Gauge failure

[LakeAnna]

Yesterday I had all of my gauges fail simultaneously. I checked the circuit breakers but all was good.  A few minutes later they came back on and worked fine. 

Today I was out and the gauges all went out, but about five minutes later they came back on, but one at a time.  Boat ran like a top as always.

Any had this problem?  Are all the gauges on the same power circuit?  Do the sensors (temp, pressure, fuel, volts, speed, and rpm) all go thru the computer before getting to the the gauges?

The only thing that I can think of is that I was riding bow up towing a heavy tube for a long time, and bilge was accumulating in the rear, unable to hit the pump, and that when I stopped it may have splashed the battery.  A long shot, but can't think of anything else.

Thanks,

Steve

[2000epic]

my battery went bad, so I jump started my boat for one trip.  for that trip my guages didn't work, but everything else did including perfect pass.  When I replaced the battery, all the guages came back online.

[cyclone]

See the Keyser Medallion installation guide for an outstanding explanation. The short answer is yes, all gauges go through the MMDC computer. It is not the engine computer, that is on the engine. It is either in the trunk or under the dash. Check all of the big white connectors under the dash, make sure they have good connections, and the big grey one on the MMDC.

[lesman01]

I occasionally have that problem as well. It's tough to diagnose. Last time I fiddled with the connectors under the dash it seemed to fix it. Does the digital display go dead as well? My digital display worked even when the needle gauges went out.

[sailtl]

Type in gauge in the search box of the forum and get ready to read alot. I have had this problem on my 1999 Epic 21. I unpugged and repluged all the connectors under the dash. Checked and cleaned the connectors at the deadman switch. I have removed and cleaned the connectors at the MDC (do not over tighten). I found that if I turned on the navigation lights I got all the gauges to work. This lead me to believe that I had a supply or ground problem. Went back and removed and cleaned connections on the ignition switch which did help. I have since rigged test wires to the power and ground at the MDC directly from the battery. I now have the tach, oil pressure, temp, fuel gauge working without having to have the navigation lights on. The volt meter is now intermittant. The speedos well I have given up on them. Maybe they will work and maybe they won't. I love my hand held GPS and Tach for pulling competion slalom skiiers, bare footers, air chair and boarders etc. I am sure that when somebody in the forum finds the magical cure to this isuue that all will benefit. I myself during the off season will go back to tried and true analog gauges with a GPS speedo and possible Perfect Pass. I have not priced MDC board a gauges associated with the dash but I bet they do not give them away. 628 hours on my boat and going strong except guage issue. 110 hours so far this season and still another month or month and 1/2 to go. It has been a good year for water sports in NW Ohio.

[LakeAnna]

Thanks, all. I guess I will buy a can of contact cleaner and go thru all the plugs.

While we are near the subject, does anyone know where I can get an OEM pitot for the speedo?  The brass venturi popped out of one and I would like to fix it when I take the boat down for the winter.

Thanks again,

Steve

PS: we are winding up our 7th season in the boat, and have had amazingly few problems with it.  Looking forward to at least 3 more.  Interior of the boat looks like new.

[skregs]

Just had the same exact problem  and someone suggested it could be that one of my batteries was low.  I decided to isolate each battery in turn and start the boat as a poor mans test.  In doing this the guages miraculously started working.  Makes me believe there is a loose connection in the battery isolator or a corroded connection.  Just an idea