Tachometer and Voltmeter Readings Flicker to Zero

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Author Topic:   Tachometer and Voltmeter Readings Flicker to Zero

Pfinally posted 05-17-2010 11:13 AM ET (US)
On my 2004 Montauk with Mercury 60-HP FOURSTOKE, the [voltmeter] and [tachometer] gauges flicker between normal readings and zero. The problem disappears upon turning the engine off and on, only to return after a while. What is possible root cause? What is probability that the problem is serious as opposed to simply [due to a] bad gauge? Do I need to fix immediately?
jimh posted 05-17-2010 08:38 PM ET (US)
I assume that when the voltmeter goes to zero and the tachometer goes to zero that the Mercury FOURSTROKE engine continues to run normally. If that is so, then the problem appears to be only a problem with the voltage fed to the gauges, not a problem in the vessel power distribution or in the engine.
The only correlation between the voltmeter and the tachometer is most likely they are powered by the same circuit. Look for an intermittent connection in the +12-volt power to the tachometer and voltmeter, and also in the negative circuit which is common to them, too. Typically these gauges will be fed from a branch circuit that originates in the ignition key switch.
ScottS posted 05-21-2010 06:59 AM ET (US)
I have a 2004 Mercury 60-HP FOURSTOKE on a 150 Sport. I only have a tachomoter, but it had a similar problem. Mine was due to the negative wire. Try temporarily connecting a wire directly from the battery to the gauges to see if the problem goes away.
ScottS

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Author	Topic: Tachometer and Voltmeter Readings Flicker to Zero
Pfinally	posted 05-17-2010 11:13 AM ET (US) On my 2004 Montauk with Mercury 60-HP FOURSTOKE, the [voltmeter] and [tachometer] gauges flicker between normal readings and zero. The problem disappears upon turning the engine off and on, only to return after a while. What is possible root cause? What is probability that the problem is serious as opposed to simply [due to a] bad gauge? Do I need to fix immediately?
jimh	posted 05-17-2010 08:38 PM ET (US) I assume that when the voltmeter goes to zero and the tachometer goes to zero that the Mercury FOURSTROKE engine continues to run normally. If that is so, then the problem appears to be only a problem with the voltage fed to the gauges, not a problem in the vessel power distribution or in the engine. The only correlation between the voltmeter and the tachometer is most likely they are powered by the same circuit. Look for an intermittent connection in the +12-volt power to the tachometer and voltmeter, and also in the negative circuit which is common to them, too. Typically these gauges will be fed from a branch circuit that originates in the ignition key switch.
ScottS	posted 05-21-2010 06:59 AM ET (US) I have a 2004 Mercury 60-HP FOURSTOKE on a 150 Sport. I only have a tachomoter, but it had a similar problem. Mine was due to the negative wire. Try temporarily connecting a wire directly from the battery to the gauges to see if the problem goes away. ScottS