R7 electronic issue

[Dadof3girls]

So while driving the R7, got some rain on the dash. It seems to pull a little bit just below the buttons for bilge, blower etc. beeping sound came on. It is an electrical issue. Eventually lost power and wouldn’t go into gear. Anyone have this issue?

[Dadof3girls]

I will add that the gear shifter also had N lit up even when I was in gear. Also, when you turn the boat on, it makes the beep sound to indicate everything is powering up. Mine just started making all kinds of beeping noises. So clearly something electrical got wet and shorted out. Just frustrating that my boat couldn’t take a little water without having issues. I don’t think I will have much luck diagnosing this, so starting to think of way to cover the drivers area in case I am in the rain again.

[jhnmdahl]

My Cobalt isn't an R7, but it's certainly been out in the rain. It looks from photos I can find online like you have two rows of push buttons, one to each side of the wheel, and there was water puddling somewhere below them? Is the gear shifter "N" on the shift lever itself rather than the dash?

Assuming it's not something like a weak battery that's really causing your issues, I'd go behind the seat in front of the helm and remove the panel there to have access behind the dash and see what's going on, and if I could see water anywhere. Hard to diagnose without seeing the boat, but hopefully you see something that suggests what the issue might be.

[Dadof3girls]

My Cobalt isn't an R7, but it's certainly been out in the rain. It looks from photos I can find online like you have two rows of push buttons, one to each side of the wheel, and there was water puddling somewhere below them? Is the gear shifter "N" on the shift lever itself rather than the dash?

Assuming it's not something like a weak battery that's really causing your issues, I'd go behind the seat in front of the helm and remove the panel there to have access behind the dash and see what's going on, and if I could see water anywhere. Hard to diagnose without seeing the boat, but hopefully you see something that suggests what the issue might be.

Yes, 2 rows of buttons, one left and one right. One on left pulls a little water. Above that, just below my screens, there is a drain that runs behind and underneath. Neutral is on my gear shifter. This is the 2nd time something like this happened, and both times, I got rained on. I don’t think it is the batteries, but I won’t rule that out at this point. No issues at all when things are dry.

[Dadof3girls]

Next time I am on the boat I will look in that storage area you suggested and see if I see anything.

[jhnmdahl]

Next time I am on the boat I will look in that storage area you suggested and see if I see anything.

You really have to unscrew a carpeted vertical panel back there to be able to see all the wiring behind the dash. If you have a water (or some other) problem back there, it does seem like a good first step though.

[Dadof3girls]

Next time I am on the boat I will look in that storage area you suggested and see if I see anything.

You really have to unscrew a carpeted vertical panel back there to be able to see all the wiring behind the dash. If you have a water (or some other) problem back there, it does seem like a good first step though.

I have multiple amps on that wall, so that is going to be a pain in the ass. May wait until boating season nears the end before I go look and disconnect all that.

[Norris_Boating]

I leave the amps connected when I pull mine off. Don't worry about the amps.
I have never had an issue like that and I have definitely been in my share of rain. Again just last Sunday.
You can also look under the front panel if you just look up from where your feet are. Though it isn't as clear a view as removing the carpeted panel with the amps.
Probably a dump question, but you didn't accidently knock the kill switch off did you? Because when that gets knocked off it sounds like a similar situation. If that is not it, try it out when it is dry and working and see if that creates the same beeps and lights that your seeing. It might be something to do with that when it gets wet??