Speedometer troubleshooting

[Jeff Brekke]

I have a 2002 188 Sport with a 115hp Merc. My speedometer at dash doesn't move. If I disconnect the small hose at leading edge of lower unit and blow into it the speedometer needle moves, so I don't think I have any blockage in that side. But, from there I don't see where the inlet is for speedometer on this motor is. Some sites say there is a small inlet port on the leading edge of lower unit, bit not on this one that I can see. Anyone know?

 

[Andrebass]

yes there is a small cut out on the front of the lower unit. Run your finger done the edge and you should feel it. with a small vise grip twist a small drill bit inside and see if you get any debris from the hole. you should not go past the 1.5 inches on the drill bit. if the hole is clear you will bump into the back wall of that tube, don't drill into this as this goes into the lower unit. do not put drill bit into a drill motor at all.

 

[BrettL]

Andre bass is right. You will find it by running your finger down the lower unit. Take a 1/16 drill bit in between thumb and forefinger and rotate it back and forth in the hole. Pull it out and clean off the wood filings that build up on it. Repeat. It’s painstaking, but works. Again, no drill. It will snap that bit in half in an instant then that’s it!

 

[Jeff Brekke]

Found it. It was so packed with debris that it was easy to miss. Used the drill bit, cleaned it out as best I could. Next time on water will be the test. Thanks all for the tip.

 

[BrettL]

Found it. It was so packed with debris that it was easy to miss. Used the drill bit, cleaned it out as best I could. Next time on water will be the test. Thanks all for the tip.

Hey Jeff, you’ll know if you’ve gotten it completely cleaned out, as the bit will slide in and out fairly easy. If it doesn’t, and it bottoms out without going all the way in, then there is still debris in there. Good luck bud.

 

[Andrebass]

If you got a few drips of water when clearing out, then its cleaned.

 

[DMcCabe]

I have a 2003 288 Sport and eventually gave up on the speedo and just installed a Lowrence Hook2 GPS unit. Provides speed, water temp, depth, waypoints, fish finder, etc. Simple install. Hard to beat for $120.

 

[Jeff Brekke]

Yea, I have the GPS units as well, just don't like things that don't work

My next one is my water pressure gauge. Pulled out of storage and the needle is working backwards from 30 psi when off to 20 psi when running. Stream is steady out of motor though.

 

[GlennN]

Of course I buy an oddball. ‘99 640 LX and I searched AND searched for that port on the leading edge. Then accidentally spotted something on the tail of the hull. The leading edge of that had apparently been knocked by the previous owner and was pointing straight to the rear. That being said if you’re not finding what the folks said previously then this could be where you want to look. If it’s broken it’s like a $10 part that takes 5 minutes to replace.