Help with guages/fuses

[ThunderCAT]

This might be a dumb question, but...

I was out this weekend and flipped the Aux switch to activate my gas guage, and nothing worked. I have a 97 Sylvan side console, and the switch has a rest button, which usually works. I still have power to my nav lights, so the switch is giving power, which is good.

I checked all the connections and they are all good to that switch and the guage. Would the gas guage have a separate fuse? How do I check the fuse?

Any help or direction would be great for this relative newbie boat owner!

I've attached a picture to give you an idea of the console layout, etc...(the gas guage is actually not visible in the picture...it's hidden by the steering wheel)

[attachment deleted by admin]

[Spinach]

A few questions first?

1. Is the fuel gauge the only instrument not working? I believe you said you know there is power because the nav lights come on, does everything else on the cluster still work?

2. Is the gauge stuck on empty or full? Does it move at all when you turn the switch on?

3. Are you 100% positive that there is fuel in the tank? Dumb Question, but i had to ask.

Assuming everything else works and the gauge has no power at all, more than likely it is a bad ground to the sender or even the sending unit itself is bad.

Another scenario if all of the gauges are inop, is the inline fuse is bad. Follow the red battery cable from the battery and you'll come across the fuse, it is usually wrapped in black rubber material.

I've also seen the fuel gauges go bad, but not as likely as the first option i gave you. I'm not very familiar with Sylvans, but i'm sure someone here has more knowledge and will get you through this.

[deadeye]

Nothing takes out the guess work better than a volt meter.  You can get a workable one for $10 - $20.  You simply start at the battery and work your way around.  Sooner or later you will discover where you "lose" the power.  Good Luck.