www.iFourWinns.com

I'm looking at replacing my stock gauges... Several of them are either reading wrong or only work intermittently. I'm wondering, especially with the muti-function gauge, are they universal in terms of connections? Some of the gauges I've seen have plugs on them, while others are just posts. I'd like to keep it looking like the stock gauges. I was looking at the Faria Kronos silvers, but the trim gauge says it's for a Honda motor. Can a beginner DIY this? Any suggestions?

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2007 Horizon 210
5.0 Mercruiser Carbureted/Alpha I

IMO, if several have failed on a boat that new, you may have a different problem, like grounding.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

They haven't failed entirely, and not all of them. The trim gauge is just a little off (doesn't go down quite all the way), the battery gauge shows about 11.5 when I'm at 13.5, and the speedometer sometimes just doesn't work.

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2007 Horizon 210
5.0 Mercruiser Carbureted/Alpha I

I just changed mine out on my 01 248 vista. Is it a diy, Yea probably but it's also a pain. My old gauges had all spade connectors and the new farias had a stud. Every wire had to be cut off and a new terminal crimped on. There are a lot of different sets of the faria gauges your looking at the wrong one probably if it says for Honda motor. Also on the old gauges there were 2 grounds one for light and one for gauge, new ones only use one ground. Good luck and it will take a little while to do. Make sure your get the right speedometer electric vs paddle wheel.

Rick

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2001 Four Winns Vista 248 by rick2752, on Flickr

This issue is more likely to be the sending unit than the gauge. There is a way to check the sending unit by measuring the resistance (ohms) of the sending unit at up and down positions. The correct resistance is available in some other forums here, or from the Faria website.

This could be the gauge, but to make sure I would check the voltage with a digital multimeter up behind gauge.

If this is a Pitot-Tube type speedometer, then it just takes the smallest piece of debris covering or plugging the hole in the Pitot for it not to work. Not likely to be the gauge itself.

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"Knot Easy" 2000 Horizon 240 Volvo 5.7GS /SX
tow: 2017 Honda PILOT EXL-AWD
prev. boats:
'87 Chaparral 198CXL 4.3 OMC Cobra
'69 Jetstar 16ft Ski Boat, 115hp Yamaha
'68 Aluminum Jon Boat, 3hp Sears
'64 Water Wings

I agree with rpengr.
Trim sending unit is actually adjustable as part of the limit switch if I remember right. If it is working at all, then it is not the gauge.
Volt gauge, check voltage with meter at the gauge. My guess is you have a voltage drop in the wiring from a bad connection or corrosion.
Speedo, if it works sometimes then it is not the gauge but debris causing the problem. Probably uses a pitot-tube and it is stopped up. Take some air and lightly (not full pressure) blow air back down from the speedo and verify you have good air flow coming out of the pitot-tube.

Gauges do go out but most often it is a pickup/other issue. I think replacing gauges would be a waist of money and time until you verify inputs.

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The Dance II
2007 278 Vista
6.2L Mercruiser

Thanks for the replies.

I tested voltage at the battery and alternator, but not at the gauge.

Where do I find the pilot tube for the speedometer?

I will also check the sending unit.

I appreciate everyone's input!

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2007 Horizon 210
5.0 Mercruiser Carbureted/Alpha I

There should be a tube attached to the back of your Speedometer gauge(if it's a pitot style). Pull that off and blow air back down the line to clear it. If you don't have a tube attached, then it's a different style of speedometer (paddlewheel, or GPS possibly).

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2002 Funship 214
VP 5.7 GX Si
2003 Tahoe

Thanks. Can you tell me how the gauges come out? Do I need to pull the whole panel off?

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2007 Horizon 210
5.0 Mercruiser Carbureted/Alpha I

Yes the whole panel comes off then each gauge has its own bracket. I'm not familiar with your boat, but on my duoprop on the right side of the outdrive facing the back of the boat. There is a sensor with two bolts in it that are slotted. Have someone at the helm watch the gauge and adjust the sensor until it reads down all the way.

Rick

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2001 Four Winns Vista 248 by rick2752, on Flickr

If troubleshooting leads you to defective gauges, there may be another option. My 2007 Vista 358 has experienced a few bad gauges (2 tachs and 2 multi-gauges - Fuel/Volts/Oil Press/Temp) over the last three years. If they're Faria gauges, you can call to get a repair order initiated. They rebuild any gauge (single or multi) and return with original face plates looking brand new for $50. I've had reliable operation of them.
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Takes all the guess work, fit, labeling, face plate matching, etc. out of the equation.
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www.faria-instruments.com

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Transcendence II
2007 Vista 358

I did the same with my speedometer.

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2002 Funship 214
VP 5.7 GX Si
2003 Tahoe

That's an awesome option! How can a determine if they are Faria gauges?

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2007 Horizon 210
5.0 Mercruiser Carbureted/Alpha I

My gauges have very fine print lettering on gauge face plate, almost under the bezel rim. You can also look on the gauge case for a label. I initially popped my chart plotter out and took a bunch of random pictures with my phone to catch a label. A mirror would work too.

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Transcendence II
2007 Vista 358

Thank you!

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2007 Horizon 210
5.0 Mercruiser Carbureted/Alpha I