Switch Indicator Light - 242

[Driller]

Guys,

I'm new to this forum and I appreciate any help I can get. I recently purchased a 2011 242 with the 8.1 Gi. Very happy with the boat, and it is in excellent shape except for the following.

There are very small indicator lights right below the switches. They are separate and penetrate the dash directly below each switch.

They all work great and can be seen clearly in bright sunlight with the exception of the bilge pump switch. It can't be seen in bright sunlight, but at night it has a faint glow when the switch is on.

Any idea how to trouble shoot this problem? I'm thinking it might be a loose connection, but can't seem to figure out how to get to the wiring.

You can see the indicator lights directly below the switches is the sunlight on the left side of the dash.

Cobalt Dash.jpg

[Big Block Power]

They look like leds to me but hard to tell. I'm used to older models of boats. Are there any screws on the front of the dash? The dash week come towards to get at everything. Or can you see anything from underneath? I would try swapping the lights with another one. I'm sure it just needs a new led. Or it's a bad connection. I have to look at mine again to see how it came apart. It's close to yours though. Sorry I can't find my pictures right now. But I'm sure there prob is about 10 3/8 nuts from the back side holding your guage in. And the part where the switches in are prob the same. You have to get to the back side of the dash to get at them. Congrats on the boat and welcome to the forum.

[Bfun220]

You should be able to take the wires off good indicator light. Move them to the dim indicator. Then turn good switch on. If it's still dim replace LED/bulb. If it's bright, check those wires/connectios.

[Driller]

Thanks for the input. Unfortunately I won't be able to investigate further until weekend after next.

I'll keep you posted.

[Big Block Power]

Oh yea. Thanks B we have a electrician on board.lol

[Driller]

Fixed the switch indicator light today. Turned out it was no problem. My Cobalt dealer had them in stock (bought 2 - just in case). Went in thru the Starboard bow storage. 4 screws and the top panel was removed allowing access to the back of the dash. Pushed the old one up and out and cut the wires. Pushed the new one in and added the connectors. Hooked them up and I was good to go.

Originally tried to work the problem from the underside of the dash. Not a lot of room and in the "arms over the head" position. I can fit in the bow storage area, so it was much easier.

Worth noting that according to the Dealer, the indicator light functions wether the Bilge Pump is activated by the float switch or manually. I didn't test the float switch, but it looking at the wiring the switch should be hot anytime the pump is energized.

[Driller]

I meant the indicator light should be hot anytime the pump is energized.

[Big Block Power]

That's good news. Thanks.Glad you got it.

[Driller]

Thanks for the support BB.

[Bfun220]

Yes, good to hear .

[Southernboatman]

Yes my bilge pump kicks on and my light comes on while running. Or I can turn it on but of course mo reason unless auto on doesn't work.

[Ytmsn]

This may be a dumb question, but one I've often wondered. Where in the heck does that water come from? I mean, if it hasn't rained, nothing is leaking, and we haven't dripped much after we climb in.. It doesn't happen very often, but when it does it always startles me when my bilge kicks in because I think we must be sinking. I'm sure we're tracking more water in than I realize, but I still look to see if some is squirting out a hose or gasket.

[Driller]

My ice chest drains into the bilge in addition to wet swimmers.

[liquid]

This may be a dumb question, but one I've often wondered. Where in the heck does that water come from? I mean, if it hasn't rained, nothing is leaking, and we haven't dripped much after we climb in.. It doesn't happen very often, but when it does it always startles me when my bilge kicks in because I think we must be sinking. I'm sure we're tracking more water in than I realize, but I still look to see if some is squirting out a hose or gasket.

Nothing automatic on my vessel, have to flip a switch - and walk 5 miles in the snow, both ways!