Voltmeter Quit

[lwlittle]

My voltmeter just quit working on my 198. Is this likely a bad gauge or could it be a connection?
I haven't change anything at the console or the batteries in the last couple of months.

[sarmst100]

Could be the gauge. That was the first gauge on my dash to go out.

[Tx Champ]

Go to my post Champion Information and OEM Links for more Champ info and scroll down to Gauges the look for Volt Meter. Regardless of the brand of gauge, the principle is the same. You can do the basic test with a test light if you don't have a multimeter. Connect your meter or test light ground to a ground point other than the volt meter.

Check for voltage on the "I" post, probably a purple wire. If you have voltage there when you turn the switch on and have a good ground (black wire), then the gauge is shot. If you have voltage on the black wire at the gauge when the key is on, then your ground wire is open. If you don't have voltage on the purple wire, trace it back to the ign switch.

[lwlittle]

Tx Champ - thanks - very helpful

[lwlittle]

Put a meter on the wires and it registerd 14+ V - it is defientely the meter

[lwlittle]

Determined that it is the guage - how hard is it to replace? Took a brief look at the underneath side - is there a threaded ring or something you have to remove.

[Derwood]

I swapped out the water pressure gauge and it's a peice of cake if you can get in there okay. A little cramped in there but a relatively simple job

Good luck!

[ChampioNman]

Need a 11/32" socket to remove the two nuts that hold the backing clamp on the gauge then you should have enough slack in the wires to pull the gauge. Once out hook up the wires and hook the backing clamp back up.

[lwlittle]

Thanks - now if if can find the white gauge. Any clue how expensive they are?

[ChampioNman]

Try http://www.greatlakesskipper.com

[Tx Champ]

Depends on the brand model and source. My 07 has Faria, yours may as well or could be a Teleflex or V3. Once you get it out, post the part number.

Fred's recommendation looks to have some good prices if they have your gauge.

[ChampioNman]

I think Faria has a life time warranty but you have to wait it out for them to repair/replace it and ship it back to you.

[lwlittle]

My gauges are Faria's but surprisingly the voltmeter started working again this w/e - go figure.

[ChampioNman]

Check your cranking battery connections. If they are wing nuts change them out to stainless steel hex nuts with ss lock washers or SS nylon insert hex nuts.

[lwlittle]

They are stainless nuts. I do wire thru a Perko switch so I am going to recheck it. (and yes the switch was on when I tested the voltmeter )