no bow &stern lights

[jerkoz]

have a pull switch for the lights. power to the switch. when checking for power coming out of switch, there is power even when the pull switch is closed. could I have lost the ground somehow? the wires going to the lights are grey and black. is the ground the black ones? if I lost the ground can I just run new ground wires from the lights to the fuse block?

 

[GA_Boater]

Are yo saying that both switch connections have power all the time?

 

[jerkoz]

no just the first one.

 

[GA_Boater]

Does the other connection go on and off?

 

[jerkoz]

no there is no power

 

[GA_Boater]

Yes there is.

You have power on one connection and the other should have power when the switch is pulled out. You don't, so the switch is bad.

 

[jerkoz]

I will pick up a new switch and try it. thanks for your input.

 

[GA_Boater]

You can verify the switch is bad by connecting a jumper across the two switch connections. The lights should turn on while jumpered.

 

[Grandad]

have a pull switch for the lights. power to the switch. when checking for power coming out of switch, there is power even when the pull switch is closed. could I have lost the ground somehow? the wires going to the lights are grey and black. is the ground the black ones? if I lost the ground can I just run new ground wires from the lights to the fuse block?

Ok, I'm puzzled.
What are you using for a negative reference point as you check for positive power?
When you say "even when the switch is closed", do you mean when the switch is on or off? As an electrician I close a switch to turn it on.
If contacts in the switch are in poor condition, they are sometimes repairable in the old push/pull type that have removable brass coverplates. I was able to renew mine to function as good as new.
- Grandad