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I have a 2006 vista348. I need to (?) get in behind the dash as the marine lecky needs to get to the ignition switches. I have taken out the sounder but from there I am at a loss as to how to get access to the switches and back of the radio. Is there instructions for dismantling. I am nowhere near a four winns dealer (1000 miles away). What comes of first in gaining access to all the electronics and switches?
This is a result of an engine stopping mid passage with absolutely no power from the key. Fortunately after a process of elimination etc I had a volvo mechanic on board who was able to hot wire the motor and away we went. However seems the issue is behind the dash or does anyone know of any fuse/ harness that could have come adrift on the ignition loom. It stopped after a bit of a good jolt. It is not a battery issue just in case one asks....all new.
I feel sure there is a way to do it.
Any help appreciated
Turtle

I don't know what you mean by 'sounder'.

Take off the chartplotter. Then you can reach down inside the whole back of the helm through that opening. First you pop off the faceplate. There are several small niches around it. I like to use an upholster's tack remover to pop them loose (it looks like a bent screwdriver with a fork in it). Otherwise use a broad but thin screwdriver and something behind it to protect the dashboard material. Once the faceplate is off, remove the four screws at the corner. The whole plotter will then tilt toward you. There's enough slack to do it. All the connectors on the back of it are easily unscrewed (either with threads or just a half-turn). And they're all unique so you don't have to worry about which plug goes where.

It's a real stretch reaching down to the radio and ignition switches.

There is at least one loom connector behind the dash. It's possible one got loose. Check the schematic in the owner's manual to get a better idea.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

Ta I meant chartplotter. I can get that out OK but from there is there a way of popping the panel of rocker switches on either side of the steering wheel? with those out I might be able to access the rest of it OK. I mean hows does it go in. looks like the rocker switch panels could be "popped" but not sure how much force as i dont want to break it. I can stick my hand down all "feel" the back of all these switches etc but you cant "see" it

I seem to recall the panel was attached from the back. It might have been using 'studs' from the panel back into the helm, and then with nuts on those studs. But I've never had to remove all that, so I'm not entirely certain. But that's a common way to hold panels like that into place. They put a bolt through the wood part of the panel, glue them into place, and then glue a veneer sheet on the front of it. Then the panel is held into place by putting the stud end of the bolts into the frame and putting nuts on the back to hold it there. This avoids using screws from the back which might get pushed in too far and come through the veneer face.

The whole helm section is a separate fiberglass panel and could, conceivably, be removed. But it'd be a BIG job and probably overkill for this task.

The wiring from the helm all snakes down into the starboard gunwale. There's a hole in the right side behind the helm. There's also another access hatch behind the armrest cubby at the helm seat. Take the screws out of the bottom of the box and the whole thing will lift up. You'll then see the hole. There's yet another hole behind the cockpit seating. You remove that by feeling deep into the seam on the seatback to find some philips-head screws. Remove them and then the seatback will slide up and off some clips.

The combination of these three holes allows easier access to wiring runs down from the helm to the engine room.

Since you mention loss of power due to rough conditions I'm guessing a connector came loose. I think there's a multi-conductor plug for most of the helm right in there behind it. Find it, disconnect and then reconnect it. Some 348's also have a breaker sub-panel the helm seat (mine doesn't). That would be another place to check for connections, if your boat has it.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

Well I've had a win. After managing to remove the bank of rocker switches on the left of the steering wheel it was clearly visible that the spade connector had come of a fuse(?) directly above the ignition key. This in turn cut all power to the key and in turn the motor. Reconnect and all good. Now why did it come off is the million dollar question but as its adjacent to the steering internal workings and was very awkward to get back on perhaps it was never quite on properly in the first place. We shall see.
By the way, to remove that bank of rocker switches, it is held on by two 10mm nuts on two fixed bolts. Undo them and out it comes. You will need to remove the plotter of course and snake your hand in behind. Was quite relieved it was simple fix (as most electical issues are there just hard to **&@#ing find).
Cheers

It helps to snug up the spade connector a bit. Just crimp it a bit to have it make a tighter fit. It's also important that the wires do not dangle or sag anywhere. The motion of the boat will eventually cause the wires to wiggle enough to be problems. Zip ties are your friend.

As for tight fit, try figuring out how to pickup tools you drop behind the helm. I had a devil of a time getting down there to retrieve one I dropped...

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista