Electrical System Ghosts

[jjackkrash]

My 2000 American Skier Volante's engine runs like a champ, but I am chasing electrical-system ghosts.  Sometimes the gauges work and sometimes they don't and they frequently go crazy.  Last weekend, the heater turned on and would not turn off with the switch, and would not turn off even after we removed the ground wire.  I have never seen something like that before.  Then we unplugged everything and plugged it back in, and the gauges at first would not work, but the heater turned off.  Then, the next day, they gauges worked fine.  One time the problem prevented the boat from starting.  Unplugging and replugging in wires and we got it running again, but perfect pass still blips in and out.  I think the gauges run into and out of a box that is controlled by a computer that is independent of the computer that runs the engine, but I am not 100% sure and i don't have a manual or wiring diagram.

My question is, can I throw away the gauges and existing wires and that box and replace them without compromising the engine's computer?  I am not really interested in chasing electrical ghosts for the rest of my life and If I can't resolve the problem by replacing the existing gauges and wires I will likely throw the boat on craigslist. 

Any thoughts?   

[Mike Harry]

Wild guess...... corrosion in fuse block?

[brandon]

I don't believe throwing the guages out will solve the problem.  I would start checking connections for ground and power.  Bad grounds will allow power to back feed thru other components.  There is more than likely a (one) bad or corroded connection causing all these problems.  I usually start checking connections at the battery and work back to the components.  I am also not sure about a "computer" for the guages, I am guessing it is just a covered fuse block, Ron will be able to verify that.  Electrical issues just require patience and a step by step method without skipping any steps... or luck and lots of beer!

[RonT]

See if my post in Tech section helps, if more info is needed call me 985-542-4336....RonT

[jjackkrash]

Thanks, everyone, for the input.  Ron, my father is helping me with the electrical and I will show him the post in the tech section and report back.  Thanks again,

Jack

[jjackkrash]

Also of note, it looks like the previous owner got sick of the warnings/alarms and just cut a few wires to those and left them dangling, so that may be one possible contributing source of the problem as well. 

[RonT]

The red light /audible warning is from the oil pressure switch (some also had a high water temp switch) the switch for oil I think was a 10psi switch, a hot engine with light oil could become a nuisance, wouldn't be the first to cut it out.

[brandon]

Sorry for the mis-information on the guage computer, I didn't know they had a setup like that.  Knowing that now, check battery connections (on batt) and battery voltage as the computers are voltage sensetive compared to pre computer setups.  Good luck.