Kristian Ferrell
If your boat's speedometer is not working, it could be due to a number of reasons. The malfunction could be caused by a hole in the speedometer's tube, which can be found under the dashboard of your boat up to the centre of the speedometer's back. The tube is often black and thicker than most wiring in the boat. If there are no holes, the issue could be with the pitot tube, which is located under the boat's transom or on the lower part of the outboard motor. If you are unsure how to fix the problem, it is recommended to seek professional help or refer to a boat repair guide.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What to do if your speedometer isn't working | Locate the tube of the speedometer, which is usually under the dashboard of your boat up to the centre of the speedometer's back. The tube is often black and thicker than most wiring in the boat. |
| How to check for malfunction | Check if there are any holes or cuts on the tube. |
| How to fix | If the tube is connected to the pitot tube, remove the tube from the speedometer by unscrewing the connector on the pitot tube. If it is connected to the outboard motor, release the quick-connect joint. |
| Alternative methods | Use a GPS-based speedometer or a smartphone app to measure speed. |
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What You'll Learn
Locating the speedometer tube
If your boat's speedometer is not working, it's time to make some basic repairs. Before you start pulling wires, it's important to check what is causing the malfunction. To do this, you need to locate the speedometer's tube. This can generally be found under the dashboard of your boat up to the centre of the speedometer's back. The tube is thicker than most wiring in the boat and is often coloured black. Once you have located the tube, check to see if there are any holes that might be causing the speedometer to malfunction. You can trace the tube from its back up to the pitot tube, which is located under the boat's transom or on the lower part of the outboard motor. If the tube is connected to the pitot tube, remove the tube from the speedometer by unscrewing the connector on the pitot tube. If it is connected to the outboard motor, just release the quick-connect joint. Check to see if there are any holes or cuts on the tubes. If you are unsure how speedometers work, there are free smartphone apps that will be more accurate than your boat's speedometer.
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Checking for holes in the tube
If your boat's speedometer is not working, you can try to fix it yourself. First, you need to locate the tube of the speedometer. This is generally found under the dashboard of your boat up to the centre of the speedometer's back. The tube is thicker than most wiring in the boat and is often black. Once you have located the tube, check to see if there are any holes or cuts on it that might cause the speedometer to malfunction. You can trace the tube of the speedometer from its back up to the pitot tube, which is located under the boat's transom or on the lower part of the outboard motor. If the tube of your speedometer is connected to the pitot tube, remove the tube from the speedometer by unscrewing the connector on the pitot tube. If it is connected to the outboard motor, just release the quick-connect joint.
If there are no holes or cuts on the tube, there may be another cause of the malfunction. It is important to check what is causing the speedometer to malfunction before attempting to fix it. As an alternative to fixing your speedometer, you can use a GPS-based speedometer or a smartphone app to measure your speed.
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Removing the tube from the speedometer
If your boat's speedometer is not working, it's important to make some basic repairs. Before you start pulling wires, you should check what is causing the speedometer to malfunction.
To do this, you need to locate the tube of the speedometer. This is generally found under the dashboard of your boat up to the centre of the speedometer's back. The tube is thicker than most wiring in the boat, and it is often coloured black. Once you have located the tube, check to see if there are any holes on the tube that might cause the speedometer to malfunction. You can trace the tube of the speedometer from its back up to the pitot tube, which is located under the boat's transom, or on the lower part of the outboard motor.
If the tube of your speedometer is connected to the pitot tube, remove the tube from the speedometer by unscrewing the connector on the pitot tube. If it is connected to the outboard motor, just release the quick-connect joint. Check to see if there are any holes or cuts on the tubes.
If you are unsure how to fix your speedometer, you can try Googling "pitot speedometer" or use a GPS-based speedometer.
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Using a GPS-based speedometer
If your speedometer isn't working, it could be due to a hole in the speedometer tube. To check for this, locate the tube of the speedometer, which is usually under the dashboard of your boat up to the centre of the speedometer's back. The tube is often black and thicker than most wiring in the boat. Once you've found it, trace it up to the pitot tube, which is located under the boat's transom or on the lower part of the outboard motor. If there are any holes or cuts on the tubes, this could be causing the speedometer to malfunction.
If you're looking for a more accurate way to measure your speed, especially when you're not going fast, you might want to consider using a GPS-based speedometer. GPS-based speedometers are more accurate than traditional speedometers and can be extremely useful when you need to maintain a consistent speed, such as when you're towing kids around the lake.
There are a few different options for GPS-based speedometers. One option is to use a smartphone app. There are many free apps available that can provide you with accurate speed readings. Another option is to invest in a fishfinder with a built-in speedometer. These devices use sonar to locate fish and can also provide speed readings. Finally, you can purchase a standalone GPS-based speedometer that can be mounted on your boat's dashboard.
When choosing a GPS-based speedometer, it's important to consider the features that are most important to you. For example, do you want a device that can provide real-time speed updates, or are you more concerned with accuracy? Additionally, think about the mounting options and whether you want a device that can be easily removed and taken with you when you leave the boat.
By using a GPS-based speedometer, you can ensure that you're always aware of your boat's speed, even when you're travelling at low speeds. This can be extremely useful for a variety of boating activities and can help you stay safe on the water.
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Googling 'pitot speedometer'
If your boat's speedometer is not working, you can try to fix it yourself. First, you need to locate the tube of the speedometer, which is usually found under the dashboard of your boat up to the centre of the speedometer's back. The tube is often black and thicker than most wiring in the boat. Once you have located the tube, check to see if there are any holes on it that might cause the speedometer to malfunction. You can trace the tube of the speedometer from its back up to the pitot tube, which is located under the boat's transom or on the lower part of the outboard motor. If the tube of your speedometer is connected to the pitot tube, remove the tube from the speedometer by unscrewing the connector on the pitot tube. If it is connected to the outboard motor, just release the quick-connect joint. Check to see if there are any holes or cuts on the tubes. If you are unsure about how to fix your speedometer, you can try using a GPS-based speedometer or a smartphone app to measure your speed.
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Frequently asked questions
There are a few reasons why your boat speedometer might not be working. The most common problem is a clogged pilot hole for the pickup tube. These gauges use water pressure to determine speed, so if anything clogs the water line running to the gauge it will stop working.
One quick way to check is to disconnect the tube from the back of the gauge, and blow into it. If you (or your assistant) hear the air at the motor, or see the bubbles if the boat is in the water, then your tube is clear.
The small hose from the pilot hole to the gauge can come undone, get crushed or develop a crack. Make sure the 1/4 turn clip has not come disconnected from the top of the lower unit. You'll have to get on your back and look up between the transom and the drive. A torch may be required as it's dark.
If your speedometer system seems to stop working due to a little dirt or debris in the pilot hole on the engine, you can carry a small wire to run in the hole to clean it and get it working.
Most boats come with a pitot tube speedometer. This is a little hole in the outdrive leg. Water pressure makes the gauge move.
