[difran25]

have a 96 talari 215-- not the z- just regular. just bought it and still trying to figure out what everything does. there are two 3 position switches on the left side of the steering wheel. the one on the right is the blower. the one on the left i still havent found out what it is. hear nothing. no lights come one. no nothing yet . any one help with that?

second. there are 5 "dome" lights in the cuddy. they wernt working. so i took them apart. the push button switches i believe are not working real well. if i hit them hard they will come on. but the switch wont work all the time. i gave the bulbs direct volts and they go on so i know its something to do with thos old switches. any ideas on what to do now? i cant find the pushbuttons that will fit right in the dome lights? idk let me know.. thanks

[WetWilly]

Hi difran25,

The switch should be for your nav lights. center is off and one way for the bow, dash and stern lights and the other way for just the stern light. Since you're not getting any lights, check the fuse, circuit breaker and wire connectors.

For the dome lights, it sounds like you have a little problem with corrosion. Visit your local RadioShack (there are three in Rockchester, click here for the addresses) and get their "Tuner Cleaner", catalog #: 64-4315. I've used it many time for various projects including our old SeaRay and it works very well. Cleans and leaves a lube to help prevent future corrosion, just be careful of the nozzle, it can be a little difficult to control so wear eye protection when you use it!

If you can, remove the switch from the fixture and spray the cleaner very liberally between the button and the switch body and any other possible openings to the inside and don't worry, it won't hurt the plastic. Work the switch a bunch of times then shake the switch to expel the excess cleaner. Repeat this several times to clean it out, dry and reconnect the switch and see if it works better.

If all this didn't fix it, then it's due for replacement... See if RadioShack has something that will work or try Action-Electronics.com (click here). They're based out of California, but they carry a large selection of pushbutton switches.

Another alternative is to change out the pushbutton with a toggle or rotary switch.

Good luck,
WetWilly