Intermittent loss of voltage at both ignition key switches on 480DB w/ CAT 3196s EMS

[steve4566]

I recently experienced a baffling problem that resolved itself. Neither engine would start and neither helm EMS instruments would power up. Both batteries were good but I had no voltage at either of the ignition key switches at the main breaker panel. After an hour of troubleshooting the problem resolved itself with no action on my part.

I have traced out the wiring diagrams. There is nothing in between the ignition breakers (which had voltage) and the ignition key switches except wiring harnesses and two harness plugs. I´m thinking one of the plugs might be loose. My next step is to find the plugs.

Has anyone else experienced a problem like this?

PS - interestingly, the salon breaker panel DC volt meter reads the starboard battery voltage from the starboard ignition key switch line input so it read zero while the problem was occurring. The DC volt meter reads the port battery voltage from the DC ammeter which gets its voltage from a completely different circuit so the port DC volt meter always indicated normal. This had me even more confused about what the problem might be until I figured it out.

 

[mquiet]

The port battery is also running most of your interior as well. I had a battery charger that was starting to go and it did some crazy stuff. My ignition would work one day and not another. It was really that the battery was too low to provide power. New batteries and charging system and I have been good for over a year now.


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[fwebster]

Re: Intermittent loss of voltage at both ignition key switches on 480DB w/ CAT 3196s

The wiring harness plugs you have found are assembled by Sea Ray. Sometimes the metal pins in the male side opf the plug will recede from the end of the plug enough that contact with the mating part isn't possible. The backed-off pin is easy to visually spot when you separate the male and female plug parts. Therefore, my suggestion is to identify each segment of the wiring from the bilge to t he panel and examine each plug for a receded pin.

 

[steve4566]

Re: Intermittent loss of voltage at both ignition key switches on 480DB w/ CAT 3196s

Thanks. I will do so.

 

[steve4566]

Re: Intermittent loss of voltage at both ignition key switches on 480DB w/ CAT 3196s

Thanks.

 

[steve4566]

Re: Intermittent loss of voltage at both ignition key switches on 480DB w/ CAT 3196s

The wiring harness plugs you have found are assembled by Sea Ray. Sometimes the metal pins in the male side opf the plug will recede from the end of the plug enough that contact with the mating part isn't possible. The backed-off pin is easy to visually spot when you separate the male and female plug parts. Therefore, my suggestion is to identify each segment of the wiring from the bilge to t he panel and examine each plug for a receded pin.

Thanks. I found the offending plug. it was plug 38. cleaned the contacts and reset it. That fixed the port side. tapped on the stbd ignition breaker to fix the stbd side. Will have to replace the stbd ignition breaker. Two intermittent problems at once. Doesn't get much harder to troubleshoot than that!

 

[mquiet]

Frank is the man with that call. Glad it is working again.


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