www.iFourWinns.com

Hi all...has anyone here replace their VDO gauge cluser with the replacements dash Four Winns sells? How easy was it and does anyone remeber the cost?

Much appreciated.

I will be replacing my cluster this week or next. I don't have the boat out of storage yet, so I haven't gotten beyond buying the replacement. I can tell you it comes with the 24 pin mating connector so it appears to be a drop in from the electrical side. Don't know yet about the mechanical side, but I should get to it this week I hope. It cost $545 and it was in stock and shipped right away.

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"No Losses"

Who did you order it from?

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2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

I ordered from Coulter Marine (Four Winns dealer at Lake Panorama near Des Moines IA). I think the price was quite close to a quote I had from the dealer in Dubuque IA. I live about 100 miles from Coulter, but I order parts from them and have them drop shipped to my house. Saves me driving, and at today's prices it's cheaper to ship than drive.

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"No Losses"

I have a 190 Horizon, and all my guages just went out yesterday. they were working fine just two days before. Anyone have any suggestions on this? Maybe a wiring problem? I know it isn't coming from the motor because my digital clock/depth finder doesn't work either so I'm assuming its just a power problem.

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2001 Horizon 190
2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer LT

Posted on other thread also.
Check for the helm power breaker. It should be under the hatch somewhere.

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H210SS 6.2
F150 Platinum

I believe the problem with the VDO helm is that it's overly sensitive to the slightest imperfection in the ground connections. Frankly, if you don't find a tripped breaker or some other obvious fix, I'd consider the replacement. I've wondered how long they're going to continue offering it.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

gonna sound dumb but where exactly is my power breaker? I have a fuse panel under the dash and everything checks out ok

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2001 Horizon 190
2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer LT

If yours is like mine (sunsport seating) there should be a button in the engine compartment, to the left of the motor. On mine there is also one to the left of the steering wheel.

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Matt-

2007 Four Winns H190
Earth First, We'll Mine the Other Planets Later

Sorry if this is a repeat. my earlier reply seems to have disappeared into cyberspace, it'll probably reappear just after I post this!

Don't give up on the VDO gauge pack without some simple investigations. If the whole VDO pack has gone into "fiesta" mode I'd check the multi connector behind the dash, plus other breakers and ground connections.

I seem to have had the opposite experience with the VDO pack to most others; never a problem with mine, except for visibility, which was a FW dash design issue. The current Faria gauges are a lot more "quirky", oscillating readings and pegged readings on the tach requiring a little tap to get it moving again ( was I really doing 50 mph at 2000 rpm?). The worst thing for me is the speedo; not a Faria issue, but a pitot tube issue. Mine only starts reading when my speed is well above the speed limit for the harbour my marina is in, thankfully I have GPS: the VDO electronic speedo on the other hand used a paddle wheel sensor, very accurate from low speeds.

Graham

Any problems with your temp gauge? Our 2007 H190 has been having problems with the temp gauge (Faria 4 in 1) not reading (stays at zero). The other gauges are fine. I took it to the dealer (4 hours away) and they replaced the sending unit. When I got home I hooked the boat up to the flush kit to try it out. The gauge worked but took a long time to register (~175 running temp). A week later we went to the lake...and guess what? No reading! Could the cold lake water (Cold for California ~60 F) be the reason that it is not reading. Is the water in the block simply not reaching the 175 mark? Do the cooling systems in the boats "hold" the water in the block (thermostat controlled) or is the water always flushing through? If it is constantly flushing through the block then I am under the impression that maybe the cold water is causing a zero reading. I am curious if I run an warm water (~80 F) if the gauge will work? Any ideas would be appreciated.

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Matt-

2007 Four Winns H190
Earth First, We'll Mine the Other Planets Later

The temperature gauge on my Faria 4 in 1 unit is the only thing that works without oscillation!If your engine is raw water cooled ( i.e. no seperate heat exchanger), then it is the lake water which directly cools your engine, manifold etc. The thermostat determines how much "cold" water enters the block to mix with the water that's already in there. If the thermostat is stuck in the open position, then "cold" lake water will continuously pass through. 60 deg F water temp seems pretty warm to me, but that's only jealousy! If the thermostat is open all the time, I don't think 60 deg. F or a few degrees above would register on the gauge.

Graham

It's hard to imagine a stuck 'stat on a new boat, but anything's possible and that could explain it. I'm not sure what would happen if they accidentally installed the 'stat upside down.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

I guess I should swap the thermostat, as it is probably the cheapest spot to start? Only question now is....where is it?

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Matt-

2007 Four Winns H190
Earth First, We'll Mine the Other Planets Later

The thermostat is in a housing at the top of the engine, there will be a large diameter hose attached to the housing. From memory ( fading fast!) there are 2 or 3 bolts holding the housing to the engine, the thermostat is held in place by an "O" ring.

Graham