Hydraulic Sun Deck

[Joey2000SAN]

Hello All,

I am a proud new owner of a 2000 SAN. I got a great deal and the boat only had 350 hours. Nothing really needs to be done to this boat except new gauges (which I read happens a lot to this year) and perfect pass (which is personal preference and so my wife can drive a decent pull).

However we took it out for the second time yesterday and had some issue with the hydraulic sun deck. It would work sometimes and not work others. It got stuck once while up and stuck once while down. I could hear clicking when I pushed the button but the cover would not move. Nothing seemed to fix it except a few cycles of turning the entire boat off (including the main) and restarting. What I am wondering is, is there a sensor that maybe I don't know about and I am blocking with a life vest or something silly? I am not new to boating, but new to being a boat owner. I searched this forum and it sounds like there are not really any issues with the hydraulics to often and is more often power getting to it, but it doesn't sound like that, because I can hear a clicking like something is happening.

Love this site and this group, and I'm excited (and proud) to be a part of it. Thanks for the help in advance!

[s_kelley2000]

There are two relays for the hydraulic lift. One controls lifting and the other controls the closing. The problem also could be with the switch under the throttle. Since it seems to be working some of the time it may be a loose connection somewhere. The relays are probably hanging loose down low near bell housing on the lift side. I would check all those connections as well as the ones at the switch. The original relays were made by Hella but they no longer seem to be available. I had trouble finding the correct replacement part so your best bet might be to take one to a knowledgeable auto parts store and have them look it up for you. Mine got stuck up this summer and it ended up being a loose connection on one of the relays.

[Joey2000SAN]

Thanks. I will take a look this weekend when I take it out and see if I can also snag some pics. Is it something I will be able to see, or will it be something I will need a volt meter and just end up having to replace the whole relay?

[flipflop]

Yes, you can test with your meter. They are basically bosch style relays. Here is a link to a thread with some more information:


Link

The actuator is great when it works, but some have opted to convert to gas shocks. Hopefully your problem is just relay related. Good luck. Also, tapping on the actuator motor might bring it back down in a pinch.

[s_kelley2000]

Thanks for posting that link Flip, I had meant to go find that one then forgot. Joey let me know if I can clear anything up after you read through that link. Mine continued to work fine all summer after that last post.

You can determine which relay is the problem one by listening for the click. It helps to have somebody hit the switch while you get in close to listen. I ended up pulling out the backseat rest and dividers between the seat and motor the seat back to make access easier.

[Joey2000SAN]

The only issue is, it doesn't look like anyone confirmed which relay worked. Sounds like the Napa one was correct and the AutoZone was not, but I wasn't positive.

[Joey2000SAN]

Hey sorry to not come back with an update but it just fixed itself... until today. I had it just stop working on me again today off and on. When I got it home I started messing with the relays which I had bought but shelved since it was working. I took two relays out near the front of the engine where all the wiring intersects but without either relay in the hatch still worked. I am assuming this means these are not the relays controlling the hatch. Where are they? I can't find relays anywhere else.

[crobi2]

You might have pulled the fuel pump relays by accident. The ones for the hatch might be almost hanging down into the bilge closer to the hydraulic lift itself.