Running Lights/ electrical ?

[Fish Head]

I have 17 ft Sea Ray with a two way toggle switch for the Bow and Stern lights. The Bow light works fine by itself but if I try to use the Stern light and Bow light together neither one comes on. Any hints on what to look for? The bulbs are fine.

 

[Hooty]

Re: Running Lights/ electrical ?

One position should be both off.<br />Next position should be stern light only.<br />Third position should be bow and stern lights.<br /><br />c/6<br /><br />Hooty

 

[Down South]

Re: Running Lights/ electrical ?

It sounds like either your switch is bad or you have a bad connection at the third setting on the switch. You can try a hot jumper wire to the third connection of the switch to ensure that your lights work and you don't have a wiring problem or better yet, hook up a multi meter to that connection to see if there's voltage present with the switch in the third position.<br /><br />Good luck

 

[oldboat1]

Re: Running Lights/ electrical ?

If it's an older boat, the switch might be ready for replacement. You can open the switch up and clean and polish the connections (carefully remove the fiberboard back, keeping the springs in place until you know how to reinstall). If you would rather not fool around with that, however, I think I would just buy a new three way switch.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Running Lights/ electrical ?

Purchase an automotive 12V test light and start probing or use a multimeter to test the wires.<br /><br />Wiring in marine applications is notorious for corrosion (deep corrosion) somethimes the entire length of the wire.<br /><br />Bob