Tachometer Malfunction

amace85 · 06-20-11, 11:09 AM

The rpm gauge on my1995 Hydra-Sport LS 185 is messing with me. It will work half the time. One minute it will be working then it drops to zero, and sometimes it will bounce up and down. Any suggestions? thanks

cassidyta · 06-20-11, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amace85

The rpm gauge on my1995 Hydra-Sport LS 185 is messing with me. It will work half the time. One minute it will be working then it drops to zero, and sometimes it will bounce up and down. Any suggestions? thanks

If it is intermittant, I would almost guarantee it is a wiring issue. Something it bouncing loose. I would trace the wires and if you have any slplices, check the connections there and to the motor.

rangerryan · 06-20-11, 07:38 PM

I would sooner say that the rectifier/regulator is over heating. That is usually the case when a tach quits working.

rangerryan · 06-20-11, 07:54 PM

ok i just read a post further down that said you have a johnson on this boat. Im almost sure its the rectifier/regulator I have a Johnson that had the same problem 3 times. The motor block had to be drilled and tapped to relieve air that was being trapped in the top of the block thus, not allowing water to circulate around the regulator. (the regulator is in a black plastic box on the top of the motor in the back half way under the fly wheel. you can take two bolts loose on the box to look at the regulator. when you take the lid off the box make sure to pay attention to how the wires are laying so you can lay them back down and get the lid back on. when mine over heated i could see the regulator had black burn spots in the clear epoxy that is sealing the electrical components inside.

amace85 · 06-21-11, 09:27 AM

Thank you guys for the information and help. I will check these things out. Hopefully it would just be a loose connection rather than something more serious sounding like the regulator. And by the sound of that are you meaning that the engine is overheating and causing this? Again, thanks for the replies.

lilmule · 06-21-11, 01:01 PM

More like the regulator has seen its day overheating than the engine,they arnt cheap,hopefully its a loose connection.

amace85 · 06-22-11, 07:15 AM

Thats no joke. Just looked them up and they run around $200. Prayin its a loose connection.

Embrey · 06-22-11, 02:52 PM

when mine started doing that, the voltage regulator was going bad. started showing voltage spikes up to 19 volts

lilmule · 06-22-11, 03:04 PM

Well they can be had for less but taking a chance,they must be same amp rating like a 35 amp must be replaced with a 35 amp same with any other like a 20 amp,can be had off ebay used for 1/4 at times.Sometimes new old stock but not exactly under warranty.
If im recalling correctly there are two gray leads,one sometimes fails and the other is still good.

MississippiBoy · 06-22-11, 06:40 PM

On the back of the tach, there might be a little knob. Make a note of where this knob is positioned, and turn it back and forth all the way several times, maybe 10 times. Return it to its original position. Sometimes the connection gets messed up, and running it back and forth might fix it.

bamabassman · 06-22-11, 10:46 PM

ssippiboy.........does ssippiGAL know oyu're here? and where is my pic of the DUCK?!?

06-20-11, 11:09 AM	#1
amace85 BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Missouri Posts: 17	Tachometer Malfunction The rpm gauge on my1995 Hydra-Sport LS 185 is messing with me. It will work half the time. One minute it will be working then it drops to zero, and sometimes it will bounce up and down. Any suggestions? thanks

06-22-11, 06:40 PM	#10
MississippiBoy BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: May 2007 Location: Ridgeland MS Posts: 3,923	On the back of the tach, there might be a little knob. Make a note of where this knob is positioned, and turn it back and forth all the way several times, maybe 10 times. Return it to its original position. Sometimes the connection gets messed up, and running it back and forth might fix it. __________________ I smell smoke, and I hear sirens. Do you think that's a problem?

06-22-11, 10:46 PM	#11
bamabassman BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: cedar bluff, alabama Posts: 15,292	ssippiboy.........does ssippiGAL know oyu're here? and where is my pic of the DUCK?!? __________________ so many lures, so little time.

06-20-11, 07:38 PM	#3
rangerryan BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ponca City, ok Posts: 432	I would sooner say that the rectifier/regulator is over heating. That is usually the case when a tach quits working.

06-20-11, 07:54 PM	#4
rangerryan BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ponca City, ok Posts: 432	ok i just read a post further down that said you have a johnson on this boat. Im almost sure its the rectifier/regulator I have a Johnson that had the same problem 3 times. The motor block had to be drilled and tapped to relieve air that was being trapped in the top of the block thus, not allowing water to circulate around the regulator. (the regulator is in a black plastic box on the top of the motor in the back half way under the fly wheel. you can take two bolts loose on the box to look at the regulator. when you take the lid off the box make sure to pay attention to how the wires are laying so you can lay them back down and get the lid back on. when mine over heated i could see the regulator had black burn spots in the clear epoxy that is sealing the electrical components inside.

06-21-11, 09:27 AM	#5
amace85 BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Missouri Posts: 17	Thank you guys for the information and help. I will check these things out. Hopefully it would just be a loose connection rather than something more serious sounding like the regulator. And by the sound of that are you meaning that the engine is overheating and causing this? Again, thanks for the replies.

06-21-11, 01:01 PM	#6
lilmule BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Buchanan,Tn Posts: 2,685	More like the regulator has seen its day overheating than the engine,they arnt cheap,hopefully its a loose connection.

06-22-11, 07:15 AM	#7
amace85 BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Missouri Posts: 17	Thats no joke. Just looked them up and they run around $200. Prayin its a loose connection.

06-22-11, 02:52 PM	#8
Embrey BassFishin.Com Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 505	when mine started doing that, the voltage regulator was going bad. started showing voltage spikes up to 19 volts

06-22-11, 03:04 PM	#9
lilmule BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Buchanan,Tn Posts: 2,685	Well they can be had for less but taking a chance,they must be same amp rating like a 35 amp must be replaced with a 35 amp same with any other like a 20 amp,can be had off ebay used for 1/4 at times.Sometimes new old stock but not exactly under warranty. If im recalling correctly there are two gray leads,one sometimes fails and the other is still good.

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