Topic: Replacing Smartcraft gauges

Replacing Smartcraft gauges

I have a 2004 Optimax on my Cougar. The digital windows in my gauges are pretty near impossible to see now. Recently the gauges stopped working all together...no rpm’s and no speed indicated. I know the speed could be just trash in the intake and I go by the gps for speed anyway...just saying that both the tach and speedo have quit working. The boat was left at a shop for a week and was heavily rained on but boats are made to be in the weather, right? Haha!! I’m thinking about just buying new gauges and replacing them myself. I’m thinking it should be just a plug and play job, right? My question is, do you think this will solve my problem or do you think there is an issue with the wiring or a fuse on the engine? The gauges were working prior to the boat being left out in the weather. When I got it home I had a fan blowing on it for 3 days to try to dry everything. The information given in the digital windows is pretty vital info. I want to know the engine temp, water pressure and rpm’s for sure. I know there is a Merc Monitor that can be purchased that gives this information but I don’t want to just add another gauge to the dash.

This topic has 2 replies, 2 voices, and was last updated 6 years, 3 months ago by toledobasser.

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January 9, 2019 at 5:45 pm #466737

02JagCat
Participant

As far as the lenses go, there are a couple of vids on Youtube that show how to remove the plastic inner lens so you can see the gauges again. As for the other problem, I would simply start with checking power and ground to each gauge. Was something unplugged at the motor to make them quit?

January 9, 2019 at 6:02 pm #466738

toledobasser
Participant

Nothing that I know of was disconnected at the engine. It was in the shop for a new battery, yearly maintenance, and new trim seals. A couple of times throughout the day, I could see that the digital screens did come on but they went off shortly after. Same with the tach, it worked briefly but would stop working. I have seen videos like you are talking about.
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