New Epic Owner - Not Happy with Seller

[Mandycornhusker]

Let me introduce my self as the buyer of Clint's S22 in Dallas.  We drove from Kansas to purchase the boat and I am not real happy with his last posting to his ad.  He stated that the computer NEVER worked properly however the consignment dealer had Clint on the phone and he assured him that it had previously worked.   

Needless to say I now have an Epic that does not have the Dash Gauge working.  Any suggestions from current owners?  We did a quick check for fuses, loose wires etc but were unable to come up with anything. 

Thanks in advance!

[TXHNTR]

none of the gauges work? only some work? The gauge clusters are notorious on these boats, but with a little simple wiring you can fix them right up... Give us some details and we can hopefully guide you in the right direction...

[BA2397]

Hey Mandycornhusker congrats on the new boat - the guys and gals on this site will help you get the wiring taken care of.  Where in KS do you live?  Where will you be boating?

[phenom_1819]

Mandycornhusker, you got such a screaming deal... I'd take a boat with several more issues than you are having and still feel like I got a screaming deal.  Wiring stuff and gauges not working should be a relatively easy fix.   Congrats on the new boat, and getting it for such a great price.  All used boats have kinks.  When you get them worked out, you will love your Toyota Epic.  Good luck. -Cal

[eagle1wi]

Needless to say I now have an Epic that does not have the Dash Gauge working. 
Thanks in advance!

You say "the Dash Gauge" - does that mean only one doesn't work? Which one is it?

A few things come to mind about the gauges and they are not Epic specific - from an old thread

Don't worry about the gauge problems, they are common with all boats using Keyser Medallion (borg warner) gauges. Malibu, MC, Supra use or have used KM gauges. Tell your dealer to clean the connectors on the MMDC gauge computer box. That will probably get rid of the gauge readings dropping out entirely, but an occasional flakey gauge is just normal with this instrumentation package. Nothing to worry about. The engine has it's own computer, no problems there. 

There is a thread around here and a PDF from Borg Warner regarding getting your Gauge computer some clean power direct from the battery.  One issue is the servos in the gauges get fried and you may have to replace them if that is the problem.  This is the about the only real issue I ever had with my boat and Toyota really had nothing to do with it.

[Mandycornhusker]

Thanks Everyone - Obviously I don't know a lot about this boat yet - but it is the gauge to the far right that is not working - We can not even get the power to come on - and like I said before - we checked the wires - and fuses.  There is power there - but it is just not turning on.  Can someone tell me what this gauge actually does?  I know it runs the cruise control but does it have other functions too?   Someone asked earlier - We are from Wichita.  Do most of our boating in Kansas (Like there are soooo many options here) but plan to take the boat down into Oklahoma this year as well. 

Thanks again!!!

[tenn162000]

I have an X22 without the propass - When I bought my boat, none of the gauges worked.  I Took an expensive gamble and replaced the MMDC - ordered it and installed it myself, and I guess it paid off.  I didn't have to pay a mechanic at an hourly rate to go through the boat and trace down the problem.   But the MMDC isn't cheap so its a toss up if you want to take a gamble and replace it without knowing if it bad or not.   You've got an S22 so I am not sure the differences in the setup with the dash and MMDC but I would imagine it would be the same.   

Also, you said you can't even get the power to come on but there is power there. So, you mean the boat won't turn over or just the gauge?  I am sure if your working at a boat shop they'll know to check the Kill Switch and make sure the boat isn't in gear - goes without saying I am sure.   But last year I had a "blond" moment when I tried to start the boat and freaked out cause I couldn't get it to even turnover.  After 15 mins of freaking out and checking every possible think I could think of - I took the boat out of "drive" and put it in neutral and it started right up.  ha-ha -

Anyways, good luck with the troubleshooting...   Best of luck and welcome to the  TOYOTA Epic Club.

[flyn2001]

Mandycornhusker,

I have an extra MMDC (digital gauge that goes in the far right spot).  I replaced it last year or so with a new one.  It works, or at least it did when I replaced it, but the screen has lines going through it.  Sort of like a printer that has started to run out of ink.  It may allow you to determine if yours is bad or if it is indeed something else.  You can have it for free, but no gaurantees as to how useful it will be to you.  If you are lucky, maybe it will work and you can get by w/ it until you want to drop the $$$ on a new one.  I will try to find it in my storage within the next week.  pm me with an address if you are interested.  By the way, that gauge displays things like engine performance/vitals, depth, water/air temps, and I think accuski?  Even my new display does the battery flashing thing when I am driving.  I know the battery is fine, I'm just not smart enough to do the "wire mod" to give it some more juice.  I wish I lived near one of these tech-smart Epic owners to show me how to do it!  Anyhow, let me know.  Flyn2001.

[lesman01]

If you don;t have the owner's manual, there is one in the maintenance section for an s22. It describes what functions the DDU has.

Do you get any power to the dash at all? You say yes, so the other two gauges work? dash lights come on, accessories work, etc. Does the boat run? It could be something as silly as the contrast on the display being turned way down or up. WHen the key is turned on, you would probably see it at least flicker on the gauge if that was the case.

[curtis]

Mandy... you have Epic friends in Topeka. We wish you Good Skiing with your new boat. There are two of us up here and have had an excellent time with my E-22 and a friends S-22. These Epic guys on the site are a class act. They will help a ton if you have any ?'s or concerns. Hope to catch up to you in Do-Da some time. Regards, Curtis

[Mandycornhusker]

Thanks to all that have posted back.  We are still working on the gauge but I am afraid that it is shot.  Have not had any good weather so the boat is still sitting in the drive way - got a real itch to get her on the water.  Flyn2001 - thanks for your offer - I will send ya a PM!!!

[TXHNTR]

you can always get an attachment that feeds water from your garden hose so you can run the boat on land to do a diagnosis, I built one from $10 worth of parts at Home Depot.  I hooked it to the inlet side of the sea strainer and it works great.  Im sure someone has a write up on how to do this here somewhere...

[flyn2001]

Mandy,

I still have the gauge.  I just pm'd you about it.  I will actually be in Wichita, Kansas this week Wed evening to Friday morn).  I can bring it along with me if you want to meet and pick it up....possibly Wed evening at Starbucks or something.  Are you military?  I pm'd you my #.  Let me know.  flyn2001