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| Fuel sender/gauge problems https://www.smwebhead.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=13348 |
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| Author: | newbiechris [ Wed Aug 13, 2014 8:47 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Fuel sender/gauge problems |
Hi guys so I previously posted this problem and have had no luck. 1998 horizon RS/5.0gi/sx I bought the boat at the beginning of season and it has been and issue since The fuel gauge will work fine and all of a sudden will drop to empty and the fuel alarm will start beeping (vdo) it seems to happen Most of the time when I'm on the throttle and go away when I come to a steady float. This is not always the case sometimes it will start acting up right from start up but more often then not it will start once I give it some throttle and take off and continue untill I am stopped for at least a minute First thing I tried was a new fuel sending unit I switched to a reed switch it seemed to work for 5 minutes and start acting up again I then thought the old clips where loosing contact so I cut and spliced the wires together This also did not work This will not happen when boat is on the trailer at home everything seems to be fine, the odd time it will go off but very very rare When the gauge works it will rear and accurate fuel level And different fuel levels will not change anything. The alarm is very annoying and loud I have taped it up to drown it out but I can still hear it faintly Any help is appreciated Sorry for spelling mistakes. |
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| Author: | crossram [ Wed Aug 13, 2014 9:27 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Fuel sender/gauge problems |
try running a new ground straight to the battery. maybe you have a bad ground in the harness |
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| Author: | Craig-o [ Thu Aug 14, 2014 2:45 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Fuel sender/gauge problems |
Sorry to hear about your dash problem. As you probably already know, the problem is not in the sending unit, but in the VDO dash cluster. The only real solution is to replace the cluster with separate gauges. You might let lucky and find that an additional ground will solve the problem, but there's no gaurantee. I had a similar problem with the oil pressure on my 2001 with the VDO cluster. After replacing the sender twice, and ultimately using a mechanical gauge, I was able to determine that the problem was in the cluster. A new ground made the fuel gauge work more accurately (mine always read "full"), but didn't solve the intermittent no-oil pressure and subsequent alarm. You have four options, running least costly to most costly, and coincidentally least likely to most likely to provide a long-term fix: 1. Add a dedicated ground wire from the cluster to the engine block. Search the forum for detailed instructions. It should be a 16-gauge or larger wire. 2. Send the cluster to CDI Electronics (http://www.cdielectronics.com/dash-panel/), who will check the circuit board, make any necessary repairs and add an additional gnd. I think this service will run you ~$250. You will still need to run a wire to the engine to connect this ground. 3. Purchase a set of gauges, and make yourself a new dashboard; you'll exercise your fine carpentry skills and electrician skills for this option. Try to find a set that has an electronic speedo, compatible with the paddle-wheel speed sensor. If not, you'll need to purchase and connect a new pitot sender at the transom and run a tube to the dash. You'll need to check comaptability with the other senders, too. To get every gauge that was on my original VDO (Speed, Tach, Volts, Fuel, engine Temp, Oil Pressure, Trim, Depth, Seawater Temp) will run you $400+. You can save yourself about $175 if you can do without the depth and seawater temp gauge. You'll find 6-gauge sets from Faria (Chesapeake) for $170, but these don't have Trim ($30), Depth ($125) or Seawater Temp ($175, combo with depth); and they'll require you to remove the paddle-wheel speed sender, and instal the pitot kit ($15) for the speedo. 4. Call A&A Marine (231-723-8308) and talk to Dave. They can provide you with a new dash panel with new, separate gauges mounted in a direct-replacement dash panel for $525. This setup will match the wood grain (you need to talk with him as there were 2 different wood-grain materials used) on the rest of your dash, and will be wired to plug directly into the existing 24-pin wiring harness, compatible with all the existing senders. Good luck. |
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| Author: | kd4pbs [ Fri Aug 15, 2014 9:05 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Fuel sender/gauge problems |
If it were me, I'd first take the VDO cluster apart, clean any corrosion, and check for a cold solder joint. It sounds like that's exactly what the issue is here. Anyone have a spare one of these clusters they want to send my way to investigate the problem? I've had my fair share of instrument panel renovation; I had an '84 Corvette. Anyone that knows what that means KNOWS what that means 
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| Author: | jontmiller [ Fri Aug 15, 2014 5:54 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Fuel sender/gauge problems |
Ill send you mine in about 2 months  I tried the ground line thing and don't think I had it soldered well or in the right spot and it didn't help. the Tach is about the only thing that works reliably on mine |
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