speedo not working on Alpha 1

[Atropine]

Hey all-<br />My speedo has stopped working properly on my Alpha One Gen II outdrive. It worked great last year, then I had to take the unit apart this spring to replace the Y-pipe. I reconnected the speedo cable at the disconnect point between the upper and lower halves of the outdrive, and the speedo seemed to work fine until about 2 weeks ago. I use the boat only for wakeboarding, so I know that 20mph = @2600rpm with my current setup. I can get the boat up to plane and settle in at 2600 rpm, but the speedo will only read about 10-12 mph. Occasionally it will jump up and for short periods of time actually read almost the correct speed, but it is usually reading just too low. If I take the boat up to 3200 rpm (which I believe is 25-28 mph, the speedo will come up but I don't know if it ever reaches the correct speed reading or not. Anyone have any ideas? It looks like the connection is intact on the stern drive. I don't know how the speedo actually work on this unit, but I wonder if there is a chance it reads off the impeller and maybe my impeller is worn? My engine temp has been consistently normal, even after 3 hours of start, stop, start, stop........

 

[wvit100]

Re: speedo not working on Alpha 1

My speedometer works good for the first couple of times every year. Then it gets clogged with leaves and stuff and is worthless. I've quit worrying about it, it isn't worth the hassle of trying to keep it cleaned out.

 

[Bayrider]

Re: speedo not working on Alpha 1

Hi. It, not a cable, it,s a hollow rubber hose that works with air pressure.The water enters the speedo pickup hole on the outdrive,this inturn pressurises the air in hose.The faster the boat moves the more air pressure is generated.Try taking the hose of the back of the speedo,blow down the hose to make sure there is not water trapped in an air pocket.The hose needs to be clear of any blockages for the speedo to work. Hope this helps

 

[MFG197]

Re: speedo not working on Alpha 1

Last summer I hit a log and the wood jammed up in the speedo pitot hole on the leading edge of the A1 G2. Used some wire to clean it out and water poured out....Problem solved.

 

[johnkc]

Re: speedo not working on Alpha 1

use a 7/64 drill bit in a battery powered drill to clean out the pick-up hole. you are only cleaning out mud or debris from tree bark or wood .stop drilling if you get ANY aluminum shavings.if you drill any aluminum it will drill right into the gear lube thus ruining the lower hsg. then disconnect the connector and blow some air towards the speedo.the needle should jump quickly.then blow out the lower unit passage .connect the hose and test again with the hose hooked to the drive .then see how it does in the lake .

 

[outboardguy]

Re: speedo not working on Alpha 1

Check to see if the speedo line is getting kinked behind the water supply hose on the port side of the transom.

 

[Atropine]

Re: speedo not working on Alpha 1

Thanks eveyone. I took the speedo hose apart at the fitting and blew air down into the lower hose with my compressor. I blew wood chunks out the front ( I didn't even know where the speedo intake was until then). Hooke it back up, and it works great now. Thanks again-<br />Sam

 

[johnkc]

Re: speedo not working on Alpha 1

it sure is nice when somebody that we helped posts a conclusion.