Please help. Switch Pads at helm intermittent power.

Randy Coleman

Member
May 28, 2021
49
Boca Raton FL.
Boat Info
Kay-LinSea
2005 340 Sundancer
8.1 Horizons with Vdrives.
Engines
8.1 merc V drive
hi All.

I have asked a similar question but wanted to start a new thread in hopes of someone having an idea of what's going on.

2005 340DA with 8.1's drives.

The power to my helm switch pads is intermittent.
everything on the boat runs and works as it should.

I have lost power to all the accessory, windlass, hatch, vent window, lights so basically everything on the L and R switch pads on Starboard side solenoid

Now, here's where it gets interesting.
Today, I was able to get power to the switches for about 30seconds and then it goes away.
So, I was finally able to raise the engine room hatch however, once the switch was pushed to go up, it would not stop going up until I turned off the solenoid switch.
And, when putting the hatch down, I could not stop it so it bent the hatch bracket mounted to the hatch.
Thats for another post.

Anyways, can some please tell me where to start?
Both left and right switch pads have intermittent power.
When a button is used, you can turn on whatever you push, but you can't turn it off.
Engines and generator start and run with zero issues.
Batteries are fine.

Is there a bus or solenoid that feed those pads?
It's both sides and all switches not a single switch.

I'm open to any and all suggestions..

Thanks,
Randy
 
Can you post a picture of the keypads? It sounds like you might have an Electronic Interface Module (EIM) bad system. Do a search on the site there are dozens of threads.

Sea Ray and others have replacement units now, and Flounder Pounder Marine has retrofit kits to use conventional carling switches. Unfortunately neither are cheap.

https://www.fpmarine.com/Kidney-EIM-Replacement-System-p/sr-panel-eim-280-340-kidney.htm

thanks for the info.
I’m just curious as to why both side would go out at the same time?
It’s not just one switch, it’s all the switches on both sides at the same time. But they seem independent of each other.
I was able to trace the wires from each side to a bus of some sort under the helm so I need to see where that leads me too.
 
Do your keypads run into a junction box that looks similar to this? Two EIMs on that boat?
PXL_20210730_220152054.jpg


This box is undocumented by the wiring diagram at least in my 2008 290DA.
 
thanks for the info.
I’m just curious as to why both side would go out at the same time?
It’s not just one switch, it’s all the switches on both sides at the same time. But they seem independent of each other.
I was able to trace the wires from each side to a bus of some sort under the helm so I need to see where that leads me too.
It's most likely a bad EIM which explains why it would effect everything. Unfortunately Sea Ray doens't support it any longer. Research the flounder pounder kit above. Good luck.
 
Do your keypads run into a junction box that looks similar to this? Two EIMs on that boat?
View attachment 111324

This box is undocumented by the wiring diagram at least in my 2008 290DA.

Pyro, YES, both panels,L&R, have a small wire bundle that plugs into a box like the one in your picture.
Then, there’s another plug that goes out somewhere but haven’t had time to chase where that wire bundle goes to.
It’s like a junction box or bus of some sort.
This is a new problem and intermittent so hate to throw $4k at it before I make sure it’s not something easier to deal with.
 
I would recommend getting a Searay or similar electric certified mechanic to look at it. Replacing an EIM may or may not be the problem, but yes,, too major expense to do self analysis.

Good luck.
 
Update.

Spent some time yesterday troubleshooting our problem with the EIM.
Found that when I disconnect both switch pads from the small bus under the helm, reinsert just the left switch pad, the left side worked as it should.
Tried just the right side and it may work for a few seconds and then it cuts out again.
Appears to me that it’s the right side switch pad causing all the problems.
Searched for a replacement but no luck so far.
Marine max has the left side ($360) but no right side units in stock.
Can anyone offer any advice as to where I can find a right side switch pad?
A64CEF21-A10A-4AAE-A042-83FFF081C828.jpeg
BA564464-D994-4478-833B-E5791B67D530.jpeg
D2F99BFA-E108-4682-B86D-8484A959AB96.jpeg
 
Most likely the EIM is whats causing the issue, you switches are controlled by a chip in the EIM box. The so called switches control the replays in the EIM
upload_2021-9-6_14-59-48.png
 
Update.

Spent some time yesterday troubleshooting our problem with the EIM.
Found that when I disconnect both switch pads from the small bus under the helm, reinsert just the left switch pad, the left side worked as it should.
Tried just the right side and it may work for a few seconds and then it cuts out again.
Appears to me that it’s the right side switch pad causing all the problems.
Searched for a replacement but no luck so far.
Marine max has the left side ($360) but no right side units in stock.
Can anyone offer any advice as to where I can find a right side switch pad?View attachment 111548View attachment 111549View attachment 111550
I also had a bad stbd side switch pad. Pulled all EIM stuff out and replaced with fuses. toggle and rocker switches.
 
Well, it appears that both my switch pads work fine so my problem is with the eim box itself.
I bit the bullet and ordered the retrofit kit from FP marine.

I’ll be listing both my switch pads for sale once the install is complete.

thanks for everyone’s advice.
Hated spending that kind of money on this issue but figure in the long run, I’ll not have to worry about this again.
 
Please post up some pictures as you retrofit your boat with real switches.

With the number of post's I read on CSR about switch pads being inoperative is it as common as one would think?
 
How do you know the EIM is bad? Especially if plugging in the second keypad brought the system down?

Check your PMs. I am interested in your partial working parts in any condition.
 
Well, it appears that both my switch pads work fine so my problem is with the eim box itself.
I bit the bullet and ordered the retrofit kit from FP marine.

I’ll be listing both my switch pads for sale once the install is complete.

thanks for everyone’s advice.
Hated spending that kind of money on this issue but figure in the long run, I’ll not have to worry about this again.
Randy, I'm interested in your old EIMs, switch pads, and hub if you are still interested in selling them.
 
I will be selling my entire system once I install the new system.
Hopefully be early next week.
 

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