Solving Power Wedge Issues

The Malibu Power Wedge is an ingenious device to build your wake, but also a source of heartburn for owners when it malfunctions. At Wakeswitches, customers often ask how to diagnose Power Wedge problems.

Normal Operation

If you're just learning about your 'new to you' Wakesetter, let's briefly go over how these systems work. The normal function isn't exactly intuitive. 

Power Wedge - when stationary, such as with the boat on a lift or trailer, the Power Wedge will normally travel down when pressing the down arrow on the MTC screen (or Wakeswitches Control Tablet). However, it will not travel upwards unless the boat is moving forward and the speedometer indicates at least 3 MPH. This is due to a safety lockout to ensure anyone near the stern doesn't get injured by the upward-moving wedge. 

Tip: If you forgot to raise the wedge before trailering your boat, you don't need to put it back in the water. The master fuse panels under the dash have bypass fuse positions for the circuits of most factory-installed devices, including the Power Wedge. Find the fuse labeled 'Wedge Up' and move the fuse from its position to the empty slot beside the fuse. While it's plugged into the bypass slot, the Power Wedge will move upwards.

Power Wedge Troubleshooting

High-Current Alarm - If you're helm screen is displaying a high current alarm when operating the wedge, this can be caused by two separate issues. First, if the alarm is immediate when moving the wedge, it's possible the wedge frame is bent causing one or both actuator rams to bind. If this is suspected, disconnect the actuators from the rams and ensure the wedge frame swings free and exactly parallel to both rams. Second, ensure you avoid operating the wedge through the top half of the arc while moving at high speed (above 10 mph). The wedge doesn't modify the wake in this region, but there is a high amount of drag in this area if the boat is at high speed. 

Screen Delamination - If you've had a malibu for any length of time, you're probably familiar with touch screen delamination. This problem occurs when the liquid optically clear adhesive (LOCA) bonding the touch screen glass to the LCD panel decomposes back to a liquid state and leaks away from the glass. As the adhesive leaks away, it often disturbs the touch panel's delicate capacitive sensing lines, leading to loss of touch response. The Power Wedge control on the MTC screen is at the top, on the outside perimeter, which is the first area that delamination tends to appear. In order to prove that your issue is not touch screen related, attempt to manually move the wedge using the bypass fuse positions, for both up and down movement, as described in the tip above.

If the Power Wedge doesn't move using the screen controls, or with the fuses in bypass, there are three more potential issues.

Power Wedge Fuse - In addition to the 'wedge up' and 'wedge down' fuses in the main fuse panel, there is an un-labeled red fuse holder under the dash that should have a 25-30 amp fuse. Verify this fuse is not blown.

Power Wedge Actuators - The pair of Lenco actuators connected to the Power Wedge can fail, particularly if the boat is stored floating at anchor or in a slip. To directly test the actuators, first disconnect the wedge from the actuators, then follow the black cord actuator leads through the transom and un-clip the grey Deutsch connectors on the inside. Connect a 12 V battery to the pins in the connector using some spare wire. The actuators should operate when directly connected. Reverse the polarity to move the actuator the opposite direction.

Lenco Module - If the actuators are moving when directly connected to a battery, and all the steps above are checked off, unfortunately the Lenco control module has most likely failed. These units are no longer manufactured, and if available will be quite expensive. However, if you find yourself in this predicament, give us a call at Wakeswitches. We can configure our control tablet with an auxiliary wedge control module that will restore the Power Wedge function. This option will be less expensive than a Lenco module replacement, and you'll also enjoy some modern technology and exciting new features.

At Wakeswitches we have tons of experience with Malibu's both through business and personal ownership. There's a great chance we can get you want you need to get back on the water, or at least point you in the right direction. Give us a call today at 512.221.2975.