Cockpit Light

[Cheap Guy]

I’ve learned to come here before I get frustrated and break stuff. Anyone know how to remove the lens from this light in my rear cockpit area? I tried prying it off and unscrewing but neither worked.

Btw, I got my speedo to work again perfectly by blowing out the tube from the back of the unit and the manifold and riser replacement seems all good. Just got to get the trim to work properly from the throttle lever (won’t go up except with the trailer switch - hopefully just the solenoid) and my initial to do list will be done.

 

[techmitch]

What is that in front of the lens and is it mounted on an edge?

 

[Cheap Guy]

What is that in front of the lens and is it mounted on an edge?

That’s just the trim piece that hides the light from above. I took the pic from underneath. The entire light is just screwed into the side of the gunwale.

 

[Nater Potater]

Just got to get the trim to work properly from the throttle lever (won’t go up except with the trailer switch - hopefully just the solenoid) and my initial to do list will be done.

Solenoid does double-duty for both trim and trailer, so it's not the solenoid. It's more likely the limit switch out back on the gimbal ring that determines that. Pretty common on our older boats. Be aware that the bell housing has to come off to replace that switch, so you might as well replace the bellows and gimbal bearing while you're at it.

 

[Cheap Guy]

Solenoid does double-duty for both trim and trailer, so it's not the solenoid. It's more likely the limit switch out back on the gimbal ring that determines that. Pretty common on our older boats. Be aware that the bell housing has to come off to replace that switch, so you might as well replace the bellows and gimbal bearing while you're at it.

Had all that done two seasons ago but still didn’t work, but that was the same mechanic that screwed up some other stuff so who knows what the deal is. A better mechanic said try the solenoid so for $22 it’s worth a try.

 

[Chris-380]

I had an issue with the wires getting damaged in the quick silver throttle. It was an assembly that included the 3 buttons (trim up, trim down and trailer) with about 5’ of wire and a plug….

Had all that done two seasons ago but still didn’t work, but that was the same mechanic that screwed up some other stuff so who knows what the deal is. A better mechanic said try the solenoid so for $22 it’s worth a try.

 

[Cheap Guy]

I had an issue with the wires getting damaged in the quick silver throttle. It was an assembly that included the 3 buttons (trim up, trim down and trailer) with about 5’ of wire and a plug….

If this doesn’t work I’ll try this too. The cover on the throttle switch was damaged a few years ago so it’s worth a look.

 

[Chris-380]

If this doesn’t work I’ll try this too. The cover on the throttle switch was damaged a few years ago so it’s worth a look.

On my boat, there was a plug in the gunwale a few feet to the aft of the helm. You could unplu it there and see what continuity there was as you push buttons. The other thing I was able to do to verify, was jumper the different set of wires going to the trim pump and make the drive go up/down/trailer that way. I can’t remember the colors, like purple/green/red and blue iirc

here is a link to a similar part I needed to replace it
https://nuwavemarine.com/uncategori...er-mercury-power-trim-switch-kit-87-18286t34/

 

[Nater Potater]

This might be of assistance:

 

[Cheap Guy]

Replaced the out/up solenoid and all is well! Not a very hard job, especially with the diagram and taking pictures to make sure you reconnect the wires. Just make sure you don't disconnect all of them - you can do that once you take BOTH solenoids out as a unit.

Still can't figure out how to take the dang light lens out though. It's making me want to just rip it out and replace it with a complete LED unit.

 

[Nater Potater]

Replaced the out/up solenoid and all is well! Not a very hard job, especially with the diagram and taking pictures to make sure you reconnect the wires. Just make sure you don't disconnect all of them - you can do that once you take BOTH solenoids out as a unit.

Still can't figure out how to take the dang light lens out though. It's making me want to just rip it out and replace it with a complete LED unit.

Thanks for the follow-up! See, I steered you wrong about the solenoid, so it's good to get that insight.

 

[Cheap Guy]

Thanks for the follow-up! See, I steered you wrong about the solenoid, so it's good to get that insight.

No, you were right that the wires are the usual issue. Someone in the marina was thinking he has the same issue and I’m positive his wires are shot. I just knew mine were good because they were replaced a couple of seasons ago.