Gauges not working...any ideas...

[sike1700]

I have a 1995 Regal Valanti..and none of gauges on the dash are working...

We purchased the knowing that it was going to need some fixing up but, tracing wires back and forth need some ideas from people that have had this problem before...The back lighting to light them up is working...

I put a new head unit in and it is working properly...

Are there fuses anywhere that might be the issue? all the switches to run bilge pump and lights are working...

If you need any more info feel free to ask and i will answer the best I can..first boat so pretty green to everything.

thanks for any help...

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Gauges not working...any ideas...

Gauges do not have fuses. Gauges need +12 volts when the key is on and a ground connection. The gauges are daisy chained from one to the other. Obviously either the ground connection or the +12 volt connection to the first gauge in the string is missing which affects all the others. +12 volts comes from the "A" (accessory) terminal on the ignition switch and goes to the "I" (ignition) terminal on the gauge. Ground is ground wherever you find it.

Look at the Generic Wiring Diagrams at the very top of this forum.

 

[backyard mechanic]

Re: Gauges not working...any ideas...

I agree this sounds like a grounding issue. You need to run a hard wire from battery to a ground buss bar and connect all grounds to that. (Separate grounds are best). NEXT ground the buss bar ground to the boat ground. Any and every ground needs to be bonded to ground and the bonding ground grounded back to the battery ground. Yes, it's an over abundance of grounds but then not to do so is going to cause paint problems Zinc problems and electrical problems.

 

[sike1700]

Re: Gauges not working...any ideas...

thanks guys for the replies..I will put your knowledge to work and see if fixes the problem..

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Gauges not working...any ideas...

This does not have to be just a ground problem and there is absolutely no reason to start rewiring your ground system. Gauges have been and will continue to be daisy chained at the factory. Loss of +12 volts is just as responsible for loss of function as ground. Diagnose, then fix. Don't try to fix without diagnosing. Two minutes with a test light or multi-tester will point to the problem.