Helm Gauges ~ No back lighting

[TheWolfTC]

I am stumped chasing down the back lighting issue for my helm gauges. They worked last summer for the previous owner, but now they don't come on. (None of them!) If it was 1 or 2, I would blame the gauges, but since they have all gone down, I am thinking it's something else.

I thought it might be the dimmer module, but I tested that last night and it is fine and works on the switch panel back lighting without any issues.
Q. Is there a module that the NAV light switch connects to and supplies power to all the gauge lights??
These are the gauges.

 

[ZZ13]

My 2001 has two wires crimped to the voltage wire out of the dimmer. One wire goes to the switch panel and the other wire goes to the gauges where they are daisy chained. Sounds like a wire broke. You will have to get under the helm and trace the wire coming out of the dimmer module.

 

[TheWolfTC]

My 2001 has two wires crimped to the voltage wire out of the dimmer. One wire goes to the switch panel and the other wire goes to the gauges where they are daisy chained. Sounds like a wire broke. You will have to get under the helm and trace the wire coming out of the dimmer module.

Found it! Although it wasn't the gray dimmer wire, I could only trace that so far. And the wires behind the gauges that gave power to the lights was the green wire. The little 24 V module behind the switch panel had teh green wire dangling next to it (??? WHY ???).

Once I plugged it in to pin E they lit up. That being said, not all of them, only the Tachometer's. So, I have a little more research to do. The gauge is sealed so there isn't access to the actual bulb...unless someone knows a trick???

 

[ZZ13]

Found it! Although it wasn't the gray dimmer wire, I could only trace that so far. And the wires behind the gauges that gave power to the lights was the green wire. The little 24 V module behind the switch panel had teh green wire dangling next to it (??? WHY ???).

Once I plugged it in to pin E they lit up. That being said, not all of them, only the Tachometer's. So, I have a little more research to do. The gauge is sealed so there isn't access to the actual bulb...unless someone knows a trick???
View attachment 155505View attachment 155506View attachment 155507

Is that your EL transformer? The backlighting on your switch panel is an EL wire that runs on alternating current. It needs a transformer to convert the DC out of your dimmer to the alternating current needed for the EL backlighting. At least my boat is that way.

Can’t help with your gauges. Mine have a removable bulb.

 

[TheWolfTC]

I have no idea to be honest...I don't know what an EL transformer actually is. LOL

My backlighting is a 24VDC LED strip light that I installed when I removed the burnt out factory one last winter. I just cut the 2 wires on the old and attached the 2 new wires for the strip. I didn't see any AC voltage at that location.

 

[ZZ13]

I have no idea to be honest...I don't know what an EL transformer actually is. LOL

My backlighting is a 24VDC LED strip light that I installed when I removed the burnt out factory one last winter. I just cut the 2 wires on the old and attached the 2 new wires for the strip. I didn't see any AC voltage at that location.

Got it. EL is electroluminescence. It’s a wire that glows. Sounds like your boat never had that. Maybe you’ll find the wires going to the other gauges hanging somewhere. Good luck.