Gauges not working. Bad ground???

[Michael Mirra]

My gauges for my starboard engine stopped working for a day at the end of last season. Stopped working on the way back from about a 20 mile trip. Started the engine the next day and they worked for the rest of the season. Put the boat in the water this year and not working again. Thinking maybe a bad ground. Anyone have an idea on how to start trouble shooting this?

 

[Pirate Lady]

Sorry Mike can’t help but I see no replies. Try posting same on Electrical thread.

 

[hottoddie]

19yo boat. Remove and clean as many connections as you can and use dialectric grease on the connections. Good chance you'll take care of the issue.

 

[Michael Mirra]

19yo boat. Remove and clean as many connections as you can and use dialectric grease on the connections. Good chance you'll take care of the issue.

Do you know where the grounds or bus bars are for the gauges are, or where to strart looking?

 

[Carpediem44DB]

You just need to poke around under the panel. There should be a ground buss with a bunch of black only wires screw to it and a larger black wire that tracks back to either the battery or another ground buss in the engine bay near the batteries. Depending on your panel configuration you may need to remove the instrument cluster to gain access. Just be gentle when moving things around so you don’t inadvertently loosen other wires making a bigger problem. Good luck
Carpe Diem