Port Nav Light - No light, yet power is there

[Two Peas]

My port navigation running light won't light. I've tested the bulb in the starboard light socket and it works fine (I bought two new bulbs just in case). With the running light switch in the "off position", I have 0 volts at both sockets. With the switch in the "on" position, I get about 12.2 volts in the starboard socket, and 11.9 volts in the port socket. If I put bulbs in both sockets and turn the switch to "on", the starboard light turns on and measures about 12.2 V, but the port socket measures 0V and the bulb won't light (even though I know the bulb works fine).

I've tried to bend the contacts a bit in the port socket to ensure a good connection, but to no avail.

Any thoughts on what might be the culprit?

Thanks,
Andrew

 

[fwebster]

Look for a bad ground connection in the port light. Most likely it is in the butt crimp connector right under the light.

 

[Two Peas]

Thanks, Frank. I found an access panel in a storage area that gives me access to those connectors. I'll check them next.

 

[fwebster]

Just remove the light from the deck..............when you get it loose, pull it up. There should be enough slack in the wires to get the connection above the deck. Its a lot easier to work in the open than trying to cut, splice and crimp in a hole under the storage area.

 

[Two Peas]

OK - I guess that means that all the silicone I found in there holding the wires taught can be pulled out - and then reapplied after it is fixed. I agree it will be easier working on the deck than in the stateroom with one hand through the access opening!

 

[Two Peas]

well Frank, you were right! The bad ground was in the actual connection to the wire terminal inside the Perko light itself. I recrimped the connections below and it still didn't work. I played with the crimp connection in the light itself and voila! We're functional again!

Thanks for your help.

Andrew

 

[Two Peas]

One last bit of info: on this boat, the Perko light was connected to the main wiring under the deck with male/female blade style connectors, which prevented pulling the wiring right through the deck, which made it a real pain to check the connection through the tiny access door from within the stateroom shelving.