +12 volt buss. Or, start at the +12 volt buss and work toward the device.

+1

Stop cutting Wires and don't replace anything until you know what the problem is!
You are probably correct. A simple problem.
If 6 things don't work you have one problem affecting all of them, not 6 problems.
Ask yourself, "What do these item have in common?" Same Fuse? Same Switch? Same Ground Point?
Get one to work and you will likely fix all of them and learn how the boat works in the process!
Find where you have power and move one connection at a time until you don't.

LOOKING at everything will tell you nothing.
You need a Meter/Test Light unless you are a SuperHero with Electron Vision!

 

[tomstehr]

Re: Fun in the sun.. but no lights or sound...

Silvertip and Uncle Willie: I stopped cutting wires after I pulled something out and touched the battery to see if it actually was not working.. I know how to use a test light and a voltage meter, but I was kinda thrown off by the fact I cant just ground anywhere as this is a glass boat. My guess is that all these things have a common ground and a power source from the battery. Again, posting my concern and discust at the thought of taking all the wiring out and starting over, I knew there was a better solution and wanted to get some perspective. Thanks guys! I will update when I get forward progress with this issue!

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Fun in the sun.. but no lights or sound...

... I was kinda thrown off by the fact I cant just ground anywhere as this is a glass boat.

Define a point that you are going to call "Ground."
Battery, Engine Block, A Ground Block, it doesn't matter where, just pick one and declare it "Reference Ground."
Make all your measurements from that point, if you keep moving your Ground point you will go nuts!
You will likely need to extend your test lead with a long wire.

Either follow the voltage to the Non-Working device or follow the lack of voltage from the device to the voltage source.

Don't forget that the ground side of the device SHOULD/MUST measure Zero.
If it measures 12v that indicates a LACK of Ground.

 

[tomstehr]

Re: Fun in the sun.. but no lights or sound...

Roger... The only for sure "ground" I know is the negative terminal on the battery right now! I am getting somewire so I can secure it to the terminal and use as a lead for the test light. I was trying the body of the lighter outlet, as this is what I knew would be grounded from automotive experience. Since I had no power when using the test light, I started to thing I either had no power to the fuse panel, or was missing ground.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Fun in the sun.. but no lights or sound...

Every gauge on the instrument panel has a ground connection. Follow it to it's source which will either pass through the engine harness to the engine block and then the negative battery terminal. Or it will pass via the boat harness (the red and black #8 or 10 gauge) wires attached at the battery. That pair is the "house" side of the boat and typically powers all accessories EXCEPT the instruments.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Fun in the sun.. but no lights or sound...

... Had to replace the tilt trim motor ... it works now ... The fuel gauge and tach work, but all the other electronics do not...

Now there is a Clue if I ever saw one!

What did you knock loose ot forget to hook back up?

 

[tomstehr]

Re: Fun in the sun.. but no lights or sound...

Now there is a Clue if I ever saw one!

What did you knock loose ot forget to hook back up?

Actually, nothing! The trim motor was locked up with rust an water. I could here it click the solinoid, but it didnt do anything, as in the pump wouldn't run. The only wires I disconnected were the wires in the engine cowl that had to do with the trim. I wish it was that easy though!

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Fun in the sun.. but no lights or sound...

...The only wires I disconnected were the wires in the engine cowl...

You haven't said when the last time everything worked.
Assuming everything worked before the pump repair, that is the likely area to start.

Make no assumptions and remove all emotions about guilt/fault from the exercise. Just find the problem.
No one is claiming that you intentionally knocked any wires loose or are absentminded.
Do not assume anything unless proven and then proven again independently.

You do not have power to multiple systems.
This a classic appliance repair, "Is it plugged in?" situation.

The repairman asks the customer. "Is it pugged in?"
The customer replies, "I didn't Unplug it!"

The question is, "Is it plugged in?"
It doesn't matter how it became unplugged.
Until you verify that it is plugged in and the circuit has power, assume it isn't, and doesn't!

Now if the issue existed before the pump pepair.... Just keep this for future reference.

 

[tomstehr]

Re: Fun in the sun.. but no lights or sound...

Now if the issue existed before the pump pepair.... Just keep this for future reference.

Wilco.. Yes.. this problem existed before I unhooked or cut or disconnected anything. I try to be cautious about what I am doing and what I have done before I say there is a problem. I know there were a lot of times when working on a vehicle it was something small that made a big differance! I think one of my favorites was helping someone at the gas pump who couldnt get their car started. Problem: they did not put the transmission in park.
Not that I am saying I am above error or incapable of making mistakes, that is why I have no issue with asking for help from others! I will keep hunting and testing to find the cause of the problem an then do what is best to solve the issue and ensure it stays solved! Thanks to everyone who has replied and offered some information to keep e moving forward!