blower, tach, and gas gauge not working, help?

[mountainmariner]

Hey All,
I have a i/o, 20', with a sbc 350, 260 horse power. It also has power steering, 2 batteries, and a battery selector switch. This boat has been toyed with by "shade tree mechanics", but runs excellent. The gauges don't work, and I'm wondering, would it be easier to re wire, than diagnose/find the problem? I have intermediate wiring knowledge, but little by way of finding, and diagnosing shorts. I can re-wire, and sauder, that's about it.
any thoughts?

 

[mountainmariner]

Re: blower, tach, and gas gauge not working, help?

c'mon folks, any help?

 

[bradfordh]

Re: blower, tach, and gas gauge not working, help?

Its hard to say since I can't see your boat. If it were me, I would try to trace the wires from the gages or indicators back to the source. You should be able to figure out why its not working. Like the blower black wire should go to a common or negetive terminal on the fuse block and the red wire should go to a switch on the dash then to the positive side of the fuse block. But yours can be different . :redface:

 

[mountainmariner]

Re: blower, tach, and gas gauge not working, help?

Thanks for the reply, I'm still working on it. I may replace the gauges with aftermarket stuff, but I'll try to get the original stuff working first.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: blower, tach, and gas gauge not working, help?

Replacing gauges is a very expensive way to fix a problem when in fact the wiring to them may be the issue. The net result is you get done and they still don't work. Guages need +12 volts and ground and a sender connection to work. If they are lighted they also need a +12V connection to the light switch. The first thing you need to understand about troubleshooting is that 'SHORTS" cause fuses to blow. Opens do not. If you had a short somewhere, there would be a blown fuse. Check the fuse at the start battery. The large battery cables run to the engine. Generally there are two smaller wires connected there and one on the positive terminal has a fuse. If that fuse is blown none of the accessories forward of that point will work. If the gauges are powered through the ignition switch, then make sure you have +12 volts on the "A" terminal of the switch. That terminal generally feeds the gauges. Every gauge needs a ground connection. Those are usually daisy chained from one gauge to the next just like the +12 volt connection. No ground, no function. A sender connection is required for the gas gauge and tach. If there is no signal on those lines the gauge won't work.

 

[mountainmariner]

Re: blower, tach, and gas gauge not working, help?

Thanks Silvertip,
I'll check this out tomorrow. I cut the wires to the blower to test it directly to the battery, and the wires immediately became hot(internal problem in blower?), and would not run.
any thoughts on that?
Thanks again, I'll keep this updated.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: blower, tach, and gas gauge not working, help?

Blower motor is very likely seized up. Time for a replacement.

 

[mountainmariner]

Re: blower, tach, and gas gauge not working, help?

Update:
Thanks. I'm sure you arer right(blower motor)
I removed the dash panel and gauge clusters, the tach was COMPLETELY rusted out on the bottom, back half. There are wires that have rusted, and fallen away from the back of it.. Think that might be my problem?lol
It's a mess back there, but the tach seems to be the only part rusted.
I'll start there as far as the gauges go, but do you have any idea what a new blower cost? Can I use any fan/motor?
Thanks!
Jim.

 

[lowkee]

Re: blower, tach, and gas gauge not working, help?

As a starter, I would try to reseat every terminal behind the dash and give each one a dab of grease before you plug it back in. If you find a gauge or two begin working again, you know your issue. The blower doesn't cost much and is quite important, so be sure you don't just decide "maybe later" and skip it for a later date.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: blower, tach, and gas gauge not working, help?

Remember, you are dealing with potentially explosive fumes. Automotive parts are not generally suitable in a marine environment. Same goes for starters and alternators. There is a difference.

 

[mountainmariner]

Re: blower, tach, and gas gauge not working, help?

Thanks all,
I'm still workin on her. Lowke, wow.
Quite a project!