View Full Version : Intermittent loss of digital 7" screen gauge readings.
HFarr
06-23-2025, 11:40 AM
I am all of a sudden starting to have my speed, rpm, depth, and furl readings go to zero, and my temp go to 32. Also my ballast fill switches stop working. It will do this at random. I can sometimes shut the batteries off and restart, and they work again. But not every time. I reached out to skiers choice, and got this answer "
This sounds like a CAN component in the boat is starting to fail or there is a loose wire in the CAN network causing intermittent connection" has anyone had an issue with one of these, and if so where? I am several hours from a dealer and am not against trying to locate a loose connection/connector myself.
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Holdmybeer
06-23-2025, 01:20 PM
I would start behind the display. Not sure what they are using for connectors. If they are rj45 type ethernet connectors, the plastic gets weak. I would hope they are twist lock sealed being marine grade.
There is a direct canbys cable from the screen to the control module. It could just be that cable is bad.
HFarr
06-25-2025, 04:24 PM
Thanks. I will take a look this weekend. I bought the extended warranty on the electronics, so I hope this will be covered if I I can't find it. Gonna have to dig up my warranty paperwork.
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HFarr
07-05-2025, 11:20 AM
Ok, here is my latest on this issue. I got the updated software to upload this morning. I apparently had a faulty USB drive, and once I downloaded the update to a different one, it loaded up with no problems. Unfortunately, it did not solve my intermittent gauge information from going in and out. Which, as a reminder, I loose my Autowake, message tells me it's not installed. I loose my maps. I loose all my ballast bag fill and empty functions. The toggles just go dead. I loose my rpm, speed, fuel level, depth, engine, and water temperature readings.
I have unplugged and plugged every connector I can find, including the main ecm plug, and the two behind my screen. All look really good. I did happen to notice, though, that I can push the emergency stop lanyard button, which kills the engine, a few times, and my readings return. But when I re-crank the boat, they go away again. This has to be a clue to indicate something. Took the kill switch out and checked it, and all seems fine there. Anyone have any other ideas what wire or plug could be causing this? Super frustrating since I can't surf with this happening.
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Holdmybeer
07-05-2025, 03:11 PM
So...kill switch goes to ground when pushed and kills your ignition. You are saying everything comes back when you pushed it.
Loose ground cables. Or the whole bus bar under the dash could be loose. I bet vibration loosened something up over the last 4 years. I find loose screws every year I un-winterize.
HFarr
07-06-2025, 01:27 PM
Yes. It comes back when I hit the kill switch, but only momentarily. I didn't think about the entire bus bar itself or the bolts/nuts on it. I was so focused on connectors. I will have to look at that next. I also noticed yesterday that when it all seems to be registering and working, my depth gauge reading is still zero. Not sure if that may be a clue either.
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HFarr
07-07-2025, 02:05 PM
So here is a link to a short video of what my gages are doing if anyone has an idea?
https://youtube.com/shorts/ZD59GUQjlPw?feature=shared
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HFarr
07-07-2025, 03:48 PM
After digging more and more, I came across a Malibu post that said sometimes a faulty module can cause the whole canbus system to go in and out. The post said to disconnect that module from the system, and it will usually correct the issue. As I mentioned last time, I noticed my depth reading does not work, even when all the other gauges do. Does anyone know the location or wiring for the transducer so I can try to unplug it and see if that corrects the in and out problems?
Also, back to the grounding connections possibly being the issue. The Busbar end was all good and tight under the helm, but I did not check the engine ground lug that the bus bar connects too on the block itself. I will check that end too.
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haknslash
07-07-2025, 04:44 PM
That is strange behavior! Don’t you just love tracking down things like this ugh. Good to know your connections are tight. It’s so strange that doing something g at the kill switch would cause it as I wouldn’t think that is linked to CANBUS system but I suppose it could be. Hopefully you’re onto something there.
The Triducer as they call it since it reads depth, speed, and water temp is located in the bilge next to the vdrive. You should be able to see it from the vdrive access cover removed and look for black cylinder with the working “AIRMAR” on it. I had to replace mine due to depth reading “- - -“ on my Max but it didn’t have the larger dash and stuff like your Moomba does.
Holdmybeer
07-07-2025, 06:54 PM
The kill switch video makes this look 100% like a ground issue.
Check the triducer cable and see if you have a rub mark somewhere. HAK is correct you can see it in the v-drive locker and the cable runs to the back of the boat.
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