2012 Speedster 150 NAV Lights

[WaTeRMaNiaC407]

Hey Everyone,

Earlier in the year I went to turn on my NAV lights at the helm and they didn't come on and the dash illumination was not working either. The toggle switch itself has an LED indicator when it is on and it was illuminated. I turned the switch off and went to grab a meter to check the fuse and before I did anything else, I flicked the switch again and the lights were all of a sudden working again.

Once they started working they were fine and you couldn't get them to not work.

This happened one more time a couple months later and then they started working again almost right away.

This morning, I was checking things over on the boat again and decided to check the NAV lights and it is the same problem. LED lights on the toggle switch, fuse is good. (If the fuse is removed the LED won't even light on the toggle). This time I can't get them to come back on.

I am not quite sure how to troubleshoot this because I know the switch works, the fuse is good and I know that the lights are not burned out. The service manual does not seem to be much help in this area either.

Any ideas on some first steps? The last thing I want is to be hanging out on the water until dark and have no lights.

 

[devonte007]

What you described really sounds like a malfunctioning switch to me, and one that needs to be cleaned or replaced. Could also be a bad intermittent fuse or dirty fuse holder contacts.

I realize you stated that you "know the switch works", but how do you know so? Just because the LED light on the switch goes on/off is not clear indication the switch works.

There are sets of contacts inside the switch that typically get dirty and can be easily cleaned. Moisture, dirt, salt, etc. can easily get in there and gum up the contacts. Sometimes activating the switch a few times cleans it and it will work again. I read a post somewhere not too long ago (may have even been this forum) about how to take these switches apart and clean them. I'll try to find it and post a link for you.

Here you go:
http://www.seadooforum.com/showthread.php?65736-Repair-Rocker-Switches&highlight=switch+contacts

 

[Coastiejoe]

I am not quite sure how to troubleshoot this because I know the switch works,,,

What you KNOW is that the LED on the switch is working. That does not mean that voltage is passing through the switch. For that matter, if the switch is dirty or has a poor connection, the LED may light as it requires very low amperage. Your boat lights require MANY amps by comparison.

 

[WaTeRMaNiaC407]

I agree! I KNOW that LED is working. I am going to try and get at it tonight with a meter and see if it is functioning. The problem is that, if you look at the switch on any of the parts sites for SeaDoo parts, The toggle switch part number 278002698 is not available if the switch is bad. Hopefully, if it is bad, it can be cleaned.

 

[Coastiejoe]

I agree! I KNOW that LED is working. I am going to try and get at it tonight with a meter and see if it is functioning. The problem is that, if you look at the switch on any of the parts sites for SeaDoo parts, The toggle switch part number 278002698 is not available if the switch is bad. Hopefully, if it is bad, it can be cleaned.

Tons of multi-function switches out there in the marine world. Should be no issue in the event you need a new switch.
I assume one one direction it does the anchor light, centered is nothing, other direction is running lights? If so, very common part.

 

[WaTeRMaNiaC407]

There are sets of contacts inside the switch that typically get dirty and can be easily cleaned. Moisture, dirt, salt, etc. can easily get in there and gum up the contacts. Sometimes activating the switch a few times cleans it and it will work again. I read a post somewhere not too long ago (may have even been this forum) about how to take these switches apart and clean them. I'll try to find it and post a link for you.

Here you go:
http://www.seadooforum.com/showthread.php?65736-Repair-Rocker-Switches&highlight=switch+contacts

I remember reading that article too! I have the toggle switch type on the 2012 as opposed to the rocker switch, so I am not sure that they can be taken apart as easily. I know that it is a pain to even reach them from under the console.

I do appreciate you looking and finding the article though!

 

[WaTeRMaNiaC407]

Tons of multi-function switches out there in the marine world. Should be no issue in the event you need a new switch.
I assume one one direction it does the anchor light, centered is nothing, other direction is running lights? If so, very common part.

That is how it functions, I guess I am still trying to hang on to the idea that I can replace parts with the OEM parts but I do realize that there really isn't too much special about the switch other than it has an amber LED that illuminates when activated. (or supposedly activated)

 

[Coastiejoe]

That is how it functions, I guess I am still trying to hang on to the idea that I can replace parts with the OEM parts but I do realize that there really isn't too much special about the switch other than it has an amber LED that illuminates when activated. (or supposedly activated)

There are switches that light up when activated in the aftermarket world...

 

[xintersecty]

when you pull your panel off take a picture of the switch behind the panel. You will often find numbers that will match an OEM. Paste the picture here and we will glad to find your part for you. And btw, toggle switches are easier to source than the rocker switches.

 

[WaTeRMaNiaC407]

I spent a couple hours last night with this.

I had the anchor light installed and verified that it would light with the switch in both the anchor only position and in the running position. The front NAV lights and the helm would not light up at all.

I had to remove the stereo to get anywhere close to the bottom switch. It seems impossible to remove the switch without major disassembly of the helm. I was able to get to the connector under the switch but there was not a lot of room for my hands. It is a 6 pin connector and it would not even come apart. I found the release for the connector but it still seemed as if they were almost glue together. I am sure that they weren't glued together but I didn't want to force anything and actually cause a bigger problem right in the middle of the boating season. I was able to do some testing with a meter and at least part of the switch was functioning. With six test points it was very difficult to figure out what the logic was supposed to be.

In any case, I took some DeOxIT and applied it to the top of the switch and to each wire in the 6 pin connector. I tried the switch again and it was still not working. I kept trying the switch gently trying to work in the DeOxIT and then all of a sudden the lights were working and the dash was lit. Then, no matter what I did with the switch, I could not get it to not work or even act like the connection was poor.

The bottom line is that it is all working for now. I hope it lasts! I would like to replace the switch but it seems like an off season project because it is so hard to get to. I attached a pic of the switch from the top after it was working and a picture of the connector underneath the helm.

Thanks for everyone's help with this problem.

 

[xintersecty]

DeOxIT RULES AGAIN! Congratulations on working the switch. Interestingly I had light issues too, replace my light only to find it was the switch. BTW, IMHO, I think everybody should be switching their lights out for LEDs as they are brighter and can shine further.