Dash Gauge Lights Out
 

Hi Everyone:

1999 - Z280

None of my gauge lights illuminate when I flip my nav lights on for the evening. I tried looking behind the dash for a fuse box or breaker but cannot locate one. My depth gauge illuminates but that may be b/c it is wired into one of the toggle switches. Turning the dimmer switch both ways doesn't help either.

Any suggestions will be most appreicated.

Thanks,

Roger

Roger-

Same problem I am having I am going to work on it this weekend and will let you know what I find out....

Brent

Sounds like the dimmer module might be malfunctioning. I can't imagine you'd lose all the lights at once. The illumination circuit is one connection that is just wired in series with all the gauges. It's the blue wire. I'd try and track it down to find the dimmer module. Or maybe check the dimmer switch and make sure the contacts are in good shape. It just seems very unusual that the entire dash illumination would go bad at once, but it is possible.

Let us know what you can find out, and we'll try and help!

Thanks Brent and Chris:

I saw in a previous post that somehow holding down the dimmer switch apparently turns them on but I never had to do that before. My dimmer switch is actually a rotating knob (right to left). I hate these type of problems :-)

Roger

No fuses?

I saw that you looked for a fuse panel but werent able to find one. I was recently under my dash and found that I have TWO mini fuse panels neither of which I knew about prior.

Maybe one is hidden? Dimmer knob? Thats fancy. I don't think I have that on my boat.

Oddly enough, the wiring diagram shows:

Fuse Panel (Red + Gnd-10)
FusePnlDrops (Multi)

To access under the dash I have to remove panels from the bathroom area (tight fit) but I swear I couldn't locate anything that looks like a fuse panel.

Roger

Roger,
In the aft cabin of my Z260 there is a small hatch directly beneath the dash. Inside is a DC fuse panel. I do not recall if the dimmer circuit is in this panel, it may be. If I get a chance I will look tonight.
steve

Thanks Steve - Someone brought to my attention that the dimmer switch may be the culprit; that I need to get a voltmeter and test for power coming to the switch and power going out of the switch. I may just take out the switch and splice the wires together and have nice bright lights all the time.

Roger

Roger,

On my 252 the storage on the stbd side of the boat directly in front of the helm has a removable section. Upon removing that you gain access to the sterring cables, wiring for the gauges radio etc. I looked in there and saw the two small 4"x6" fuse panels with mini fuses.

Maybe you have a removable panel similar to that to check behind?

Good luck.

Roger-

You could also splice them into your 'courtesy lights' switch or your 'transom lights switch.'

I am going to give that a try on mine....

Brent

Why not just replace the dimmer switch itself? I'm sure it's just a simple rheostat that could be found online for probably less than $10? Splicing around wires between different spots might cause future electrical issues, and could wind up shorting out the entire electrical system...

Yes, this is probably best. At least I will be able to eliminate that possibility. I did find a breaker panel far below the steering wheel though. None of the little white buttons were popped out so I assume this isn't the cause of a tripped breaker.

Thanks for the assist Chris!

Roger

Dash lights
 

Did you find the problem? I'm working on the electrical system today on my '99Mariah, Jubilee and found all fuse contacts in the fuse block corroded and tarnishes from weather. I took fuse block apart and cleaned all contacts. Some contacts where spread apart not making good connection with fuses. Everything working now on my boat. Previous owner never fixed things not working! Or couldn't figure out the problems.

Not yet. I still have to use a voltmeter on the in and out wires to the dimmer switch to see if that is the cause first. I finally found the fuse box which is actually a breaker panel just below the steering wheel; multiple little white buttons but all were in the in position. Maybe there's corrosion behind the breaker panel itself.

I finally located the problem. Bad dimmer switch module (cracked in just the right places). And nobody seems to have a replacement, even Great Lakes Skipper so, since I like nice bright dash lights anyhow, I'm tieing the wires to and from the switch together. Checking with electronics specialists, this will not cause a problem with the electrical system. That was one part that Mariah never should have installed in the first place.

Thanks for all your posts on this subject.

I'm a new owner and recently had an oportunity to go out at night...guesswhat...I've got the same problem only my depth guage has a light...all other out. All my crtsy lights function (quite nicely I might add...)...I'll have a look at all above suggestions and post back...Thanks to all.

Hi Jerry:

Amazing isn't it? I still don't have a solution. I removed my dimmer switch, which was cracked and totally non-functional, and spliced the in and out wires together but still nothing. My depth gauge light is also the only that is on but I believe that is b/c it is directly associated with the depth gauge toggle switch next to the steering wheel so not part of the other gauge group.

I'm totally befuddled by this. Hopefully there is a separate lighting power wire that daisy chains all the gauges together to where I can test with a volt meter to see if they are all in fact getting power; not sure.

Let me know if you find anything out.

Roger

Very Strange indeed...
 

I'll have a look I'm sure we'll come up with a solution...can't wait to have a dash for evening boat rides...Wouldn't it be crazy if the Mariah did not have illumination for the gauges...now that would be real amazement...Incidentally...would you happen to know where I can get my hands on a copy of a shop manual for my boat?...1998 Shabah?...talk soon.

All of the manuals that were available for a Mariah are here at the club. Check out the "Original Mariah Manuals and Supplements" forum for a listing of what we have or our "Engine Maintenance & Repairs" section for engine manuals. Please note the Owners Manuals are effectively identical over the '94 - 2000 period.

I lit up the whole lake with my dash lights!!!!
 

Well Roger, like I said I'd get back to you on the dash light problem...I'll keep it short and sweet to save face (my face). My Mariah Z210 Shabah requires a wait time of 5 seconds before my ANC/NAV switch actually does anything.

If you roll it to the left (boat anchored) you get the stern light (after 5 seconds, pole extends and once fully extended the 360 white light turns on). When anchored the captain only needs stern light. Right? Right.

If one turns the switch to the right (after a very long 5 seconds) you'll get the "navigate" set of lights which includes the Stern and Bow and given you're in motion you'll need to have dash info so the smart electrical engineers also have the the instrument panel illuminated in this mode...but of course, for the captain will need his information whilst navigating the water...Incidently, the dimmer switch work too...

I'm guilty.

Regards.

Hi Jerry - I just now saw your reply so thank you for the post.

My switch does have three positions; left (stern light extends and lights along with both bow red/green lights on); middle (telelcopes down and off); right (stern light is in SOS mode where it flashes if you are in trouble). Nothing like yours it seems.

I still don't have a solution to this for crying out loud. I literally took out the defective dimmer switch and spliced both blue wires together and nothing.

Very strange - Roger