Tracker Interior Lights

[trackerjoe86]

Has anyone had a problem with the interior (convenience) lights on a Tracker boat? I have a new Targa V18 (4 months old) and my battery was dead the other day so I charged the cranking battery and when I attached the leads I noticed the interior lights were on. This is definitely what drained my battery. All you're supposed to do is push the light to turn it off. Well I pushed and pushed and it would not go off and when it finally decided to turn off it came back on after 10 seconds or so. I figure these cheap lights are used on other boats too. I like the Tracker boat but trying to get any information or help from the Tracker people is absolutely worthless.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Tracker Interior Lights

If it's only four months old you have a warranty issue. Have you contacted the dealer?

 

[theBrownskull]

Re: Tracker Interior Lights

Sounds like a contact issue in the light. They do that sometimes...defective. They will fix it. My Tahoe boat had a problem with a thru-hull fitting and they fixed it without any problems. Install a battery switch as well and when your not using it just turn off the switch.

 

[trackerjoe86]

Re: Tracker Interior Lights

I'm waiting for a response back from the dealer and from Tracker boats. I think Tracker, as well as most companies, take the approach of once you buy the boat it's your problem. Trying to contact someone knowledgeable is near impossible. It's amazing how you can read about issues on many chat forums about well known issues and once you contact the company they say that's the first time they've heard of this issue. Same thing happened to my truck. 90% of all 2004-2008 F150 have this issue that costs $800+ to fix but Ford has never heard of the problem. I'm going to take your advice and put a battery switch in then simply turn it off when not in use. At least it's not a safety issue. Thanks.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Tracker Interior Lights

Joe, I know what you're saying, about Tracker and Ford. I've had the same experience with my 2005 Expedition and 2001 Suntracker with regard to the manufacturers' level of, ahem, helpfulness. It seems no one has any pride in their work or stands behind their products any more except for the independent guys. But, I think you need to take a breath and approach this logically. If you buy a new truck and something goes wrong you don't call the manufacturer for satisfaction. You call the dealer. If you bought this boat new from a dealer it's under warranty, and they're obliged to insure that it functions properly. If the person you've talked to won't take care of it talk to his/her boss and continue with that approach until you're satisfied. Throwing up your hands in disgust and saying "stupid manufacturers, I give up" will only let the responsible parties off the hook. Good luck.

 

[briangcc]

Re: Tracker Interior Lights

Here's what I use on my Four Winns:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MOR-74104/

They also make them in Top Post configurations. If you do a search you can probably get them cheaper.

Just twist the plastic knob and the battery is disconnected. Pull it if you so desire but remember where you stashed it when you go to start the boat.

 

[theBrownskull]

Re: Tracker Interior Lights

trackerjoe86,

I hear what your saying, nothing makes you more frustrated than warranty type problems. Talk to the dealer and go from there. There is a thing called the "bathtub curve" where failure for machines (or anything new) is the highest at the beginning and the ending. Once you get to the bottom end of the curve it will have worry free problems for many years. Just keep plugging along it will work out.

 

[theBrownskull]

Re: Tracker Interior Lights

trackerjoe86,

I hear what your saying, nothing makes you more frustrated than warranty type problems. Talk to the dealer and go from there. There is a thing called the "bathtub curve" where failure for machines (or anything new) is the highest at the beginning and the ending. Once you get to the bottom end of the curve it will have worry free problems for many years. Just keep plugging along it will work out.

 

[trackerjoe86]

Re: Tracker Interior Lights

I did go back to the dealer for the Ford thing and that's when they said they had no clue about this issue and gave me the $800 price tag. That is the issue about the 50 cent plastic damper door that cracks and will not rotate when you pick which direction you want the air to flow (defrost, floor....) They have to remove the entire dash. Back to the subject at hand. I have contacted the dealer about 3 days ago and still have not had a return call. I even called saying I wanted to talk to someone about buying a new boat, just to get someone on the phone, then proceeded to tell them my issue. I had to be transferred to the correct person. I stayed calm thru this whole process without screaming at someone but it hasn't helped. I really hope I don't have any major issues with the boat because it may end up in court just to get it fixed. I may just replace these crap lights with some nice LED's and save my effort for a good battle IF the day ever comes for something larger.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Tracker Interior Lights

I did go back to the dealer for the Ford thing and that's when they said they had no clue about this issue and gave me the $800 price tag. That is the issue about the 50 cent plastic damper door that cracks and will not rotate when you pick which direction you want the air to flow (defrost, floor....) They have to remove the entire dash. Back to the subject at hand. I have contacted the dealer about 3 days ago and still have not had a return call. I even called saying I wanted to talk to someone about buying a new boat, just to get someone on the phone, then proceeded to tell them my issue. I had to be transferred to the correct person. I stayed calm thru this whole process without screaming at someone but it hasn't helped. I really hope I don't have any major issues with the boat because it may end up in court just to get it fixed. I may just replace these crap lights with some nice LED's and save my effort for a good battle IF the day ever comes for something larger.

Oh no Joe! I assumed you were talking about the infamous breaking spark plugs or the incredible cracking throttle body. Now you've given me something else to worry about LOL.:facepalm: Good luck with the issue whatever you decide to do.