1996 Maxum 1800 SR Mercruiser 4.3LX Alpha one engine hour meter question

wireready

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
May 26, 2009
Messages
46
Just bought this boat. I can't find an hour meter anywhere on the dash. No missing guages are evident. All analog. RPM, MPH, Temp, Oil Pressure, Trim, Fuel are all around the steering wheel, but no hour meter. Is there a place on the engine itself where an hour meter is- or was it not uncommon for boats to not have hours meters on them.

I don't know if 1996 is too old for an engine code reading port, but if the engine has a code testing port, does the computer provide an hours readout that can be read? The original Mercruiser operation and maintenance manual lists a bunch of typical guages typically found on a boat including a cruiselog/hours meter- but doesn't say that an hours meter was considered required.

Just seems strange that Maxum wasn't putting an hours meter on their boats in 1996 given that so much maintenance on the 4.3LX was listed based on operating hours in use.
 

Bondo

Moderator
Staff member
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Apr 17, 2002
Messages
71,082
Re: 1996 Maxum 1800 SR Mercruiser 4.3LX Alpha one engine hour meter question

Ayuh,... Generally speakin',... Hour meters are Owner added...
And,...
Unless it's fuel injected, it ain't got a 'puter to read...
 

Don S

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Aug 31, 2004
Messages
62,321
Re: 1996 Maxum 1800 SR Mercruiser 4.3LX Alpha one engine hour meter question

If you REALLY, REALLY, REALLY find a need to get the hours from your engine, being a 96, you may have a 2nd generation Thunderbolt V ignition module, if this is the original module, and you can find a shop that has the Rinda scan tool and harness. You can get the hours for the engine.
Have a look at this link. http://www.rinda.com/acro/merc_manual_v6.pdf
Starting on page 50 of the manual is info on the TB5 ignition.
 

wireready

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
May 26, 2009
Messages
46
Re: 1996 Maxum 1800 SR Mercruiser 4.3LX Alpha one engine hour meter question

Thanks for the info. It's a Thunderbolt IV. No worries.
 
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