HALF CONTROL

Dear Mick, I have a 1999 Sea Ray 340 Sundancer. The windlass works well at the foot switches but does not work at the helm switch. I have checked the continuity, and there is power at that point. When I flipped the switch, it blew a fuse, but now I cannot locate the 3-amp fuse. Can you help?

Jim Hart

Cedarville, Michigan When troubleshooting a switch, you need to check for continuity in all positions. So, your helm switch has power coming in and connected to one terminal of the switch. There are two other terminals on the switch (Up and Down). Press Up and look for juice on the lead coming off that terminal and going out to the solenoid; do the same for the Down position/Down lead. Our Electronics Editor Jim Hendricks suggests focusing on the contactor — the solenoid/junction box that allows you to use both helm and foot controls. It is usually up in the bow close to the windlass. You should also find the fuse close to the contactor in this location. It might be a corroded terminal for one of the wires leading from the switch at the helm to the contactor, which would increase resistance and lead to a blown fuse.