Tach and trim gauges not working on a '93 Four Winns... where to start?

[Ck111484]

Hi,

I recently picked up a 1993 Four Winns 215 Sundowner, and the previous owner told me that the tachometer and trim gauges weren't working, and that he had installed a new sender for the tach and it still didn't work.

I installed replacements (not the factory gauges - I found some Farias that look close and have the same hook-ups), and while I haven't had a chance to start the boat up yet and check the tachometer (don't have muffs for the drive), I noticed today that when you turn on the ignition, the trim gauge pegs the top and stays there regardless of when you lower the drive. Also noticed that their respective light bulbs don't appear to be working, so I'm thinking it may be an electical issue rather than the gauges themselves...

Where would I go about looking for problems? Where would the grounds be for these gauges? What about the connections to the engine?
Where should I go about starting to troubleshoot this?

Any suggestions are appreciated,
Thanks!

 

[cr2k]

Re: Tach and trim gauges not working on a '93 Four Winns... where to start?

First look under the dash. Check all connections and harneses. If you have glass fuses you may need to replace the fuse block.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Tach and trim gauges not working on a '93 Four Winns... where to start?

Guages are not generally powered via the boat harness and fuse panel. They are powered via the engine harness. If some gauges are working and others are not, it will be a connection issue. The prior owner was also giving you bogus information about the sender for the tach. It doesn't have one. The tach sense line is fed by the ignition system (ignition coil) on an I/O. He may have installed a new "trim" gauge sender but as usual, with no troubleshooting, the shotgun approach generally doesn't work. I contend it is a connection issue. Verify the gauge is ok by "momenarily" shorting the "S" terminal to the "G" (ground) terminal with the key on. If the gauge pegs full up the gauge is good and the wire to the sender is not connected, broken, etc. If the gauge doesn't peg, then it is missing +12 volts and/or ground (verify with a meter) or the gauge is bad. Do the same +12 volt and ground test on the tach but don't do the short test. Again, make sure the sense wire back to the engine is ok.

 

[Ck111484]

Re: Tach and trim gauges not working on a '93 Four Winns... where to start?

Guages are not generally powered via the boat harness and fuse panel. They are powered via the engine harness. If some gauges are working and others are not, it will be a connection issue. The prior owner was also giving you bogus information about the sender for the tach. It doesn't have one. The tach sense line is fed by the ignition system (ignition coil) on an I/O. He may have installed a new "trim" gauge sender but as usual, with no troubleshooting, the shotgun approach generally doesn't work. I contend it is a connection issue. Verify the gauge is ok by "momenarily" shorting the "S" terminal to the "G" (ground) terminal with the key on. If the gauge pegs full up the gauge is good and the wire to the sender is not connected, broken, etc. If the gauge doesn't peg, then it is missing +12 volts and/or ground (verify with a meter) or the gauge is bad. Do the same +12 volt and ground test on the tach but don't do the short test. Again, make sure the sense wire back to the engine is ok.

Thanks very much for the reply.
Haven't had a chance to test the gauges yet, but I did have a chance to start the boat for the first time today, and lo and behold... the temp gauge doesn't work either :facepalm:
The chances of 3 gauges all being out are slim, so I'm thinking I have some electrical issues for sure...

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Tach and trim gauges not working on a '93 Four Winns... where to start?

The temp gauge can be tested in exactly the same way as the trim and fuel gauge.

 

[rickryder]

Re: Tach and trim gauges not working on a '93 Four Winns... where to start?

This should help you to trace things http://www.fourwinns.com/past_produ...1993/Sportboat/Manual (Complete) - 34.6MB.pdf