speedometer not working

[knashcat]

I have a Bayliner 1850 LS with the 185 hp inboard and an alpha one mercruiser outdrive and was hoping some one could tell me what may be wrong with the speedometer . Not working @ all and would like to change that , Thanks everyone

 

[gcboat]

Re: speedometer not working

Look under the dash and verify that it's connected. If all O.K. then check the drive unit. On the nose cone there will be a small hole. That's where the water enters to get your pressure reading. It might be clogged with junk. Just be really careful trying to get it out so you don't push it back any further. You could also disconnect it from the housing area and try to push some compressed air through it - not too much pressure!! Also look at the connection around the engine itself - could of come loose.
P.S. Better off buying a GPS unit - those speedos are not very accurate.

 

[rjahr01]

Re: speedometer not working

At the back of the boat near the prop their is a mainilla colored triangle, see if that has been flipped up in a fixed position that is where the odometer gets it's readings.

 

[FusionFrank]

Re: speedometer not working

At the back of the boat near the prop their is a mainilla colored triangle, see if that has been flipped up in a fixed position that is where the odometer gets it's readings.

I think his Alpha one drive has the hole & pressure hose that gcboat above described. When I took my soon to be boat on it's sea trial with the former owner, the speedo didn't work at all. The owner assured me it had worked fine the previous year. My boat is a 1997 1950 Capri with a 3.0 LX engine and Alpha One drive. When I got it home I found the pressure hose was simply dis-connected from the lower unit, I plugged it in and it has worked properly ever since (2nd season). I agree with gcboat that a GPS is more accurate, but I still want my speedo to have some reading.​

 

[BAYLINER185]

Re: speedometer not working

yep a 1997 will have the pick up in the drive

1st make sure the hose is connected at the back of the drive just above the prop and cavitation plate. Its a 1/2 turn type of connection.

If its connected then get a long thin but stiff wire and push it in the pick up hole in the drive. Push it and pull it and clean that hole out. I had gotten a chuck of wood so badly stuck in mine I needed to use a drill and a small drill bit to clean it out. It was nasty.

Most cases it wont be so bad but they do get clogged up. More then likey thats whats wrong with yours!

 

[Dave-Oxford]

Re: speedometer not working

After a while I was finally able to clear my clogged sterndrive speedometer pickup hole today (after hitting a large stick on the water) with some of the suggestions provided here and other sources. I ended up using a 1/8" and smaller drill bit and spun it by hand at first to pull the debris out of the hole. After a time with no luck I gripped the bit with a pair of vise grips to help grap the debris inside the hole (mostly wood) and continued to slowly turn and pull out the debris especially since I had no idea how deep I would need to go and also didn't wan't to puncture the gear housing. Eventually I broke thru the clog and water poured out of the hole. I blew out the hole from the top tube connection with water and air at the end. At the end I measured the depth of the cleared hole at 1-3/4" so that next time I can use more twisting force until I get near the final depth. Note: I have a 2005 Alpha 1, Gen II drive so other types will likely have varying depths. Thanks for the help and I hope I can also help someone else with this issue.

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: speedometer not working

After a while I was finally able to clear my clogged sterndrive speedometer pickup hole today (after hitting a large stick on the water) with some of the suggestions provided here and other sources. I ended up using a 1/8" and smaller drill bit and spun it by hand at first to pull the debris out of the hole. After a time with no luck I gripped the bit with a pair of vise grips to help grap the debris inside the hole (mostly wood) and continued to slowly turn and pull out the debris especially since I had no idea how deep I would need to go and also didn't wan't to puncture the gear housing. Eventually I broke thru the clog and water poured out of the hole. I blew out the hole from the top tube connection with water and air at the end. At the end I measured the depth of the cleared hole at 1-3/4" so that next time I can use more twisting force until I get near the final depth. Note: I have a 2005 Alpha 1, Gen II drive so other types will likely have varying depths. Thanks for the help and I hope I can also help someone else with this issue.

Good info...thanks for the report!

Happy boating!