All gauges went out. What to look for?

rkilpa

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Oct 16, 2009
Messages
86
2011 Ebbtide 2200 SS SC FS
5.0L V8 w/206 hours
Used about 6 times/year with about 3 hours engine run time per use

After a day on the lake with no issues, I started the boat at night to head home. I turned on my navigation lights and anchor light and they came on as expected, but the gauges did not illuminate like they normally do when using the same switch. I adjusted the rheostat thinking it was turned down, but it was all the way up and still no lights. When I shined my flashlight on the instruments to see them, I realized it wasn't just the illumination. All of the gauges were inop. The voltmeter was pegged to 0, the fuel gauge was pegged to full. The speedometer and tachometer were at 0 while running and the temperature, oil and trim gauges were all pegged to max. The digital hour meter on the tachometer still worked and could be seen when the navigation lights switch was turned off. All of the other switches on the panel controlled their functions as they should. The boat ran like normal and I was able to get back to the dock without any problems, other than running blind.

I recently replaced my two 12V starter batteries with Deka 1000 CCA Marine Master because my 7 year old Interstate batteries would not charge. I replaced one on the last outing, and I only ran with the battery switch selected to the good battery on that day with no issues. I replaced the other one on this outing, and I ran with both batteries switched on with no issues during the day. Everything worked all day including the gauges, so I don't think it can be the battery connections, as they are all verified tight. I mention this information as it is the only change made before the gauge issue arose, and this is the first time running at night since the batteries were replaced.

The only other situation that is not normal is my oil pressure gauge has been reading higher than it has in the past. Normally it would read about 60psi on plane. Now it has been reading just under 60psi at idle and goes to 75psi on plane at 3500RPM. The oil and filter was changed last year with OEM Mercury parts and has less than 10 hours use since changed. The oil level is spot on and the oil still looks and feels new. I noticed this issue on the first outing this year before the 1st battery was replaced, so I just assumed my 13 year old sending unit was needing to be replaced. Again, I mention this as it is another anomaly that has recently occured, and I want to share all the facts to help with a diagnosis.

The panel switches all have the button-type circuit breakers under the switches and they are all still recessed and not resettable. I would imagine that there should be a fuse panel somewhere, but I have not found it. The only place I imagine that it can be located would be behind the console. There is an access panel mounted with screws that is located inside the head that would allow access to what's behind the gauges and control panel. It was late at night when I finally garaged the boat, so I did not have a chance to remove the panel. Does anyone else have an Ebbtide boat that can confirm that this is where a fuse panel would be?

I don't have access to the boat as it is stored 200 miles from home, so I am hoping someone with a similar situation can point me in the right direction so I can fix the issue on the next outing.

Thank you for your help.

-Ron
 

alldodge

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Mar 8, 2009
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42,064
My guess is it lost the ground at the helm. If a fuse/breaker blew the motor would stop, but a ground can kill the gauges but the motor keeps running
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
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Jul 23, 2011
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49,574
dash gauges may have a separate fuse than the rest of the ignition. all the gauge power and grounds are daisy-chained together.

check for good voltage on the gauge power (should be purple)
check for good ground on the gauges (should be black)

loss of ground would have the gauges reading different. however the stock gauges in most boats are notoriously inaccurate and should only be used as a reference.
 

rkilpa

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Oct 16, 2009
Messages
86
Is it just coincidence then that my issue arose right after replacing my batteries? The power and ground wires for the gauges wouldn't be connected directly to the batteries, correct? I should definitely have a fuse block somewhere and not just breaker buttons, correct? My previous boat had a fuse block visable under the dash, but this one has the console enclosed. I am assuming that removing the panel in the head will reveal the fuse block behind the dash, but I didn't have a chance to look before I needed to leave.
 

alldodge

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It may not have a fuse block, may use only breakers, but then again may also have fuses. The thing is as a manufacturer can do what ever they want to
 

rkilpa

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Oct 16, 2009
Messages
86
Finally back at the boat. Pulled in late at night so I’ll start looking tomorrow morning for the issue. I turned on the ignition and the gauges worked, so I thought I got lucky. Turns out that they work until the navigation switch is turned on and then they go dead, but the nav lights turn on. I turn off the nav lights and the gauges work again. Am I correct in assuming the issue is probably the nav light switch? I’ll take apart the dash tomorrow to test the contacts, but I’m looking for some direction. Thanks.
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
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Jul 23, 2011
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49,574
your issue could be a half dozen common wiring issues. you wont know until you get there.

the purple wire from the ignition switch is the power.
the black wire from the ground buss is the ground.
the blue wire from the nav light switch is the lights
 

Chris1956

Supreme Mariner
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Mar 25, 2004
Messages
27,852
Still look for a bad ground. The gauges may be grounding thru the nav lights circuit, and when you apply power, the ground is lost.
 

rkilpa

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Oct 16, 2009
Messages
86
Solved!

It was a bad ground at the battery. The DTS power harness ground wire was not attached the negative post of the battery I replaced two outings ago. Turns out there were 6 leads going to the post and not just 5. Funny how the issue wasn’t apparent until a night run.

Thankfully it was something simple, and of course it was of my own doing.

Thank you for the input.
 
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