Nav Lights - Sidelights stopped working

[hinzee623]

Hi everyone!
Yesterday, I realized that both of my side lights do not work (I know for a fact they worked before, recently). My question/issue/conundrum is, the Nav Light switch on the helm, controls the sidelights, stern light, mast light [meaning, the ON/up position, those three lights are ON at the same time]. Everything else (except the side lights) work properly. When looking under the helm at all the wiring, the nav lights are powered by one large bundle wires with a housing plug (See attached for example). I guess that it can't be a circuit or fuse issue (assume they all share the same circuit and same fuse)(????)
Has anyone experience this before? Not sure how to start trouble shooting this. They lead to a large bundle that goes somewhere... They do not lead to the bridge buss bars.
It might be easier to run to new cables to, two new side lights. Figure I throw this situation out there before I get past the point of no return!

Appreciate the help!

[tomschauer]

Did you check for voltage at the lights? Often its just a bit of corrosion on the bulb contacts.

[Midnightsun]

The anchor light is meant to operate alone as if at anchor, the other position normally turn everything else on including the anchor light in most cases.

I have seen way too many times where nav lights are burnt out because people tend to forget them in the on position so yes they do burn out. Before doing any fancy testing, do a voltage test at the bulb contacts with the switch in the nav position. This will confirm a burnt out bulb or poor contact at the light itself.

[hinzee623]

Source of the post The anchor light is meant to operate alone as if at anchor, the other position normally turn everything else on including the anchor light in most cases.

I have seen way too many times where nav lights are burnt out because people tend to forget them in the on position so yes they do burn out. Before doing any fancy testing, do a voltage test at the bulb contacts with the switch in the nav position. This will confirm a burnt out bulb or poor contact at the light itself.

I meant to say fore light (not anchor) my bad.

[hinzee623]

Source of the post The anchor light is meant to operate alone as if at anchor, the other position normally turn everything else on including the anchor light in most cases.

I have seen way too many times where nav lights are burnt out because people tend to forget them in the on position so yes they do burn out. Before doing any fancy testing, do a voltage test at the bulb contacts with the switch in the nav position. This will confirm a burnt out bulb or poor contact at the light itself.

I have not yet, but I will!

[km1125]

The "fore" light is called the masthead light, even though it's actually located on the bridge surround. It, coupled with the stern light, should provide a 360 degree white light visible to others.

I'd check the bulbs first, as a likely culprit. However, the sidelights circuit does come from the bridge and does split after the switch to serve the masthead light and stern light separate from the sidelights. See connector "8" below, which comes from the connectors "12". The nice thing is that all those connectors and cables are labelled nicely from the factory which makes troubleshooting easier.

3607_nav_lights_circuit.jpg

[hinzee623]

Source of the post The "fore" light is called the masthead light, even though it's actually located on the bridge surround. It, coupled with the stern light, should provide a 360 degree white light visible to others.

I'd check the bulbs first, as a likely culprit. However, the sidelights circuit does come from the bridge and does split after the switch to serve the masthead light and stern light separate from the sidelights. See connector "8" below, which comes from the connectors "12". The nice thing is that all those connectors and cables are labelled nicely from the factory which makes troubleshooting easier.

3607_nav_lights_circuit.jpg

Thank you for the clarification and the schematic!
I am hoping its the bulbs. I've owned the boat for a few weeks now. During the survey Apr 30, the lights worked. I might have turned them on once, familiarizing myself with the controls. Then when I took it out on the maiden voyage Tuesday, that is when I noticed both side lights were out. To me, seems strange that both would happen to burn out at the same exact time, especially for not being used often. The previous owner, do think used them too often either (with ~20 engine hours in 2.5yrs).

Once again, thank you everyone for the tips. I am definitely for the easier/cheapest options first!

[buster53]

While you are opening up your light housings to confirm power, look at the type bulbs you have and find the LED equivalent and replace them. Will never burn out again and only using about 10% of the power needed to turn on incandescent.

[hinzee623]

Source of the post While you are opening up your light housings to confirm power, look at the type bulbs you have and find the LED equivalent and replace them. Will never burn out again and only using about 10% of the power needed to turn on incandescent.

Great point! Upgrading to LED (on all my bulbs, was on my to do list, just didn't think I move up to the top of the list so soon!)

[bud37]

Source of the post just didn't think I move up to the top of the list so soon!)

Hmmm, boats.......the top of the list is always just a moment away.......