Gauge lights troubleshooting

[superbee71]

I have a 1998 Sea Ray 290 Sundancer, and the gauge lights are intermittent. When they do light up, only half seem to work. Any suggestions as to where I should start looking for the problem?

I also have a problem with the spot light. It will rotate side to side, but will not pivot up and down. It seems to be getting power (you can hear the motor engage), but won't move.

Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

 

[kg4vgh]

Sbee.....if your boat has a dimmer on the dash lights, might check there first....thats where my problem was...ended up bypassing the dimmer....can't help with the spotlight though....
Say Hi to the Charrons on Don drive for me....lived out your way for many a year....
Pete

 

[fc3]

All the gauge lights are powered from a common supply. Don't know which half are working and which half are not, so here are some generalities.

Helm panel lighting is activated with the running lights. The circuit goes from the running light switch to a dimmer, which is nothing more than a simple rheostat. If you have electroluminescent backlighting for the panel legends, the output of the dimmer to a power supply that steps up the voltage to about 120 vdc to operate the EL panels glued to the back of the switch and gauge panels. Another lead from the dimmer feeds, in parallel, all of the gauges and the compass light. Generally, according to ABYC specs, this wiring is color coded blue. It's a very simple circuit that you should have no trouble tracing with a voltmeter. If the dimmer is bad, you can order a generic replacement on-line or at West Marine. It's a common part.

Do you really have a 71 Dodge Super Bee? Love that car!

Best regards,
Frank

 

[mwph]

Dont know how much troubleshooting you've done so far but in both cases your problem could be as simple as dirty contacts. I had to replace one of my bulbs a month ago. It was sporatic then when out all together. While I had the pannel out others began "flickering" as wires were moved around. Cleaned them all up, no problems since.

As for the spotlight, I had up & down but no L/R movement. Contact cleaner was an easy fix.

 

[shdw134]

Just had this problem on my 97 250da. With the exception it was only every other gauge. Pulled the gauge panel then the little bulb holder on each gauge and bent the little tangs on the holder and reinstaled. walla fixed. They weren't makingt good contact and by bending them just a smidge it made them have good contact again.