toggle switches

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stormy123

Cadet
Joined
Apr 1, 2013
Messages
25
hey guys got a question bout the toggle switches on my 84 thundercraft citation runabout just bought it n it had been sitting outside all winter uncovered none of the toggle switches work except the blower the navigation n anchor switch dont seem to work i can run a hot wire straight off the batt touch it to the front nav wire n it comes on so i no there is no issue in the wiring only thing is that theres like 9 wires coming off that toggle switch there jumped over one to another n some of them contacts have two or three wires on one its a two way switch n i dont think i need the anchor part of the switch do i? i looked at parts n acc n couldnt find one that looked anything like i need can i just put a one way switch n just run the nav lights? does anyone no of a site where i can find a wiring diagram for this boat any info would be appreciated
 
S

stormy123

Cadet
Joined
Apr 1, 2013
Messages
25
Re: toggle switches

stormy123 said:
hey guys got a question bout the toggle switches on my 84 thundercraft citation runabout just bought it n it had been sitting outside all winter uncovered none of the toggle switches work except the blower the navigation n anchor switch dont seem to work i can run a hot wire straight off the batt touch it to the front nav wire n it comes on so i no there is no issue in the wiring only thing is that theres like 9 wires coming off that toggle switch there jumped over one to another n some of them contacts have two or three wires on one its a two way switch n i dont think i need the anchor part of the switch do i? i looked at parts n acc n couldnt find one that looked anything like i need can i just put a one way switch n just run the nav lights? does anyone no of a site where i can find a wiring diagram for this boat any info would be appreciated
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Don S

Don S

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Aug 31, 2004
Messages
62,321
Re: toggle switches

The chances of finding a wiring diagram for an old boat is somewhere between very slim, and none.
The good news is that wiring in boats is basically the same. Look at the switch and follow the wires and the wire color. Check the fuses check the switch. A meter or a test light will actually test things since you can't always look at a wire, fuse, or switch and till if it's good or not.
There is some troubleshooting infomation in the sticky of this forum (First thread on the main page of this forum)
 
Silvertip

Silvertip

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 22, 2003
Messages
28,771
Re: toggle switches

If you have separate NAV and ANC light switches, yes you need the ANC switch. You need both the bow and stern lights when you under way or drifting. At anchor, ONLY the ANC light is to be lit. That tells others you are stationary. The orange wire that is jumpered from one switch to the next is the HOT (+12 volt) feed INTO each switch. The other terminal on the switch is the LOAD (output) side of the switch. If there is 12 volts into the switch and you know for sure by jumping +12 volts directly to the light that it works, then the LOAD connection on the switch needs help or the switch itself is bad. I'm betting it is the connection.
 
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UncleWillie

Captain
Joined
Oct 18, 2011
Messages
3,995
Re: toggle switches

It sound like the common NAV wiring used on most boats.

It is a Double Pole Double Throw(DPDT), Center Off Switch

It has 6 terminals and 5 are in use, 2 will have double lugs on them.
It looks like spaghetti but is not really complicated.
NavWiring.jpg
The first thing to confirm is that the center two terminals have 12 volts on them.
If not, go back to the fuse and see if you can find 12 volts there.

The odds are slim that both sides of the switch went bad or the forward and the aft wires have problems at the same time.
 
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