Captains Call Exhaust Issue
 

Have an 04 Sunsation 288 with 496 Mag, and Captains Call Exhaust. It seems to be stuck in the quiet position (Switch Off). When I turn switch on, the light indicator on the switch illuminates, but nothing happens. Anyone have any idea how to troubleshoot the system? Is there a circuit breaker? Everything appears to be connected and tight. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Look for a circuit breaker in the engine compartment that looks like the main breaker. I had the same problem with my Baja but thought the breaker was the main until I found the actual main breaker. If that makes any sense. Randy

Any idea where to look? Engine is 496 Mag. Thanks for the reply.

Look next to the risers of your exhaust. That is the general location they place them. Big red circuit breaker button

Found the button, tried it, and nothing. Still in the quiet position, and when switch is engaged (Light on when engaged), nothing happens. Any other ideas? Appreciate yours, and anyone else's, help. Can't be that complicated...

On mine it's a solenoid that closes a butterfly to divert the flow below the water line. So take your multimeter and verify you have the correct voltage at the solenoids, 12V if I were guessing but they should be labeled. If there's voltage then the solenoid is toast, if there's not then you have a wiring issue because you know you have voltage at the dash.

Also, check to see if they're hot. Over-loaded solenoids (like if they were stuck) like to get really hot. However, it'd be unlikely that both would be stuck (or fail) at the same time.

I'm betting on a loose wire.

I agree on a loose wire. Triple check your connections within the harness and the ground. I had issues there on a boat once. Wire pulled loose from connector and worked part time

Ok, had a minute to stop by boat this evening. Turned on ignition, turned switch to through hull position (Light illuminates and nothing happens), then manually pulled rockers to through hull position, and they stayed. Does this indicate anything? There is a wire that appears to go to the breaker/system, connected to the positive terminal on the battery, and it is fastened securely. Not sure to where to look for the ground?? Should there be a fixed plug going into the harness on both sides of the engine (One for each rocker), or is there one for both? Haven't found either but was looking in the dark. Again, thanks for everyones advice, and while I am not an expert, I can follow directions and willing to get dirty trying. Thanks!

Batteries are probably weak. I had the same problem. Have the batteries load tested. They may need to be replaced.

Sounds like the solenoid has to much resistance in it and its not pulling it open

Agreed. But this shouldn't be an issue if the engine(s) are running.

I've had mine NOT stay open with the engine running on dead batteries, FYI

Good luck

OK, beautiful day on the water, but still having issue. I was able to turn switch to thru hull, then manually put into thru hull position. I then put in two brand new batteries, and nothing changed, still had to manually put into thru hull position. Now the Port side stays locked in the Thru hull position when the switch is turned off. Everything appears to be securely connected/ no loose wires.

You need to use a multimeter to see if power is getting to the solenoids.

Are you running in salt or brackish water? Reason I ask is that this may contribute to corrosion of the diverter components in the exhaust. I would disconnect the solenoid from the lever and see if the butterfly moves freely on the pivot rod. If not, you may have to pull the diverters and disassemble the butterflies, and clean and lubricate everything.

Mine got stuck last year, Move the rubber boot out of the way, get a little high temp grease and put a tiny bit on your finger and put it on the slide that goes in and out of the solenoid, open and close them a few times by hand to grease the inside of the solenoid a little bit, put a tiny bit more on your fingers and lube that slide again. Make sure that rubber boot covers the area it is supposed to. Then try your button and see if it works, you may have some corrosion in there that is creating enough resistance to keep them from working.

Did you ever find a solution for this? I am having the save issue.
 

I realize this is very old post, but did you ever find a solution for this? I am having the save issue after installing new solenoids. Worked great for a minute, then went dead. Holds open if I push them open manually…

did you use the new springs or original?

I figured it out - all I had to do was hit the red reset button near the back of the engine. Not sure why that happened, though. Seems to work great now. Will have to water test to be sure…

Having not seen any pictures of the system or the schematic just be aware that some solenoids have a pull and a hold coil inside of them. I have switchable tips. One pos to pull and another hold. Apples to bananas but sometimes due to low voltage or a mechanical drag they won't pull without "help" but will hold if helped in correct direction.