Need to replace all guages, where to start

[jlgab345]

None of our guages are working. Marine Service dept says that all are bad and need to be replaced....or $560 later.

We want to try to do the work ourselves since we can buy the same Faria guages new for $200. This will be the first of many projects to come I'm sure and the more we learn now, the better off we'll be in the future.

What are the best resources and where should we start?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Need to replace all guages, where to start

I seriously doubt every gauge on your console is bad -- and I would bet that if you did nothing more than replacing the gauges that they still wouldn't work. Why not first PROVE they are bad and THEN replace them if necessary. So troubleshooting starts by looking at the sticky at the very top of this forum that says "Generic Wiring Diagram". Then using a voltmeter, ensure every gauge except the speedometer has +12 volts on the "I" (ignition) or "+" terminal when the key is in the run position. If they don't you just found one problem and probably the main problem. If you do see +12 volts then make sure every gauge has a good ground. If not, fix it and I then bet all gauges come to life. They may not be reading correctly at this point but they will come to life. Next step is to ground the "S" (sense) or (sender) terminal to ground. This should send the gauge to its full right position. If not, either the wiring or the sender is bad. See where this goes.