Gauges... need help

[Orange]

Just bought a 1998 Speedster with the twin rotax engines... having a lot of fun on the lakes! Having a few issues with the gauges though.....

Gas gauge: not working at all. However the low oil light works, so I am assuming it's not a gauge issue. Sender? Any quick fixes?

Tachs: Working intermittently. Port engine tach usually works rights at the start. Starboard tach doesn't work, until it hits 5K and then it surges up. Later on Port side doesn't work until 5K, and starboard side works fine. Then they both work well, then both have issues. It's a whole mess with working and not working.... So, bad tachs?

Also, are there individual fuses for the gauges or one fuse for all gauges combined?

All help is appreciated! Thanks in advance!

 

[unclejay]

Gas gauge

do a search of this forum there is tons of info on the quickie gas gauge fix.

 

[kustomkarl]

Here is some info on the fuel guage, I would check the wiring on the tach problems. It sounds like a problem in the guage.


You need to check the Pink and Pink/Black wire coming out of the baffle tube in the gas tank. The sending unit works off resistance. Pull the plug apart at the tank, and use an ohm meter to check for resistance between the two pink wires. The resistance will be different depending on how much fuel is in the fuel tank. If you get no resistance, remove the clamps off the sender, and pull the sending unit out of the fuel tank. Check the magnets on the float in the sending unit. To get to the float out, pop the bottom off and look for the 4 magnets on the float. If they are missing use a strong magnet to get them out of the tank bottom. If they are dirty clean them and re-insert it back in the baffle tube and check the wires again to check for readings of resistance depending on where the float is in the baffle tube. Check the float to see if it “floats” in a cup of gas. Sometimes the float becomes saturated and won’t float in gas…but it will in water, so use gas to check it. If still no reading of resistance replace the sender. If you get readings, check continuity of wiring to gauge. At the baffle you could un plug the guage and using a jumper wire between the 2 wires in the plug on the guage side. Attach the lanyard to power up the gauges. If the guage goes to full the guage is good. If it still doesn’t respond, do a continuity test of the wires to the guage. If all wiring checks out ok, and the guage still doesn’t respond, the gauge is bad.

Do you have a seadoo shop manual? If not here’s an idea for you. You could join as a "premium member". As a premium member you can down load a authentic seadoo manual from the seadoo manual library. In the library is a variety of manuals for almost all years and models. You can view as many as you like on line as a PDF file, or download it and print it for your personal and private use. There are operator manuals and repair manuals for you to do your own repairs on your seadoo. The repair manuals have everything from troubleshooting, repair procedures to winterizing. It contains wire diagrams torque specs and pictures for disassemble and assemble instructions. In the spec sheets it tells everything needed to maintain oil changes, spark plug gaps, carburetor rebuilds and impeller wear ring tolerances. Click on the "Seadoo Manuals" link at the top of the page for more details. If you need any help or get in a jam, we are always here to answer your questions too. Premium members get priority when it comes to getting quick detailed answers.

Keep me posted on your progress.

Karl

 

[Orange]

Thanks for the current answers! I will check the wiring for the speedometer.

Any more help on the tachs? I see that the tach gauges are EXPENSIVE!

 

[unclejay]

Addition

For the 20 bucks it costs, I would order the fuel float kit from sc if you are going to take apart your fuel pickup tube (baffle) anyway. its a much better float and wil save you another take-apart in a year.

In fact I wouldnt even bother with the wires and all the tests. Replace the float, turn on the key and youll most likely get a fuel gauge reading right away and can put it away. If not, nothing lost, you can start the further tests.

 

[vilord]

Anybody have any luck with seadoosource *recently*? I emailed him about 4 or 5 different times requesting shipping/totals for some parts and never heard back... I could use one of those floats too!

-Jesse

 

[unclejay]

Yes

sc is a one-man operation and he gets hundreds of emails a day and rebuilds parts in his garage. he knows his stuff.

Just send him the money you will get your part fast. Estimate your own shipping. he doesnt have time for all that.

Im not trying to spam for him, its just what it is.

 

[vilord]

Cool that is good to hear, I figured he was just really busy, but didn't want to just make up numbers for the estimate

I'll do that though, over estimate a bit and hopefully it'll work out.

Does he still take paypal, or is there a better way to get him the money?