Faria RPM Gauge does not "zero"

***MariahMan*** · 07-19-2007, 04:11 AM

On my 2001 252 Shabah, the Faria RPM guage does not return to zero when i shut the boat off. Instead, the gauge simply remains at idle, approximately 600 RPM's or so. I've never tried running the boat at a higher rpm then killing it to see what the guage does as i would imagine this can't be good for the motor.

The dealer i bought the boat from, Ski-Master's in Kenmore, told me that it is normal for the gauge to remain at the last rpm before the engine was shut off. These guys screwed up a lot of things and were total morons so i stopped going to them and have since found a new service center for my boat. As a result, i'm wondering how accurate their statement that "it's normal" really is.

Any ideas? Anyone else's RPM gauge do this? It's not really a problem, just an oddity i was curious about.

***moondance100*** · 07-19-2007, 11:02 AM

Ryan, I don't think thats unusual; actually, I think my 95 does that. Is it something that just started? What does it do when you switch on the ignition?

Have you tried getting the engine to 0 rpms before you turn it off?

***ShabahZ280*** · 07-19-2007, 11:49 AM

I had a similar problem with my gauge also. Here's a test you can do to see if it's a connection issue. When the boat's running, kind of knock the front of the gauge with your knuckle. If the tach jumps and reads another level, then here's what to do.

They made these gauges universal for 4,6,& 8 cylinder engines. On the back of the gauge where the wiring hookup is, there's a small switch for each engine setting. You'll need a small flathead screwdriver. Insert into the switch and cycle through the different settings a few times. What happens is after a while, the contacts become dirty, and by cycling through the different settings, it "cleans" the contacts a bit.

After I did this, I haven't had any problems with it. If this doesn't help, you might try dropping Faria a line, they're actually really helpful.

***indykoch*** · 07-19-2007, 02:05 PM

I had an issue where it wasn't reading accurately, Wierd Walt (on the TB forum) told me to do this exact fix as well - worked like a charm.

If it doesn't work, Faria gauges have a lifetime warranty. Problem is, I don't know what they could do about the gold/brass surrounding and "Mariah" emblem.

***180diablo*** · 07-19-2007, 02:16 PM

When I referenced some older pics of my boat in storage last year, it shows my rpm gauge to be sitting around 100-200rpm. Don't recall if it still sits in that same location recently. I will have to take another look at it next week. I do know my trim gauge jumps all the way up to the top when the key is shut off, but as soon as the key is put into "run" position it returns to correct trim location.

***ShabahZ280*** · 07-19-2007, 04:45 PM

Faria's "Euro Gold" series is a very close match if you'd have to replace it, the numbers are a little more bold than the original though. Here's what their speedo looks like. (couldn't find a small tach image)

You might try to give them a call and see if they might possibly have some of the OEM gauges for the Mariahs? Who knows what they've got lurking in dusty corners of the warehouse!

***MariahMan*** · 07-19-2007, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moondance100

Ryan, I don't think thats unusual; actually, I think my 95 does that. Is it something that just started? What does it do when you switch on the ignition?

Have you tried getting the engine to 0 rpms before you turn it off?

I'll try that next time, haha.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShabahZ250

I had a similar problem with my gauge also. Here's a test you can do to see if it's a connection issue. When the boat's running, kind of knock the front of the gauge with your knuckle. If the tach jumps and reads another level, then here's what to do.

They made these gauges universal for 4,6,& 8 cylinder engines. On the back of the gauge where the wiring hookup is, there's a small switch for each engine setting. You'll need a small flathead screwdriver. Insert into the switch and cycle through the different settings a few times. What happens is after a while, the contacts become dirty, and by cycling through the different settings, it "cleans" the contacts a bit.

After I did this, I haven't had any problems with it. If this doesn't help, you might try dropping Faria a line, they're actually really helpful.

I'll try your test chris. Maybe that'll fix it. This issue isn't anything new so we'll see. Been like this since we've had the boat. I think i'll give Faria a call just to see what they got. Who knows, maybe i'll strike it rich and hit the jackpot and they'll have a whole ton of gauges.

***94 Talari*** · 07-19-2007, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShabahZ250

I had a similar problem with my gauge also. Here's a test you can do to see if it's a connection issue. When the boat's running, kind of knock the front of the gauge with your knuckle. If the tach jumps and reads another level, then here's what to do.

They made these gauges universal for 4,6,& 8 cylinder engines. On the back of the gauge where the wiring hookup is, there's a small switch for each engine setting. You'll need a small flathead screwdriver. Insert into the switch and cycle through the different settings a few times. What happens is after a while, the contacts become dirty, and by cycling through the different settings, it "cleans" the contacts a bit.

After I did this, I haven't had any problems with it. If this doesn't help, you might try dropping Faria a line, they're actually really helpful.

This is very timely info!
Since my tach just started doing this a couple of weeks ago, I'll have to try the fix. I had resorted to tapping the bezel of the gauge to "correct" it.

Thanks, Ron.