guages are dead

[duggs]

hi guys, just bought a 2000 calabria wake air with 350 mag mercruiser engine. it starts and runs fine but the guages are dead. the only thing working is the depth guage and the radio. i've pressed the reset button on the engine and all the fuse reset buttons on the dash, but nothing. I'm in Australia , so if I'm slow responding to any suggestions, our time zone difference will be the reason. any advise would be appreciated-thanks shane

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: guages are dead

Make sure you have power and ground to the gauges.

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Re: guages are dead

they are either not getting power or not getting ground. Best to use a multi meter and check for ground first using continuity (beeps when the test leads touch each other). test the ground from the gauges to (-) on battery should beep. (will need to use a long piece of wire to connect them)

Then test for power at the gauges switch to DC red lead to gauge power wire black lead to that good ground block or terminal. At least one of these two tests will show the problem.

 

[duggs]

Re: guages are dead

thanks for the replies. It's 11pm here, will test in the morning

 

[Don S]

Re: guages are dead

The problem is not at the engine, the engine circuit breaker only gives power to the ignition switch. Since you can start the engine, you know you have power to the switch.
From the ignition switch, power to the gauges comes off the "I" termianal of the ign. switch (Purple wire) and powers all the gauges.
There is also a ground wire to the wiring harness (NOT the ign. switch) that the gauges must be grounded to in order to complete the circuit.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: guages are dead

http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/13/13E4R2.PDF

 

[sethjon]

Re: guages are dead

hi guys, just bought a 2000 calabria wake air with 350 mag mercruiser engine. it starts and runs fine but the guages are dead. the only thing working is the depth guage and the radio. i've pressed the reset button on the engine and all the fuse reset buttons on the dash, but nothing. I'm in Australia , so if I'm slow responding to any suggestions, our time zone difference will be the reason. any advise would be appreciated-thanks shane

The easiest and most obvious would be a ground issue. Start from the dashboard and work backwards.

 

[duggs]

Re: guages are dead

well 4 of us had a go this morning. it appears that the clock (the only guage working) is the only one that has power going to it.all the guages have 4 wires going to them except for the clock that has an extra red, making 5 wires. pierceing the wires shows up that none have power. we are also considering that the guages are not original and may have never worked. one guy thinks that if the guages were original they would be branded calabria as most others are( tige mastercraft). next option is the auto electrician.

 

[Lyle29464]

Re: guages are dead

you have found the problem!

all you need to do now is run a keyed wire to the switchs where the dead wire is or follow the dead wire to its source and see if you have a bad conection or see why the source is dead. The clock does not go to a keyed source unless it is an hour meter.

 

[duggs]

Re: guages are dead

Looks like I might have the dreaded MDC controller(runs the guages) problem. I contacted Calabria boats and they told me it could be a fuse (god knows which one and where) or the controller. My next question to you guys is where can i get a 1600 controller from at the right price.

 

[wire2]

Re: guages are dead

Google "medallion mdc 1600", lots of hits.

These people may be a dealer;
http://www.bayareawatersports.com/

And here's an old "for sale, used" listing for an MDC 1600
http://www.mastercraft.com/market/showproduct.php?product=3177

Seems like water entering the controller from the pitot tube, then freezing in winter is a killer.

 

[duggs]

Re: guages are dead

not in my case, pulled it apart last nite to see what's inside,
all looks new. have contacted calibra boats, $340 plus 4 week wait. Have contacted Bay Area Watersports,they didn't know who made a "MDC 1600 Controller". I replied this morning (Medallion). Waiting to hear back from them.

 

[duggs]

Re: guages are dead

not in my case, pulled it apart last nite to see what's inside,
all looks new. have contacted calibra boats, $340 plus 4 week wait. Have contacted Bay Area Watersports,they didn't know who made a "MDC 1600 Controller". I replied this morning (Medallion). Waiting to hear back from them.

correction, it was Great Lakes Skipper that didn't know the manufacturer, haven't heard from Bay Area as yet