Gauges shorting out?

[MSmith3615]

Can anyone tell me how to figure out where the short or lose connection is in my dash? While underway in rough water, half of my dash goes out. I lose my tach, engine temp gauge, volt meter gauge, bilge pump, blower, bow and stern lights. All these switches and gauges are on the left side of insturmentation panel. The other half in not affected. All I have to do is hit that side of my dash and the power comes back on. I just can't seem to figure out where the short or lose wire is. I've check my wires connecting my gauges and the are all snug. How do I figure out where the short or lose wire is? Any help would be great.

 

[ricksrster]

Re: Gauges shorting out?

The gauges probably run off the pos+ key on post on the ignition switch. you can trace that wire back from the gauges to the ign. switch. Also it could be the ground on that side of the instrument panel.Since your lights , pumps, and blower probably run dorect pos+ from the battery, I would check the ground first.

 

[MSmith3615]

Re: Gauges shorting out?

So many wires, its like a spiders web under my dash, where is the ign switch located?

 

[ricksrster]

Re: Gauges shorting out?

That is what you put the key in to start the motor, But I would start checking ground wires first. These are usually black wires. Do your blower and bilge pump work without having on turn on the key?

 

[MSmith3615]

Re: Gauges shorting out?

I thought that was it but you never know unless you ask. Yes the blower and bilge both work without the key turned on. I just last year replaced all the guages and rewired them too. But I did not touch the ingnition switch. Its pretty old, maybe that is where my problem is, but I'm going to check the ground wires first.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Gauges shorting out?

Gauges are typically wired so +12V is wired to the 12V post on one gauge. A jumper wire connects to the next gauge and so on. Lose +12V to the first gauge and all will drop out. THe grounds are wired the same way. Check those connections and you will likely find the problem. Every post should have a star washer, not a split lock washer on them.

 

[MSmith3615]

Re: Gauges shorting out?

Upinsmoke,<br />Your are exactly right that's how it is. Now I have to find it. The wiring is 21 years old. Is it hard to rewire the whole dash back to engine? Thanks

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Gauges shorting out?

Is it hard to rewire? You looked and you saw! If you are uncomfortable doing electrical work you probably should let a pro do it. Troubleshoot the problem - all you need is a test light or a volt-ohm meter and approach the problem in a logical fashion. Jump around and you'll waste time. Find the +12V feed and follow it down the line.

 

[MSmith3615]

Re: Gauges shorting out?

I'm going to try it, if I screw it up I will let the pro's fix my mistake. My boat mech loves me, he says I help pay for his kids christmas.