Dead dash button panel

[Payton1]

Hey folks,
today was my first day on the lake here in NC. Things were fine for about 2 hrs and then the dash button panel went dead. Ballast buttons were unresponsive, bilge, etc - even the engine stop button. I went back to the dock because I was afraid if I cut the engine power manually it would not restart. Sure enough, when I got to the dock and killed the powerwith the switch by my knee the engine stopped, but the panel was still dead and the start button would not work. I pulled the boat out with full ballast. That’s another question - how do you drain ballast with no pump control. But - my main question is has anyone had a dead button panel like this? I tried one last thing and shut the main battery switch off and waited five minute, and turned it back on, and the panel worked again and I was able to turn the ballast on and drain the pumps, and also turn the engine over. So - there was some glitch where the buttons died that reset when I cycled the power. Anyone have any ideas? I’m fearing a difficult electrical gremlin.

This is on my ‘08 220

thanks!

[James]

I assume you are talking about your “keypad”. Usually when the keypad starts to fail the presenting symptom is the failure of one or a few buttons not functioning. Since you’re apparently had sudden complete failure my first thought would be poor electrical contact at the keypad electrical connector behind the dash. Cleaning the pins by plugging and unplugging the connector multiple times can help clean up the pins and improve the connection. Checking for 12+ volts at the red wire (if I am not mistaken there are four wires at your connector red for power, black for ground and the a green and orange wire which I believe send data to the PDM. However, since your keypad came back to life after a brief power down period I would be hoping it was just a temporary electrical “glitch” and you dodge a bullet or you are a developing problem with your PDM. Another thought is supposedly the keypad is very sensitive to low voltage. Do you have dual batteries and if so were you using the same battery at time of the keypad failure and and then again when you were able to drain your ballast after pulling your boat out? The next time you are out on your boat I would be watching your voltage gauge for reduced voltage indicating a possible recharging (alternator) problem or battery issue resulting in low voltage.

[Payton1]

Thanks James - yes, it is the keypad I am referring to. I have just learned that is what it is referred to it my internet scouring. Interesting that your last thought was regarding battery voltage, I chatted with my local mechanic this AM, he also noted my batteries are more than 5 years old and may have weak cells and might be a source of this issue. Although, I was able to drain the ballast from battery power only after it came back to life, but pump motors are less picky about voltage than the other electronics. I'm going to replace the batteries, since it is due anyway, and hope that it is not the power module. Will check the connections also.

Anyone else have other ideas/experience/suggestions? Thanks!