2001 Chaparral guage cluster sparatic

[vipertblck]

Chaparral 180SSE with a sparatic guage cluster. Gauges are sometimes ok and seem to read normal, then sometimes they're full high or full low(one way or the other). if I tap the cluster they seem to come back a little bit, but they just don't seem to stay steady. one situation was when I trimmed up or down, the gauges moved when I had the button pressed, like an excessive draw or something. any idea where to start?

 

[NYBo]

It's most likely a loose or corroded negative battery ("ground") connection to the gauges.

 

[vipertblck]

By any chance know where the ground for the cluster gauges is located?

 

[kjsAZ]

there are multiple connections for the "ground". One is at the battery, then one at the engine block and most likely a ground bar somewhere in the helm. They are all suspects.....

Disconnect, clean, install again with dielectric grease. Also inspect the wires on the backside of the crimp connectors/lugs as they also tend to rot away over time. Most boats don't come from the factory with shrink tube insulated connectors...

Now, if you are not the first owner of this boat be prepared for butchered electrics! I have seen everything from just twisted together wires with some electrical tape to wire nuts in older boats.

 

[vipertblck]

Boat just had new engine installed (problem was present before new engine was installed) so all grounds on back of engine(where the "bell-housing" bolts are, have been taken off and re installed, as well as the ground directly on the battery. I'll have to crawl underneath the thing and see if there's a ground block or something on the driver side underneath the gauge cluster.