Another question about speedometers (and driver's seat)
 

:confused:
Hey guys, I'm kinda new here so this might not be the place to start but what the hey... I have a 1996 Shaba Z272 Bravo III. My Speedometer also doesn't work but it tells me I am going at 35 mph all the time... even now! Also I have a wheel thing that looks like it could also be a sppeometer off to the side on the hull. Not quite sure why. Do I have 2 speedos or are they redundant or was the first one so broken that someone installed a new one? I've read the posts about the drill bit but that won't apply to the wheelie thing. One more thing and I'm out. My electric pilot seat doesn't work but I have 2 hot wires. one is hooked to the switch and will move forward but not in reverse without reversing the wires and the other is just hanging in the wall not connected to anything. Any thoughts?
Yeah, I know, I posted this a a reply to another thread before I realized I should just post my own question...
thanx,

The paddle wheel is a trip odometer. I don't have one, but it my understanding it's connected to the Mark VIII computer on the Z models.

If your speedo (gauge) has proper power and ground, the next most likely thing is a plugged intake hole.

First off, welcome to the board!

Second, i'll try and help you out here. Your speedo is controlled by the intake hole in the outdrive. If you feel on the back of the drive, you'll find a small hole. Debris can usually get stuck in there and clog the intake. This is the most common issue with the speedometers not working. You can do a search on here, there's some diagrams that might help you out for cleaning it.

The paddlewheel sensor on the transom is not for the speedo, even though it may seem that way. It's actually for the "trip meter" which is like a small counter on your dash. I've never been able to figure out how to read it correctly, but it's supposed to tell you how far you've traveled. :)

As far as the seat goes, what color are the wires you've got? If you can take a pic, that'd be really helpful. We're all willing to help each other out!

Hope this helps!

One down, two to go
 

Thanx guys,
At least one question is now checked off the list. I'll try the drill bit thing next. I'll also try to dake a couple of pictured and/or describe the wiring to you.
Thanx again...
:)

I just joined and already, benefiting. I have the same issues with my '95 Z212. I was ready to take the dash out to see if I could fix and had given up on the seat issue all together. Of course I bought the boat used but it is my first and unfortunately, I have a lot of questions that will seem redundant or flat out stupid. I'm going to continue reading old posts to see what I can learn before asking, but wanted to say thanks for the help with this and I will continue to watch for the solution on the seat. There are wires everywhere on my boat that aren't connected I think they had something to do with the LED screen on the dash that was disabled when I bought it.
Thanks Again
dav

With regards to the speedo mine wasn't working when I got my boat either, however my problem was a cut line going to the lower unit. This has been mentioned in other threads about speedo problems. I just got some tubing and a barb and fixed the broken line. FYI my mechanic told me to heat the tubing up with a lighter before connecting it to the barb. Makes it go on easier and keeps it from coming apart. It was a good tip.

Having said that I can't get my speedo to reset to 0mph. It is stuck at 30mph and goes up from there. Someone told me to remove the hose from the back of the gauge and the it would drop to back to 0 but it didn't soooo what next. Like how I made someone elses problem all about my problem, I'm smooth like that

My speedo didn't work when I got it either, my problem was traced to a melted section of the speedo line. The affected piece was cut out, and replaced with a new section of hose and some barbs.

Geiffert, Worst case scenario, you could always use Faria's Lifetime Warranty and send it back for a replacement, at a charge of $40. A few of our members have made use of this warranty. In this case, it might be worth it for you.