Drive Temp, Check Engine warning light

[rick]

Yesterday, while running my Epic 21 at moderate speed, I notice two lights illuminating red in the center of the dash.  The one on the left was "Drive Temp" and on the right was "Check Engine".  All of the other gages looked normal.  The boat seemed to operate as normal.  Any clues as to what the problem is?  Thanks for any help.

Rick

[sailtl]

what year is your Epic 21?

[Capt Rick]

The epic marine warning is a standard for vdrive and dd. If the warning light stays on then the engine computer has recorded a default code. Does the engine run at 1200 rpm.

[Ktown]

This may seem like a "stupid" question, but are you sure the lights were illuminated?  On a sunny day, these lights appear to be illuminated, but are just reflecting the light.  I have had more than one driver stop my run to tell me the lights were illuminated.  When I notice them, I just cover them with my hand and peek (with my fingers crossed) under my hand to see if they are actually illuminated. 

[skiboarder]

I do that all the time. but I just recently started to have a problem when you first turn the key. When you turn the key to start the boat,  the gauges reset and make noice. Well when I had it out last it was taking a long time for it to do that and it wouldn't start till it did. Has anyone had this happen to them.

[sailtl]

I have had lots of gauge issues but never as you describe. I have never had a no start condition waiting for gauges to reset.

[rick]

It is a 2000 model, Epic 21.

Rick

[rick]

At 1200 rpm, do you mean at the minimum forward speed?  I will need to check that out. 

Rick

[rick]

Regarding the light and the reflection of the sun;  it was a bright day, but when I shaded the dash I still saw them illuminating.  I will check again.

Rick

[Ktown]

skiboarder,

That sounds like a weak battery.  Is it the original?  You may want to have it tested.  I noticed my gauges lagging when my previous battery was weak and not taking a charge properly. 

[skiboarder]

 Thanks k town thats a good idea I will check it today, the battery was in the boat when I bought it so I dont know how old it is. Was there anything els that was happening when you had a bad battery or was the gauges it. Was the motor running weird or anything.

[Ktown]

No, I never ran it when the battery was weak...I noticed the weak battery when I was cleaning my boat after the winter.  The gauges were all slow and I had some wierd lights that wouldn't extinguish on the panel (started blinking once).  I changed the battery and now everything is great

[rick]

Ktown,

I think you may be right.  I looked at it again today.  I shut off the battery then turned it back on.  I started the engine and could see the faint illumination.  I cupped my hands around the gauges and could not see the illumination.  I shut the engine off and then the battery and could still see the faint illumination.  I don't think you could see anything with the power off if it was illuminated.  Do you?

[Ktown]

I agree, you can't get those lights without power.  Hopefully that's all it was.