Dead Gauges - 2001 S22

[DanaB]

Hello all,

I'm on my second Epic, first was a 99 E22, new one is a 2001 S22, and all of the instruments on the dash are dead.  I've searched high and low on the forum for answers, but most are more about the MDC on older boats, and I can't find anything on the MMDC for the 2001 Millenium Dash.  Boat runs great, stereo works, all the switches work (blower, bilge, etc), but none of the gauges show any kind of life.  Quad gauge dead, speedo dead, tach dead, information center dead. I went through the MDC troubleshooting guide, but the connections are all different so it doesn't really apply.  With a voltmeter I tested orange/red and black wires, and white with black wires, and got absolutely no readings.  I have disconnected the battery and reconnected, no dice.  Part of me thinks the MMDC might be toast, but a larger part of me thinks its just not getting any power at all.  I have traced the wiring back as far as I can and haven't been able to get a voltage reading on anything above 0.  Does anybody have any suggestions?  Or can anybody point me to a post with a similar issue (I couldn't find one). 

Any help is greatly GREATLY appreciated.

Sincerely,

Dana

[Wet-N-Frugal]

Dana,

The MMDC info is provided the Digital Instrument Guide (found in the Maintenance Library)
http://www.epicmarine.com/docs/Digital_Instrument_Guide.pdf

With the battery disconnected, confirm there are healthy power voltages in.
Pull the 'larger' 24 pin connector...  These are where the MMDC power and 'sense' signals enter.
On the loose connector, locate:
pin 12  Battery+  (RED)
pin 24  Battery-   (BLK)
pin 11  Ignition    (VLT)

Connect the battery (engine not running),  the voltage between Bat+ and Bat- should exceed  11.8VDC. The voltage between IGN and Bat- should be zero.

Turn the key ON.  The voltage Bat+ to Bat- should still exceed 11.8Vdc, and the same for the voltage between IGN and Bat-.

If not, isolate the sour source ( bad battery/wire/connection), until you do.
If so, disconnect battery and re-insert 24pin connector.

Disconnect connector at Tach gauge.  On the loose connector, locate 7V signal (RD/WT on pin D), and Common (BK/GY on pin C).
Engage Battery and Key switch in ON.  The voltage between  7V and Common should be about  7Vdc +/- .25Vdc

If so,  should see other gauges alive.
If not,  Kill power and pull/reseat small 10-pin connector on MMDC (for the output signals). Apply power again... and if you still see nothing come to life, then highly suspect a dead MMDC.

WNF

[DanaB]

WNF,

Thank you for the wonderful advice!  I went through step by step and found so many blown fuses, that's why nothing at all was getting power in the gauges.  I ended up having 2 connections that were moldy and gunked up that I thoroughly cleaned with electrical cleaner.  That helped me get power up through the last connector, but I still wasn't getting power to the 24 pin connector.  I then opened up the yellow push together fuses and although they were in tact, the voltages on them were very low.  A trip to radio shack to grab new fuses and everything came to life! 

I had purchased an MMDC and driven to Beaver Dam to pick it up, but ended up not needing it.  Hopefully I'll be able to return it because $565 is quite expensive for an ugly paper weight! 

Now that the electrical appears to be working its time to re-plumb the ballast (i'm very doubtful the bags will hold water), replace the cd player (only lets you scroll through radio backwards and no volume adjustment), find some replacement brackets for the walk through door and windshield latches, fix the glove compartment latch, etc. etc.  Gonna be a busy weekend!

Thank you again!

-Dana