SeaRay 510 / Fuel Gauge problem

[yoann]

Hi everybody,

I contact you to try to resolve a problem on our boat. We can’t find the solution for the moment. Hope one of you could help !!!:grin:

OUR BOAT is
Sea Ray 510 DA
Built in 2000

Engine = CAT C3196


the port fuel gauge instrument doesn’t work anymore. If we put the starboard instrument on port side everything is working…
if we put port instrument on starboard side fuel gauge not working…

We bought a new instrument with same reference… It's exactly the same....

If we put the new one on both side everything is working except fuel gauge… aaaaarrrrrrggggg !!!!

Question….

as the information reach the instrument something goes wrong at the instrument level...

Does the new instrument is working with old boat (built in 2000) ?

Do we have to calibrate ? If yes how do you do it cause caterpillar said us they can’t do it ?

Any other idea ???

Many thanks for your help

Enjoy

Yoann

 

[davismwfl]

If we put the new one on both side everything is working except fuel gauge…

Not quite sure what you mean by this statement. But if I assume it means that the new gauge installed on either side does not work, it would seem to be either the wrong gauge or a wiring issue.

To me that this is likely at least two issues. 1, the port fuel gauge has failed. 2, the wiring has a short or other likely issue. 3, it could be that the sender is having intermittent issues and may have failed or be failing.

In general, I'd start at the senders and make sure that they are identical and measure equally for the same fuel levels. Then I'd move to testing the wiring, checking for shorts, chaffing etc on the gauge wiring harness, especially for the port side. I've seen this when 1 or more wires has vibrated or rubbed against a screw or gauge stud. Then I'd check the gauge. My thinking is that a wiring issue damaged the port gauge because of a short, and that the starboard gauge might work when moved over when the short is not seen, but if you left it there for anytime it would fail. The new gauge is either defective, or more likely the wrong resistance range.

Good luck.

 

[fwebster]

This is very likely a loose ground wire on top of the port tank. First tighten all the wire connections on the tank.

Then eliminate the fuel senders as the problem by connecting a jumper wire from the ground to the sender wire on top of the tank. If the gauge reads full or more then full, the sender is good......if it reads less than full or empty, replace the sender.

The next most logical place is the terminal blocks behind the gauge panel. Take them apart and reseat each pin and check the wires in the terminal block to be sure they are making contact. There are multiple terminal blocks, not just one, but at least 3 with terminal blocks on each end (gauges to panel harness, panel harness to bulkhead, bulkhead to bilge harness). You may have to follow the wiring all the way to the fuel tanks to check all the terminal blocks, so be patient.

Good luck with it..........

 

[yoann]

why I don't understand is why it's working when we put the other side instrument on the no working side... That mean that the signal is ok...
We changed twice the new instrument and it's not working...

 

[efizjb]

It is a CAN buss system. The port gauge will only read port, and the stbd gauge will only read stb, no matter what side you plug it into. When you swap to the other side it is reading the sender from that side. Meaning the port specific gauge will only read port data, on either port or stbd gauge plug. With that being said, you have either a bad sender, wiring for that sender, or the gauge "computer" that converts the analog data to digital has failed. There is a black box in the engine compartment that converts this data, they typically have a white sticker that says Kysor Medallion, Borg Warner or MMDC on it. Chances are it is sender or wiring related. Both gauges you tested probably were fine.

 

[katricol]

You got two great responses Yoann, from Frank and efizjb. That's what makes this sire great.

 

[yoann]

Thanks for your help... I will try to check all that point. Many thanks

Yoann

 

[mistercomputerman]

Who the heck is efizjb with 54 posts in 8 years?

 

[efizjb]

Just somebody with experience working on Sea Rays who usually is working, not on forums, took a minute to surf and saw something I could help with. That's all.

 

[mistercomputerman]

Just curious since your profile says:


No boat
Work in boating related field
No need to give profile, Gary already ratted me out

 

[Converse48]

Just somebody with experience working on Sea Rays who usually is working, not on forums, took a minute to surf and saw something I could help with. That's all.

The mystery deepens...
Cue ominous music.

 

[efizjb]

Just curious since your profile says:


No boat
Work in boating related field
No need to give profile, Gary already ratted me out

All of which are true

 

[carterchapman]

So how did Gary "rat you out"? Curious minds and all that...