Bayliner Capri Gauge Cluster has zero power

[cringe]

2002 Bayliner Capri model 1950 BT
Mercruiser 4.3L Thunderbolt V w/Alpha 1 drive

I'm not a boat guy yet, trying to get there. I can sorta use a multimeter, the basics.

I bought the boat used. Gauges have never powered up for me. Not even sure if this cluster has backlighting (cause it's never worked for me). From google, I saw that the printed circuit board in this part goes bad so I shipped it to Chicago, they fixed it (replaced chips, not gauges), bench tested it, sent it back to me. I installed back in boat. There is a new MCIU protector inline before the gauge cluster pin connector. Same result, no power. I *assume* the gauges are OK at this point. Tilt switches work, except for horn which blows the blue 15A fuse. Boat starts and runs fine.

Do both the tilt switches and gauges all get their 12V power from the pin in the cannon pug? Pin number 6?
If yes, then surely I have a ground problem. How do I test for that? Run a wire from + on battery near gauges, check for 12V on pin 1?
If no, then is my problem back at the cannon plug? Or is there an inline fuse or fuse in the fuse panel that is blown? I tested fuses in fuse panel, they are OK except for the horn.

Gauges:


Gauge cluster part number is 1 911 220 934B



MCIU: Original boat wiring plugs into this new MCIU, new wiring goes from MCIU to gauge cluster connector.
The only special instruction is the extra long MICU Red/Yellow wire piggybacks to S pin on key switch, which I did.
I did all this with the battery disconnected.


Pins


What is the bottom right blue wire on my fuse panel? Why does horn also have a red wire? The brown/green wire goes to the physical horn.
Is the red/purple wire at 9 oclock from key switch B (battery)? Seems to be. Not sure if any of this is relevant but trying to post info up front.


Horn


Thanks in advance.
Chris

 

[ab59]

hey , I'm no expert by any means but I do have a few thoughts. Get your grungies on and a good light and trace your wires down one at a time to find out where they go. If you bought all this stuff new that you should be asking the guys that you bought your harness from about problems you are having , surly they have a trouble shooting department . If you acn get your hands on a good wiring diarame for your year model boat it may help. Diagrams are nearly useless to me as I con not eem to understand all the professional jargon that they use but you might be able to pick out the grounds that your system requires.
Maybe some one here has the same year model and engine who can be better help to you . There may be a pro here that can help as well but I thought that I would at least give you my two cents anyway.
Keeppluggin and you will find the problem.

 

[Silvertip]

What is the red/yellow wire for. Wondering why any gauge would be wired to the "S" (starter solenoid) since that wire would be powered only when the key is in the start position.

 

[ab59]

you are kinda answering your own question. If the wire is for the starter solenoid then put it where it goes. the question of why is not really relevant if that is where the wire goes, rite ? At some point in time the actual reasoning may dawn on you but why over complicate things . Hook er up that way it says and you are good to go .
good luck , we are in the same boat in many ways as I am restoring my 1988 Starcraft ss20v from new engine to deck upholstery carpet etc.
Good luck and just focus on at the work at hand and leave the small stuff for later whilst sipping on a cold beer.

 

[crasybadger]

Chris,
I am having the same issue with my 2001 Bayliner 1950 bow rider, power to the 24 pin connector but not of gauges turn on or bells and whistles happen you you start it.
Where did you send it in Chicago and how much was it to have fixed and how long did it take?

Thanks in advance for any information you can pass on to me.

Chris

 

[GA_Boater]

Chris,
I am having the same issue with my 2001 Bayliner 1950 bow rider, power to the 24 pin connector but not of gauges turn on or bells and whistles happen you you start it.
Where did you send it in Chicago and how much was it to have fixed and how long did it take?

Thanks in advance for any information you can pass on to me.

Chris

Why did you flag this post? Start your own thread after reading the rules.

Closed.