Another electrical problem

[nordicstallion]

Hi kids, My first problem is I don't understand electricity. I think the cause for most of the electrical problems I've had stems primarily from those completely worthless leaky lazeratte hatch covers. I've just finished replacing them. My problem reared its ugly head three months ago after I replaced cable steering with hydraulic. Went out fishing, steering was wonderful but had no depth sounder,voltage guage or motor tilt guage. Cleaned all battery connections & terminals, all wire connections in both lazerattes,circuit breaker connections,3 way switch connections,checked all the fuses I could find behind console. I got the sounder back but not the guages.the guage lights work but dont function. I need suggestions on where to look next. Vern

 

[thataway]

Often the electrical problems are with the ground--as well as the positive. The ground generally will be black wires. You need to check those connections as well. With the gauges not working, but the engine running means that the wiring harness is not completely shot. But I suspect that there may be some corrosion where the wiring harness hooks up to the engine, as well as the wires from the ignition switch behind the console. Look around for a large square or round plug for the engine connection. Take it apart and spray contact cleaner into the plug, work it back and forth, to work any corrosion out. It is difficult to get a brush or blade into the plug. I like to put a dab of corrosion block on the various connectors after I have cleaned them.

The gauge lights are on a different circuit as the actual readings of the voltmeter and engine tilt gauge etc.

 

[nordicstallion]

Thank you doc ,that gives me a new direction to search. Vern