1996 Super Sport sunpad issue...

Sunpad won't raise. Not sure if the actuator is toast but it makes the hard stop clicking noise when I toggle down. Nothing on the toggle up. I can hear the relay clicking in the engine bay so pretty sure it's getting juice. Any thoughts? If anything else, what gas strut are people using in place of the electric one? I'm guessing this is a pretty common deal and most probably ditch the electric once they die.

Gary S wrote: Have you checked for voltage at the lift motor plug? Thats where I'd start. If I had voltage there I'd make sure the plug was good. If no go then I'd see about changing the motor rather than either replacing the whole thing or jury rigging gas struts but thats just me.

Yeah, the boat is at the service center for that and a separate issue and I wasn't sure how easy those were to get. I couldn't get a look at it being stuck closed and I couldn't get the pin out so I figured I'd let the marina do it for me. Anyone have the motor number just in case? I could order one and tell them I can put it in. Pretty sure the voltage is good considering I can hear the relay clicking when I push the "up toggle" and down is working since I'm getting the "loud clicks" since it is all the way closed.

s_kelley2000 wrote: Find the relays (probably zip tied on the starboard side down low by the transmission) and check that all the connections are pushed in all the way and tight. Also check the quick disconnect near the motor itself. You may need disconnect and clean up each connection, just make sure you put everything back the same way it came off. If it is stuck shut you can pull up the back seat rest and the dividers and gain access that way. I thought my relay and or actuator motor was fried a couple times but cleaning up but each time I found a loose connection and that fixed it. Oh also make sure the leads are connected tightly to the battery terminal and are clean.

Roger that. The boat is at the service center now since I don't really have time to look at it but if they can't figure it out I will for sure check these connections. My thing is, it makes the loud clicking (when you have it all the way down) when I down toggle so I know it's getting juice. Also, when I up toggle (to raise) I hear the relay clicking in the engine bay. I'll check and clean all that stuff when I pick it up Friday if they haven't figured it out by then.

Thanks for the reply. My first boat so I'm really the newest of newbies here.

gobluemike2142 wrote: My thing is, it makes the loud clicking (when you have it all the way down) when I down toggle so I know it's getting juice. Also, when I up toggle (to raise) I hear the relay clicking in the engine bay. .

Mike,
Just because you hear the relay clicking, doesn't mean you are getting power to the linear actuator motor. The contacts in the relay may be fried or as Shawn has mentioned there's a bad connection someplace. I shutter to think about the $$$ a marina will charge plus install parts that may not be needed? If you do decide to fix it yourself, get the VOM (volt Ohm meter) out and test before buying anything.

Mike, I feel your pain. When I bought my SS, I dropped it off at the local Nautique dealer thinking they'd be straightforward in fixing things like a trailer light, steering cable, fuel filter and a nice detail (which they outsource anyways).

They did not do anything quite right. Steering was not centered, so I could not turn right. The fuel filter canister was not refilled and had a serious issue with getting primed. The detail was nice. Brought it back for second chance and asked them to change props for my trouble. Got rhe steering centered but the prop wasn't lapped in and kept coming loose.

It's better to struggle and learn than pay for questionable work anyways.

If you can get the boat back without too much $$$. Fix it yourself and teach your kids how to help--get them involved and let us help you from this site. You'll not only save money and learn a lot about fixing the SS, you'll also have some smart kids who will carry on the tradition.