280 Sundancer right side switch panel

[ajnader]

I have a 2002 280 Sundancer and the panel switch that control my lights, radio, anchor, fresh water, etc.. is giving me a lot of problems. Some days it works and some days is dead. When I unplug it and plug it back all the lights on the panel lights up but 1 second later the panel is completely off. I don't want to buy the panel for $389 and then find out this was not the problem. How can you check if the damage part is the Switch panel or the electric interface module? Also, sometimes when I press any of the buttons on the panel some lights from the left panel lights on, are these 2 panels connected? This is driving me crazy and I will appreciate any help. Can this problem maybe caused by something else other than the panel and/or the interface module?
Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[boatmailster]

there is no way to test units (maybe manufacturer has some specialized setup for quality control, but nothing for field test). you may have to eat restocking fee or borrow keypad from other boat to test your keypad and interface module. And yes those keypads are connected together via interface module. Not sure about your boat but there may be another interface module in bilge and keypad harness splitter under dash.

 

[ajnader]

there is no way to test units (maybe manufacturer has some specialized setup for quality control, but nothing for field test). you may have to eat restocking fee or borrow keypad from other boat to test your keypad and interface module. And yes those keypads are connected together via interface module. Not sure about your boat but there may be another interface module in bilge and keypad harness splitter under dash.

Thanks for the information. Do you think the switch panel is good because all the LEDs light up when you disconnect and connect the switch panel?
Thanks

 

[Henry Boyd]

there is no way to test units (maybe manufacturer has some specialized setup for quality control, but nothing for field test). you may have to eat restocking fee or borrow keypad from other boat to test your keypad and interface module. And yes those keypads are connected together via interface module. Not sure about your boat but there may be another interface module in bilge and keypad harness splitter under dash.

Boatmailster,

I don't know where you are buying electric parts from Sea Ray where they accept returns with a stocking fee. Please share with the rest of us. Every time I have bought electric parts there has been a strict NO Return if opened policy.

Ajnader,

The info in boatmailster's post may be inaccurate. Before you buy any electric/electronic parts from Sea Ray make sure you can return them. Even when I have purchased minor electric parts from Sea Ray there has been a strict no return policy for opened items.

Henry

 

[ajnader]

I jumped in the boat yesterday and all the switches were working fine, how can this be possible? This had happen before, I go out on a full weekend and one day all my switches are fine and the next day they are all gone. Sometimes all the lights on the panel are off but my lights are on, my horn works, my anchor doesn't work, etc...
Any idea whats going on? I'm still deciding what to buy first, the switch panel or the electronic module (fuse box).

 

[Henry Boyd]

Have you tried checking the condition of the power and ground lines for the EIM? A bad ground connection to the EIM might be the problem as everything on the EIM gets grounded through that point.

Before messing with this, make sure the batteries are disconnected. Don't rely on the battery switches to isolate the EIM.

Henry

 

[BritChick]

We have just had the same problem. I thought it may have been the forward EIM and replaced that but no joy. When the issue started with mine both panel started act funny when the right panel did . I have ordered a panel but until I get it (which can take up to 4 weeks) I have figured out that you can take the nuts off the back of the panel. SInce things work a short period of time once you turn on the items like Stereo, depth finder and water pump can then unplug the panel and the left panel will then work fine. When you need to turn something else on you just plug the right panel turn it the item on or off then unplug it again. The items will not turn on or off agian until you tell them to as the relays in the EIM are not getting signals to do so. This is also a good way to test to make sure it is the right panel and not the left. If you unplug the right panel and everything goes back to normal on the left then you may have found your problem. At least it has worked for us.

 

[ajnader]

Have you tried checking the condition of the power and ground lines for the EIM? A bad ground connection to the EIM might be the problem as everything on the EIM gets grounded through that point.

Before messing with this, make sure the batteries are disconnected. Don't rely on the battery switches to isolate the EIM.

Henry

How do you test if you have a good ground? With the tester I know there are 13.9 volts going in the EIM.

 

[Presentation]

How do you test if you have a good ground? With the tester I know there are 13.9 volts going in the EIM.

Please read BritChick's post above. You just found a way to test your panel.




BritChick - I dont know why ajnader did not give you a thank you but down the road I may need this informaiton too, so Thank you.

 

[boatmailster]

Boatmailster,

I don't know where you are buying electric parts from Sea Ray where they accept returns with a stocking fee. Please share with the rest of us. Every time I have bought electric parts there has been a strict NO Return if opened policy.

Ajnader,

The info in boatmailster's post may be inaccurate. Before you buy any electric/electronic parts from Sea Ray make sure you can return them. Even when I have purchased minor electric parts from Sea Ray there has been a strict no return policy for opened items.

Henry

Alway bought from Marinemax on Long Island and before purchase was made I verified about return.There is no way I drop almost $1500 for parts when I need only one and nobody knows which part can be faulty. I rather eat 15% restocking fee than keep those parts.

 

[BritChick]

Still waiting on my switch panel but for the time being I have taken the five bolts off the panel and just left the harness hanging out. when I need to turn anything on the right panel on I just plug it in turn it on and then unplug it right away . Work for the time being.

Crazy that you can not test these things or the local dealers do not have one laying around that their "loyal" Searay customers could use. What a joke.