Navigation lights

[msmith7113]

Trying to get the navigation lights working on a 89 Bass Buggy.
At least 4 wires were cut at the battery. I connected one cut wire at a time to the battery until I got power to the accesory switches at the console. I did NOT connect a 2nd wire to the battery ground. My tester is now showing power to each nav light(red,green,white). I don?t know if the red and green lights work because they need bulb replacements.
Problems/questions:
1. I replaced the rear white navigation light with a brand new housing and new bulb. It has flashed on a couple of times for a split second; but will not stay on. Other than a possible short somewhere?..any suggestions?
2. The Nav switch on the console does not turn the power off to the lights. All 3 positions on the Nav switch still results in power to each of the 3 navigation light sockets. Do I need to replace the switch?
3. Looking inside the console; below the distribution panel and fuses; is an additional block with connections. It is in an impossible position to look at closely. Is this a grounding panel for the accessories?
4. Are any of the problems related to not connecting a ground wire to the battery?

Thanks,
Mike

 

[Fl_Richard]

Re: Navigation lights

Are you sending 12VDC into the grounds? This would give you 12 volts at each light and no response from the switch.

 

[brianvolt7]

Re: Navigation lights

I would recommend replacing the switch first. You should be able to turn the lights off. This may take care of the intermittent rear light problem as well.

Are you good with a meter? If you are you should be able to test the switch using the continuity tester for each lug, this will tell you if the switch is operating correctly. In the off position you want an open circuit, in the on you want continuity.

 

[brianvolt7]

Re: Navigation lights

Though you probably know, dont forget to disconnect the wires to the switch first.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Navigation lights

First, if you have a short in an electrical system you blow fuses. Next, throwing parts (a switch in this case) at a problem is not a good diagnostic approach. Find out what's wrong and THEN replace the parts. Since you have no idea whether or not power is going to the lights VIA the switch, that might be the first test. You can't make anything work properly unless you understand what the wires are for that you seem to be connecting in a random fashion. Power needs to get from the battery, via a main fuse or breaker from the positive post on the battery. It goes to the fuse panel at the helm and is then distributed via individual fuses to the various switches. From there it passes to the device (lights in this case) and then back to the negative terminal on the battery -- sometimes via the ground bus on the fuse panel. You really need a $10 multi-tester (volt, ohm, milliammeter) to troubleshoot this system.

 

[msmith7113]

Re: Navigation lights

I am a novice on the subject so everyone's feedback will help me know where to study further.

Basically by connecting one wire at a time to the battery I have found the hot wire that feeds the console and the lights. I am not clear on the grounding situation as it is. I think the boat has been out in the weather its whole life. The back sides of the console switches don't look very healthy; but power is going through each one.

The boat is sitting in the water near a vacation home; so it will be a couple of weeks before I can tinker with it any further.

Thank you for the replies,
Mike

 

[brianvolt7]

Re: Navigation lights

Mike,

Did you get voltage at the lights without the negative battery lead being connected? This should be impossible, is there possibly another battery source you are unaware of?