Repaired VDO installed

KLB41854 · **Posted:** Fri Aug 08, 2014 5:01 pm

Hi 2000 FW Horizon 210. My VDO has died and I need to get it out. How do you get the grey bezel that wraps around the gauges off. Can not find any screws holding it. Does it snap on? Don't want to break it. May have to use it again. Checking with FW to see if new replacement panel is available again. I heard they were going to start making them again. Not the VDO type. All separate gauges. If not may try adding ground to cluster internally. Any help would be appreciated. Just got back from taking a good look under dash. There is about a 6 inch by 6 inch cut out where the 24 pin plug goes. I'm thinking I can cut this hole much bigger and take cluster out the back side. Anyone ever try this? Thanx Well I cut a 8 inch by 6 inch piece out of the back of the cowl, and the VDO panel slid right out. Had to un screw fuse panel and move the wire harness, but was fairly easy. Now send it to CDI for repair.

rpengr · **Posted:** Fri Nov 14, 2014 1:08 pm

I had the VDO panel die one time, and it just turned out to be an inline fuse.

See this thread for more detail about the fuse location and type:
http://www.smwebhead.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=12980&p=122670&hilit=vdo+fuse#p122670

jontmiller · **Joined:** Thu Jul 26, 2012 8:16 am **Posts:** 296

My 1998 the whole assembly falls out the back after pulling a few wingnuts off, I think about 4 around the perimeter or the whole grey plastic box looking thing.... no reason to pull the bezel off....I don't have any photos handy as the boat is covered up for the season.

I Would like to see some more information on getting these fixed or a cheapish solution swapping individual gauges into the existing space. I have read all the replacement repair threads and still searching for something I want to try.

jontmiller · **Joined:** Thu Jul 26, 2012 8:16 am **Posts:** 296

I did the opposite of cheap.....can't wait to get it installed

IMG_2234.JPG by millerjont, on Flickr

KLB41854 · **Posted:** Fri Jan 23, 2015 8:46 pm

Got VDO panel back from CDI today. Ran new ground wire (they supplied) to the main ground on engine block. Now install and fire it up.

jontmiller · **Joined:** Thu Jul 26, 2012 8:16 am **Posts:** 296

would love to see where they solder the ground wire to the back of the VDO panel....suppose that's all they did?

KLB41854 · **Posted:** Sat Jan 24, 2015 10:47 am

CDI replaced a capacitor and then added the new ground wire. Went to install today, pulled VDO out of box and the ground wire fell on the floor. Solder job was terrible. Had such a small amount of solder on it. No way it would hold. Now have to call them Monday and get new RMA number and send it back. Not a happy camper.

jontmiller · **Joined:** Thu Jul 26, 2012 8:16 am **Posts:** 296

ooh that sucks...keep us updated how they handle the return...did you open the back to see the solder job? if so take a pic for us all.

good luck...I almost went your direction with mine.

KLB41854 · **Posted:** Sat Jan 24, 2015 4:49 pm

I did looked inside but could not find where they had soldered the ground. There was a little solder on the end of the wire. I mean this was like half a pin head of solder. Not enough to hold it. Must have been done on Friday. LOL They better pay for shipping. Will update Monday

KLB41854 · **Posted:** Tue Feb 03, 2015 2:12 pm

Installed VDO today. Works perfect. Before I had it repaired and it worked from time to time, the LCD screen never worked. Just flashed PROG or showed clock that you could not set. Now everything works. Hour meter, water temp, hours etc. I'm one Happy Boater.. CDI did a great job!!!

KLB41854 · **Posted:** Tue Feb 03, 2015 8:10 pm

jontmiller · **Joined:** Thu Jul 26, 2012 8:16 am **Posts:** 296

Glad it worked out for you....

in other news....I pulled about 400 pounds of snow off the covers of my boat today

KLB41854 · **Posted:** Thu Feb 05, 2015 1:45 pm

Thanx. I actually like the VDO look. Nice to have the hours , depth , water temp and all that working. Hasn't worked since I bought the boat. Needle gauges worked from time to time. When I first bought it they worked then went dead for a month. Then started working again. Lasted almost all last summer then went out again. That's when I decided to get it fixed.

jontmiller · **Joined:** Thu Jul 26, 2012 8:16 am **Posts:** 296

Sounds like what my old one was doing....

www.iFourWinns.com

Repaired VDO installed

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