Four Winns - VDO Instrument Cluster

[mcbridek]

2000 Fours Winns, 5.0L, Volvo Penta SX, Eng 4012010756 boat FWNME681A000. I have been having a number of electrical problems. Oil Pressure gauge / alarm false reading and now when I start the boat, almost immediately the engine overheat alarm goes off and the temp gauge is pegged on hot. After checking the water flow, I spoke with a local boat mechanic and although he has not looked at the boat yet (next week) he says the problem is most likely the VDO instrument cluster has to be replaced. Four Winns used a VDO instrument cluster from 1998 to 2001 and this is common problem. If this is the problem the cluster has to be replaced and the part costs $500. The replacement part is a redesign cluster and fixed the problem. Anyone familiar with this problem ?

 

[Don S]

Re: Four Winns - VDO Instrument Cluster

Moving to Electrics, Electronics and Trolling Motors (not engine)

 

[njlarry]

Re: Four Winns - VDO Instrument Cluster

Sounds more like the sending units or wiring. The VDOs are very reliable but if mine ever goes I think I'd replace it with a DIY custom guage cluster with a burled walnut face plate. It would be much less cost and give you more options.

 

[Grou]

Re: Four Winns - VDO Instrument Cluster

Hi, I am having identical issues with my 2000 238 Vista. In fact I think the oil pressure gauge just quit. As I am winterizing the boat, I will have to connect a mechanical guage to run the stabilzer through the engine so as to ensure I in fact have oil pressure, and not destroy the motor. The temperature stays pinned on start up, and even the gas and trim gauges appear to have issues. I have been told the cluster can be rebuilt (not sure who does it), if I find someone, I will post...please do the same.

 

[grilling]

Re: Four Winns - VDO Instrument Cluster

I found the solution for this if you want to keep your gauges that came with the boat. It is fairly moderate costs to fix. With shipping the unit back was 260 dollars, but I sent the unit it and had back within a week. The website for the company that fixed it was....

http://autoelectronicsonline.com/index.htm