Rookie Mistake.... Electronics not working now

[aewood21]

Bought my first boat today (89 Spectrum fish and ski, Evinrude 115 outboard). Everything was working when we took it our for test run. My first launch I forgot the drain plug. We were still hanging at the dock by the ramp so I pulled back on trailer but water was in the batter compartment and completely covering the battery. I let it all drain and relaunched. Ran it for a nice little ride with my family for about 40 minutes. Gas gauge didn't work at all. Second to that the fish finder were readings were really screwy. It was showing 2 foot depth when I was in the middle of the lake and I know that's not anywhere near accurate. Speedometer is the only other gauge and it seemed to be working fine. What can I do to get gas gauge and fish finder working. Most importantly I guess - is there anything else I need to be concerned about (i.e. water in gas tank???)

--Aaron (excited first time boat owner, but feeling like a real idiot after my first launch)

 

[Boatist]

Re: Rookie Mistake.... Electronics not working now

If the battery is still 12.6 volts and the alternator is putting out 13.8 volts or more then your probably ok.
Make sure your battery connections are clean dry and tight.
Check the ground and the positive wire connections on both ends.

Gas guages often stick when the tank is low on fuel. Try taping on it. The sending unit is inside the gas tank and no water should have gotten in there. The wires to the guage connect on top of the tank so you can remove your inspection plate and make sure they are clean and tight. I would bet that the guage is stuck or it was not working before boat got wet.

Depth finder would be above any water that got in. Most of the connections are very near the unit so I dout that is the problem.
Did the transducer hit something when you were trying to get it back on the trailer? Is the transducer still pointed straight down?

Without knowing the type depthfinder I would suggest checking the transducer and make sure it is pointed straight down. You can follow the wire back to the unit and see if there are any connections that would have been under the water. If so make sure their clean and dryand tight. Depth Finders and how well they work depend on many factors. Are you sure it was working before?
If the boat is making air bubbles under the transducer then it could read as you suggest it is. This is most common when the transducer kicked up or is at the wrong angle.
It can also be caused by setting on the unit. The sensitivy set too high or too low can cause it. Try setting it to auto mode.
When in the water and not moving is it still wrong?
Some units will give false reading in very shallow water.
If it is only wrong when on plane then is probably something to do with the transducer postion or angle. If it is too high or at the wrong angle it can create it's own air bubbles and cause your problem.

Good Luck and come back and tell us what it was.

By the way was this in salt water.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Rookie Mistake.... Electronics not working now

There is a gazillion posts on troubleshooting the fuel gauge system. Use the "search feature" using the term FUEL GAUGE PROBLEM. Diagrams are included. There is also a generic wiring diagram at the very top of this page in the "stickies"

 

[aewood21]

Re: Rookie Mistake.... Electronics not working now

Thanks to both of you.
I put the ear muffs on it was running fine this morning so that's good. I checked the wires for the fuel gauge (wouldn't have even know where those were without this forum) and the wire was loose. Pushed in and tightened and boom, the gauge flipped up to 3/4 tank. Thanks so much for that. As for the fishfinder... the transducer looks to be pointed the right way. It wasn't giving me depths at all while moving. Then anytime I was stopped it was saying 2 or 3 feet. Will update on that when I hit the water later today (hopefully) or at least tomorrow. Oh --- and I'm in TN so it was freshwater.