Smart Craft not correct

[headwaters]

I have a Puma,2005 Pro XS with SC1000 tack and speedo and has been working fine til now. The instant mpg is very slow to respond. When it does display a reading it is not accurate. At midrange speed it shows around .2 mpg and at idle around 36 mpg. This causes the average mpg to be inaccurate also. I check all connections under dash and one (at end of blue wire) at engine. All were clean, dry and tight. Last time I used the boat the gauge was OK and it was raining so I thought water might have got into one of the connections but that is not the problem. I don't have a clue what the problem may be. Any ideas?

[headwaters]

After I made the post I checked to see if SC would display the speed and it would not but it does show speed on the Lowrance. The steering wheel blocks the view of that part of the gauge and I didn't notice it before.

[EuropeanAM]

Two possibilites here:

-Missing or damaged TERMINATING RESISTOR in the data cable. You can take an "ohms reading" across the BLUE WIRE and WHITE WIRE in the data cable harness (KEY OFF, PLEASE). Should be approximately 60 ohms. If it's close to 120 ohms.... there's a failed resistor.

-Damaged gauge head (usually from voltage spikes or NEARBY LIGHTNING STRIKE).

[headwaters]

Thanks Don for your help I really do appreciate it. I checked the ohms and it is good, it had a reading of 59.8. I guess that narrowed it down to the head unit. If I send the unit to you can you check it. Approx how much does a new one cost?

[EuropeanAM]

Really need to know what "version" your units are before proceeding.....

Version number would be printed on the back, and/or displayed on the face of the unit when powering up.

New gauges are Version 4.0 or above (and are not to be "intermixed" with earlier versions).

The MercMonitor may be another option to consider....

[headwaters]

My SC version is 3.01. Looking like it might be kinda expensive to know my fuel mileage if I have to replace both tach & speed since the new version SC speedometer is not compatible with my older version tach. Can you let me know option's and prices.

Again Thanks, Lamar

[EuropeanAM]

Lamar:

I think your BEST option would be to look at the MercMonitor... and a System Link Tachometer or Speedometer.

Since you've already got a junction box, data cable and terminating resistor installed, you'd only need the gauges.

You've got an IM.

[skeeter77346]

Don,
I have a similar problem.
I have two SmartCraft gauges. The one with the 'fuel reset' has recently provided very inaccurate data, very low GPH fuel burn readings v. my history with this motor, (a 2007 250 ProXS serial # 1B462827, 167 hrs). The gauge also shows the fuel level to be zero when it is actually about half - tank holds 80 gallons. For the last three years this 'flowmeter' provided 'fuel used' that reconciled with actual gallons on the next fill up within a gallon.

Is there a 'global reset' that I can do? Or an easy way to test the gauge?

Unrelated, my key switch seems to stick on occasion as the motor at times will only fire/start when the key is released. the key switch looks to be a sealed module with a harness plug attachment.

Any advice for the Gremlins? Happy to replace the SmartCraft gauge and keyswitch if that is the fix.

Btw, I always run name brand fuel, Merc additives in every tank and on my third under cowling fuel filter.

Thanks, <u></u>

[TRCM]

On the fuel level, check ALL your connections. I recently have been having issues with my fuel level being way off, like reading empty or dang near when I could see the tank was 1/2 full. I cut off the old connections and remade new ones...all works great now.

[EuropeanAM]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by TRCM &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">On the fuel level, check ALL your connections. I recently have been having issues with my fuel level being way off, like reading empty or dang near when I could see the tank was 1/2 full. I cut off the old connections and remade new ones...all works great now.</td></tr></table>

+1

However, I would highly recommend that you START with a NEW IGNITION SWITCH. If there is already a KNOWN PROBLEM there, it's best to start with the "obvious", before looking for the "obscure".

You might also benefit from doing a "Master Reset" of the Smartcraft Instrument. Then unplug it completely overnight, reconnect, and go through the setup.

Proceedures to do the Master Reset vary, depending on exactly "which" Smartcraft Instrument you have.

[skeeter77346]

10-4. Changed the key switch and performed Master Reset on SC speedo gauge.
Now showing fuel level on that gauge and Tach gauge shows original capacity of 80 gal. So I will top off to see if the fuel level + new fuel added tally to 80 gal +/-. Now I need to run to see if GPH looks right based on past experience. Many thanks.

[skeeter77346]

The Mercury Marine key switch was the issue. All is well now. Thanks.

[EuropeanAM]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by skeeter77346 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">The Mercury Marine key switch was the issue. All is well now. Thanks.</td></tr></table>

Glad to hear you got it straightened out!