www.iFourWinns.com

Whenever I turn on my spotlight my engine temp gauge quickly climbs into the red zone and the high temp alarm sounds . Also my oil pressure gauge rises into the red zone . I checked the temperature of my altenator with temp gun and it was reading 215 degrees F . This seemed way too hot to me . What do you guys think , voltage regulator ? I'm open to suggestions . thanks , keith .

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1998 VISTA 258

Well, there's no way that the electrical draw of the spot light is specifically causing the engine temp and oil pressure to change. Therefore, it's likely that you have a poor ground for the gauges. this is very common, by the way. Perhaps some of the other guys can give you specific ground point to look at.

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Gordon Arnold
New Hampshire

2003 268 Vista ..................................................................Prior: 97 245 Sundowner

Thanks , would this ground be located behind the instrument panel ?

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1998 VISTA 258

I know this post is old!!! But what did you find that was causing the temp to rise???

Thanks
Paul

If I remember, he tried to hook up a Lowrance EP-65R Fluid Level Sensor , and it caused his gauge to malfunction when the spotlight turned on.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Cap'n ..... You're going to get yourself a time out

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Marc, Kathlin & Nathalie


'89 Chaparral Laser 32

'93 Vista 245, 5.8L w/ King Cobra

Former Boats
'01 H260, 7.4 VP Duoprop
'98 H200, 5.0 GL w/VP SX drive

It was a bad grounding system on my gauges . I have since replaced my VDO gauges with Faria gauges . 1000 bucks

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1998 VISTA 258

Yeah, but at least your engine doesnt overheat when you turn on the spotlight

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Current Boat:
2004 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer "Nauti Luvin'"

Previous Boats:
1999 298 Vista "Seas The Day"
2008 H200SS "Nauti Luv"
2006 Tahoe Q4

Seahorse,

Do you have any pics of your Faria gauges...I have a 98 245 and have the same problem with the temp and oil gauges rising when I turn on my spot light as well. I had been thinking of changing out my VDO for gauges as well. would love to see how it turned out. What did you use for your instrument gauge backing/Mounting plate?

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Tom
Current:
2007 FourWinns 318 Vista
5.7 GI/DP-A 280hp x 2

Previous:
2012 Crownline 260 CR 350 Mag/Bravo III 300hp
1998 FourWinns 245 Sundowner 5.7 GSI/SX 280hp