Nav light switch wriring diagram

MHorn0817

Active Member
May 16, 2021
205
Bowie, MD
Boat Info
1998 215 Express Cruiser
2011 260 Sundancer
Engines
5.7 Mercruiser Thunderbolt w/Alpha I
350 Mag MPI w/Bravo lll
My light switch started acting up, tun it on and it would start tripping until it eventually stopped working and doing anything. So no running light, anchor light, dash lights. I bought a new contura 3 switch, on off on. Thought it was/is wired correctly but still nothing. It's obviously wired differently then the old switch but going by the new switch diagram and the "basic boat wire colors", I thought it would work. I was curious if anyone had a rocker switch wiring diagram for a 98 215 express cruiser so I could verify.

I checked the actual wiring and fuses and the are fine which is why I assumed it was the switch and replaced the switch but still nothing.
 
As long as you have the correct wires hooked the switch's correct posts, it should work... if nothing else is wrong. You can look in your manual for wiring diagrams to be sure you are reading the colors correctly - it's available on SR's website if you don't still have the original. If your boat isn't on the website, use any other boat's manual that uses regular switches.

But, you need to follow the new switch's wiring - the old one doesn't matter (although it could be the same).

You can jump +12V to each wire to see check the wiring/bulb.

However, since you're having the issue with all three systems, unless you wired it wrong, I'd start with the ground. Check/verify/clean/jump if need be.
 
These may shine some light for you.... You must use a DPDT switch.

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I had it wired correctly and how the diagram shows. I realized I did not switch over the little metal terminal jumper to put power on both sides. Put the little jumper on and worked. Thank you for all the help
 
You mentioned in your original post that when your nav lights were out, so was your console lights. The circuit breaker or fuse that provides power to the nav light switch should power that switch and that switch alone. If you are piggy-backing the power for your nav lights off of the console breaker, or visa-versa, that makes your nav lights less dependable because problems with other systems can shut down your Nav lights. The nav lights (red/green and anchor) should be a stand alone circuit.
 
I had it wired correctly and how the diagram shows. I realized I did not switch over the little metal terminal jumper to put power on both sides. Put the little jumper on and worked. Thank you for all the help
At least it was an easy/no cost fix!
 
I did not do any wiring to the boat, not saying someone else hadn't done any wiring over the years but I just made sure to plug the wires into the proper switch locations.

Yeah thankfully easy fix. Now I just have to figure out why first and last gauge have no light. Hopefully just a bulb.
 
Speaking of nav lights, anyone change the old style Atwood lights from bulbs to LED? Seems they have direct replacements. These old bulb style just dont seem very bright especially on a busy river lined with house lights on.
Thinking of doing for safety.
 
Speaking of nav lights, anyone change the old style Atwood lights from bulbs to LED? Seems they have direct replacements. These old bulb style just dont seem very bright especially on a busy river lined with house lights on.
Thinking of doing for safety.
You would need to change the entire housing - the old reflectors don't work right with the LED light wavelength. It'll make light - but apparently it's not visible to the number of miles required to meet USCG specs.

But, they're really not THAT much brighter, overall (from distance, anyways). With too much ambient like you're mentioning, spend your money elsewhere and just go slower at night.
 
You got it. Now, what you might be able to do is find a replacement lens that's not UV damaged... or maybe polish the existing one.

See if you can polish the interior reflector, too (although I've never attempted to do that so I don't even know if that's possible) - just a thought.
 
Which begs the question I always wonder. New cars got all these safety features. Can they PLEASE put a dam light on dash that tells people they got a fkn headlight out. Is it really that difficult.
 
I’m sure other boats can see, but from the cockpit i cant tell if the lights are on, have to go on bow to check before heading out. Safety first.
That's actually a good thing. Any light shining back at you messes with your night vision.

Cars, in 1991, were pretty dumb, too (well, most)... you had to go out and look to see if a light was out.

Most of the newer LED fixtures do have a very small indicator that can be seen without sticking your head over the bow.
 
I mean new cars, wife has a 2021. Backup camera. Lights beeps if you change lanes, cars on side, too close in front, automatic turn on lights, all that. Bulb out, nope. It was a rhetorical question. Just wondering how difficult would it be. Do the cops lobby against it to give a reason to pull you over?
 

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