Navigation Lights Problem on New Boat

[topwaterlure]

I have a 2010 Suntracker 1 week old. The navigation lights nor anchor light will work. I get no lights from the navigation or anchor position on the toggle. The gauges do light up on the dash.

Is it possible to have a bad switch?

I need to fix this myself vs taking it back.

(all fuses are ok)

When I picked it up it seemed the dealer had some trouble getting the lights to come on in the first place. After a few tries they came on. I asked him what was the problem and he said he just didn't have the switch up all the way

Was out on the lake and realized they were not working so had to make a quick run back before dark and got pulled over by the game warden for no lights!

Thanks in advance.

 

[DJ]

Re: Navigation Lights Problem on New Boat

You may have another switch on the dash you can use for testing.

Just move the wires (two of them) over there.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Navigation Lights Problem on New Boat

Well if you have a meter or a 12 volt test light go to the back of the switch.
Connect meter or test lamp black to the ground bus first.
Then touch the RED meter lead or the test light to the wires on the back of the switch.
The common terminal should be 12 volts or test lamp on.
If it is not then follow wires back to the power source.

If you have 12 volts to the common switch lead then test the other 2 terminals with the switch in difference positions. If again have 12 volts the follow wire to the light it self.

If you have 12 volts on the 12volt side of the light but no light then check the ground side of the light. If it also has 12 volts then follow the ground wire back to ground bus then to the battery

If you have 12 volts on one side of the lamp and ground on the other side then check the light socket it self and the lamp.

Since you have two bad positions I suspect it is not the switch.
More likely the ground is not hooked up or 12 volts is not reaching the switch.
Could be a bad fuse or wired wrong.

 

[topwaterlure]

Re: Navigation Lights Problem on New Boat

I pulled the panel on the fuse box but there isn't anything telling which fuse is for what. The manual doesn't say either

I am going to go to the boat today to try to check things with the volt meter.

Is there anywhere to find a wiring diagram for the switch? How do I know which one is the ground bus?

If I am checking for a bad ground how do I do this? I assume there is a ground that goes from the fuse box to the battery. I guess if that is the case the reason I'm confused. If the gauge lights are working then that seems like the ground to the fuse box would be good.

Thanks for all the help.

 

[topwaterlure]

Re: Navigation Lights Problem on New Boat

You may have another switch on the dash you can use for testing.

Just move the wires (two of them) over there.

Thanks for the information. The accessory switch is working. It is on what I think is the 24 volt system.

I had a 24 volt trolling motor added so they set up a 24 volt system. The radio should be on the 24 volt system and the radio is controlled by the accessory switch.

I believe the navigation and anchor lights are on the cranking battery system.

I don't know if I have easy room to move the wires over like you suggested. I do have easier access with the volt meter to the navigation light switch. I just am not sure which poles to test.

Thanks for the help.

 

[topwaterlure]

Re: Navigation Lights Problem on New Boat

One other thing I want to clarify. It did work when I got it. It just didn't seem to come on right away. But it worked for about a week. So at one time it was working.

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: Navigation Lights Problem on New Boat

Id still take it back and have them fix it.
You didnt buy a brand new boat to work on.

 

[topwaterlure]

Re: Navigation Lights Problem on New Boat

Id still take it back and have them fix it.
You didnt buy a brand new boat to work on.

I agree. I am just trying to make it easier on me. If its a simple wiring issue it would be easier if I fixed it. I have it stored in a wetslip pretty far away. I would have to trailer it back to the dealer which is really far from me as well.

At the same time I guess I'm thinking it would be good if I learn something things about the boat so I can take care of it in the future. I hate not knowing how things work

But yes I'm bummed out that I have had it a week and already a problem. Hopefully this will be an easy one to take care of.

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: Navigation Lights Problem on New Boat

The reason i say that is because you can void a warranty if you mess with it. I good tech of any kind can tell when someone has been playing around with something.

Use it during the day, then make arrangments with the dealer to take it in when you can.

 

[seabob4]

Re: Navigation Lights Problem on New Boat

Gotta agree with Biffle on this one. Hell, the damn dealer ought to send one of his mechanics to the boat! Raise your voice a little, they'll listen...

 

[NYBo]

Re: Navigation Lights Problem on New Boat

Thanks for the information. The accessory switch is working. It is on what I think is the 24 volt system.

I had a 24 volt trolling motor added so they set up a 24 volt system. The radio should be on the 24 volt system and the radio is controlled by the accessory switch.

Nope. The main electrical system is 12V. Only the trolling motor will have 24V. However, they may have wired something improperly when setting it up. Time to trace all the wires from the batteries.

 

[topwaterlure]

Re: Navigation Lights Problem on New Boat

Nope. The main electrical system is 12V. Only the trolling motor will have 24V. However, they may have wired something improperly when setting it up. Time to trace all the wires from the batteries.

The tech told me that he had the radio on the 24 volt system which is controlled via the accessory switch. But you are right. I think now I'm going to check everything.

I'm going tomorrow to check it out. Thanks

 

[lncoop]

Re: Navigation Lights Problem on New Boat

The reason i say that is because you can void a warranty if you mess with it. I good tech of any kind can tell when someone has been playing around with something.

Use it during the day, then make arrangments with the dealer to take it in when you can.

He's right. Don't touch it. They'll take any excuse you give them for voiding the warranty. Even though it's inconvenient, make arrangements for them to fix it. You'll thank yourself later.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Navigation Lights Problem on New Boat

I would also suggest they NOT wire the accessories into the 24 volt system. Yes this can be done safely. But done incorrectly a bad ground down the road can "toast" every electronic device on the boat including engine electronics. Does this boat have two or three batteries? (Two for the troller and one for the engine, or did they do you the disfavor of using the starting battery as one of the two batteries for the troller. If they did that, keel-haul the dude.

 

[seabob4]

Re: Navigation Lights Problem on New Boat

Good to see Tracker is NOT letting their reputation down...

 

[topwaterlure]

Re: Navigation Lights Problem on New Boat

I would also suggest they NOT wire the accessories into the 24 volt system. Yes this can be done safely. But done incorrectly a bad ground down the road can "toast" every electronic device on the boat including engine electronics. Does this boat have two or three batteries? (Two for the troller and one for the engine, or did they do you the disfavor of using the starting battery as one of the two batteries for the troller. If they did that, keel-haul the dude.

There is 3 batteries. After inspecting I'm figuring that only the trolling motor is hooked up to the 24 volt system. I actually had asked for the accessories to be hooked up to the 24 volt system mainly cause I never wanted to worry about cranking up after being out on the lake not running for a long time. But maybe that is me not knowing any better.

 

[topwaterlure]

Re: Navigation Lights Problem on New Boat

Ok here is the temporary conclusion.

I checked the switch and it was not getting power. I traced the wires back to the fuse box to indentify which fuse controlled the navigation lights.

I replaced that fuse and it worked. So a mysterious bad fuse. It wasn't an obvious bad fuse. I had checked them before.

So maybe a fluke and just a defective fuse or something caused it to blow.

I guess I will have to see if it does it again. Hopefully not.

I did learn a lot about the boat during all this so that is good. I also found an ipod hookup for my radio!

Thanks for all the help!

 

[seabob4]

Re: Navigation Lights Problem on New Boat

And that is just the beginning of your learning curve...

Enjoy the boat, my friend!

 

[NYBo]

Re: Navigation Lights Problem on New Boat

Ok here is the temporary conclusion.

I checked the switch and it was not getting power. I traced the wires back to the fuse box to indentify which fuse controlled the navigation lights.

I replaced that fuse and it worked. So a mysterious bad fuse. It wasn't an obvious bad fuse. I had checked them before.

So maybe a fluke and just a defective fuse or something caused it to blow.

I guess I will have to see if it does it again. Hopefully not.

I did learn a lot about the boat during all this so that is good. I also found an ipod hookup for my radio!

Thanks for all the help!