Hour meter not lighing up.

[beason]

2005 Chap 220ssi with volvo 5.0gxi. All the gauges work, with the exception of the hour meter. I am trying to sell the boat, and not knowing the hours is causing issues. Gauge, or sender? is there any other way to read it?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Fun Times]

Hi there, this probably is not what you'd like to hear at the moment due to you're trying to sell the boat but looking up your boat model on the internet indicates your hour gauge is incorporated into the tachometer (RPM) gauge as a digital readout.....If so and the digital hour readout numbers aren't visible any longer but the gauge still works like normal with the engine running along with the "Gauge Light" for night time use, then you may have to try contacting the gauge manufacturer to see if they offer a repair service for the gauge as most do but some don't. If they do, then you'd have to mail it into them for repair once you confirm that part of the gauge is repairable.

Another option to check the actual engine hours would be to run by a marine servicing dealer and ask them if they'd be willing to bring out their marine scan tool to read the hours on your engine since it is fuel injected...The ECM holds an internal memory for engine "running" hours.

Also try tapping on the gauge a little to see if you can get the hours to read again.

Have a photo or video of your gauge handy?

Good luck.

 

[beason]

Thank you for the info, i may have to do the service dealer thing. Where is the port? is it like an OBD on a car?

here is the gauge.

and the back

Ive had them all out, redoing the finish on the dash panel. didnt work before or after.

 

[Fun Times]

The data link connector can only be found on top of the engine and should look similar to the photo below (without the clips ) but it should have a cap/cover over the connector that you'd have to remove to connect a "marine" scan tool..

Two ways to find out the brand of the gauges, one contact a/your Chaparral dealer with your hull ID number or email Chaparral to see is they know.http://www.chaparralboats.com/Contact-Us.php#

The power to the gauge/hour meter is all internal so there's not much more you can do that I'm aware of. At least the plug-in connectors make it easier on you to service.
The Blue Wire = Gauge Light.
Yellow = Ground.
Gray = Tachometer Signal.
Purple = Gauge Power.

Keep us updated with everything, good luck.

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/...e-marine-efi-code-tool-less-than-$1-00-a.html

 

[beason]

If that is the only 4 wires, where does it get the hour signal? or does it just count on its own? I guess what im asking is where is the hour stats kept? and if its in the engine ecu or whatever, how does the meter gauge get that signal?

 

[Fun Times]

The engine ECM hours are separate from the hours you'd see on the tachometer gauge...They don't correspond with each other directly.

The power to operate the Tachometer and engine hour signal would be all connected internally to the gauge utilizing the wires going into the rear of the gauge.

From Faria-instruments website "Quick Tips" http://faria-instruments.com/quick_tips_faqs.php

[h=3]Pilot 1/Tach-Hourmeter:[/h] To ensure accuracy, the Pilot 1 Speedometer and all Faria Beede Tach-Hourmeter Combination Instruments utilize Engine Running Only hourmeters. This instrument does not read engine hours until a certain voltage has been achieved during engine use.

From someone that has repaired one supposedly,

The LCD module is connected to the main circuit board via a flat ribbon cable. The problem is poor contact between the pads of the ribbon cable and the board receptacle. Lever up each end of the receptacle to release pressure on the cable and pull it out. Lightly clean the pads of the end of the ribbon cable with contact cleaner. You may also need to get a little contact cleaner inside the receptacle. Fully dry each with heatgun/hairdryer before reconnecting. Be careful when doing that as you don't want to overheat the ribbon cable. I always use Caig cleaning products. This has worked every time on several different gauges for me.
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...jh4ae-yanmar-displays-76479-2.html#post884340

Gauge repair costs, http://faria-instruments.com/forms/?form=new

Video of someone's hour gauge going out when revving engine, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y7xztJ0a1A < Either dirty connections or low voltage someplace would be my guesses.

 

[beason]

I repair computers for a living, i think im going to crack it open and see if its that ribbon. That sounds like an easy fix. Thanks!

 

[Fun Times]

^ If you do, maybe you could document the repair process here too.:encouragement:

Good luck.