Replacing stepper motor on gauge

[KDCr7]

So my speedo quit last summer, been through troubleshooting everything including paddle wheel. Narrowed it down to the stepper motor and figured its worth a shot at replacing. (going analog or PP not in the budget this year)

I have the gauge apart but cant get the circuit board out of the housing. Does the 5 pin connector need to be de-soldered for the board to be removed? 

The only info i could find was an old thread https://www.themalibucrew.com/index.php?/profile/23114-jasonrmorrow/. Sounds like the pins shouldnt come out.

[UWSkier]

If you figure it out, please post some pics. I have a dead tach and a spare speedo that can serve as a donor. Would like to get tach working again. 

[KDCr7]

Will do. Hoping to get at this week. Need to get a little practice soldering before i hit the speedo. Been a long time since ive done any.

[SkiPablo]

@KDCr7do you have the speedo with just numbers or the one with the LCD screen at the bottom ?

Edited March 8, 2020 by SkiPablo

[KDCr7]

@SkiPabloIt has the LCD screen with white numbers. 

Screen makes it very tight to get the iron in to the pins. 

Edited March 8, 2020 by KDCr7
Figured out how to tag @user

[electricjohn]

Someone, years back posted a link to the service manuals.

[SkiPablo]

On 3/8/2020 at 2:35 PM, KDCr7 said:

@SkiPabloIt has the LCD screen with white numbers. 

Screen makes it very tight to get the iron in to the pins. 

I've used one of these conductive pens before  - not sure if it will work in your case

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LYAA814

[KDCr7]

@SkiPablo That looks pretty cool. Ill look into seeing if it would work. Thanks

[justgary]

1 hour ago, KDCr7 said:

@SkiPablo That looks pretty cool. Ill look into seeing if it would work. Thanks

Much better to simply resolder each connection.  That's most likely the problem anyway. 

[asnowman]

I had a bad solder issue on a pickup truck.  Intermittent gauges, then just dead.  I ordered stepper motors after seeing the price of a new display cluster. When i pulled it apart, i checked the solders first, adn found several had virtually no solder in them.  I added solder to each pin and tried it out, been working fine since.

not saying that's your issue, but i do have a box of stepper motors if you want one! 

[KDCr7]

I'll definitely take a closer look at the solder.....when i get the circuit board out. Be great if that is the problem.

[KDCr7]

Finished installing new stepper. Good news is the single line display still works.

Now i cant remember if the needle will move on the gauge with the ignition on (engine off) while spinning the paddle wheel? 

[SkiPablo]

i doubt you can spin it fast enough to register

 

[KDCr7]

I hope thats the case. It didnt register using an air compressor.

 

[KDCr7]

Been meaning to update on this thread. After replacing the stepper motor, speedo wasnt registering when i spun the paddle wheel with air compressor. Decided to test the paddle wheel transducer. Followed this procedure https://c320.org/article.php/speedotesting. First used pins to test while everything was connected in the boat, test failed.  Next i cut the wiring to the transducer and pulled it out. Connected the wires to 9 volt battery, ran the test and failed again. 

Long story short, my speedo problem seems to be a failed paddle wheel transducer.

Next step is either NauticLogic gps (expensive way to find out if speedo actually works) or go analog

[skisky89]

@KDCr7

Is there a model/part number for the correct replacement stepper motor?

[KDCr7]

@skisky89 yes.  I don't remember off hand what it is but I will check when i get home this afternoon.

[skisky89]

I found it!!

The stepper motor is: X27 168

Here's an updated link for anyone on the same path: https://www.amazon.com/Dr-Roc-Instrument-Cluster-Stepper-Backlight/dp/B01ABO1LAM/ref=sr_1_1?crid=PA69EGK5NHPP&keywords=Stepper+Motor+Repair+Kit+x27.168&qid=1661100185&s=automotive&sprefix=stepper+motor+repair+kit+x27.168+%2Cautomotive%2C72&sr=1-1X27

 

[KDCr7]

@skisky89 sorry for the delay.  I just the found the ones i used.  Yes they are X27 168. 👍