www.iFourWinns.com

I've got a common problem with the instrument cluster. I get a false oil pressure alarm (audible and gauge) at running temperature and idle rpm. I've had it a Volvo Penta shop. The cluster was sent to a shop in Birmingham (recommended by Four Winns) and they added a ground wire. It's a little better but it I'm still getting the alarm. I've ran a mechanical gauge off of both sending units and my pressure is good. Both sending units have also been replaced (twice each). Does anybody have any tricks for this nuisance?

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2001 FW Horizon 210 (grey/white)
Volvo Penta GSI Duoprop

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1996 205 Sundowner DLX
5.0FL Volvo SX Cobra
Tow Veh: 2012 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X

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2005 H200

Haaa, great movie, and scene. But hey Winger, I'm just being the big toe for our new members...

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1996 205 Sundowner DLX
5.0FL Volvo SX Cobra
Tow Veh: 2012 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X

Heh. But save the Francis for the REAL whinging. Too soon to bring out that big of a gun!

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

When you say they added a ground wire... from where and to where? What about temporarily running both the positive and negative wires straight from the battery? Might as well be sure it's not still the cluster having the problem.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

Sounds like the dreaded VDO cluster issue. Adding the ground wire was one of two options FW suggested back then. I think the other option was to have the cluster rebuilt? Here is a thread dealing with the VDO issue:
http://www.smwebhead.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=9178
And a fellow with the same alarm issue:
http://www.smwebhead.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=10464&hilit=oil+pressure+alarm
While neither thread details exactly how to fix the problem, they do have some links and general advice on it. Hope it helps. Welcome to the forum!

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1996 205 Sundowner DLX
5.0FL Volvo SX Cobra
Tow Veh: 2012 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X

Thank you. You are right. I'm dealing with the VDO cluster. Your information was very helpful. My speedo doesn't work either. I think I'll build my own instrument cluster next winter.

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2001 FW Horizon 210 (grey/white)
Volvo Penta GSI Duoprop

You say the cluster was sent to someone in Birmingham who added a ground? To what was that grounded when it got back in the boat? I had the same troubles with my VDO cluster on my 2001, and even though there are 2 separate oil pressure senders, 2 separate alarms and I installed a mechanical gauge confirming that the oil pressure was, in fact, OK, every time that dash needle jumped around, lit the trouble light and sounded the dash alarm, it ruined my day on the water.

But back to the ground question; during my research into this, I found a Technical Service Bulletin from VDO that recommended adding a new 16g ground wire from the dash directly to the grounding point on the engine. Since adding that ground to my cluster 2 seasons ago, I haven't had any problems. A few dollars of 16g wire and a fish-tape to pull the wire through the conduit might be all you need.

Good luck.