Author Topic: Erratic Tachometer on 2003 Contessa  (Read 16616 times)

William Harmon

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Re: Erratic Tachometer on 2003 Contessa
« Reply #15 on: July 20, 2016, 07:38:26 PM »
Unable of find the Chassis Fuse Panels in the Battery compartment.  Can you provide exact location in Battery compartment?  It must be hid.  Thanks

William Harmon

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Re: Erratic Tachometer on 2003 Contessa
« Reply #16 on: July 20, 2016, 07:45:01 PM »
I do have my 2003 Contessa Owners Manual and looking at page 353 but no fuse panel can I find in battery compartment.

Jim Houghton

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Re: Erratic Tachometer on 2003 Contessa
« Reply #17 on: July 21, 2016, 12:37:29 AM »
Just went down and took me a few but finally located the fuse panel. Looking at the battery compartment it is located on the outside rear side behind the fuel filter above the muffler. I have attached a few photos.
2021 Entegra Cornerstone
2003 Beaver Contessa Tuscany (sold)
Pleasant View, TN :)

William Harmon

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Re: Erratic Tachometer on 2003 Contessa
« Reply #18 on: July 21, 2016, 02:11:22 AM »
Thanks Jim for taking time to find the fuses and sending photos.  This is pretty amazing the way they are located in individual cacons.  I was looking inside the battery compartment and had no idea they were located where they are.  Have you ever checked or opened these things?  Its getting close to sunset here but I think I will try to locate the 15 Amp fuse before dark.  I will advise my findings as soon as I know.  May be tomorrow.  Thanks, William

William Harmon

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Re: Erratic Tachometer on 2003 Contessa
« Reply #19 on: July 21, 2016, 02:43:55 AM »
Looks like it will be tomorrow AM before I can check the fuse.  Had 2 calls that took time.  Wondering if I could pry the outer shell off with a screwdriver or twist it.  I don't want to damage it as it may be difficult to replace.  Your thoughts?

Jim Houghton

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Re: Erratic Tachometer on 2003 Contessa
« Reply #20 on: July 21, 2016, 02:51:30 AM »
Looked to be just a rubber dust/moisture cover that just pulls off and exposes the fuse. I did not mess with it just located and took the pictures. I will be home early tomorrow taking ours out for the weekend. I still check my e mail while traveling and also visit this site daily.

Jim
2021 Entegra Cornerstone
2003 Beaver Contessa Tuscany (sold)
Pleasant View, TN :)

Edward Buker

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Re: Erratic Tachometer on 2003 Contessa
« Reply #21 on: July 21, 2016, 04:40:26 AM »
William,

Those black plastic pieces are indeed sealed dust covers. There is a plastic tab that locks over a small wedge of plastic, that ends up centered in the tab when it locks closed. Take a light and look closely at the design of the tab. Basically you lift the tab until it releases the locking wedge and pull the cover straight up and off to reach the fuse. If this locking arrangement looks confusing or difficult to see take a photo of it with your phone and then enlarge it, either on your phone or a computer to get a close up of the locking tab arrangement. That should make it clear how it will all come apart. I use a small screwdriver to lift the tab to release the cover.

This seems a long ways away from the dash to cause the issue but you never know until you check it out. Hope this helps.

Later Ed

William Harmon

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Re: Erratic Tachometer on 2003 Contessa
« Reply #22 on: July 21, 2016, 04:49:54 PM »
Well, not what I had wanted to report.  My volt meter shows 15 amp fuse has continuity.  Visual appearance of fuse looks good.  Any suggestions on next step would be appreciated.  Not giving up easily.

Steve Huber Co-Admin

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Re: Erratic Tachometer on 2003 Contessa
« Reply #23 on: July 21, 2016, 05:54:52 PM »
William,
I think you've lost a ground not a fuse. The signals to turn on the dash lights above the gauges are all separate but the ground is common. The alarm you are hearing is probably the low air alarm since it also gets its ground from the dash. The ground line also feeds the dash fuel and voltmeter gauges.
For a diagram, go to the coach link section in Private Member Only section and look at Page 10 of Part 4 of the 2003 Marquis wiring diagrams.
Steve
Steve
2015-          07 Contessa Bayshore C9,  400 hp
2013-2015: 00 Marquis Tourmaline, C12, 425 hp
2005-2013: 01 Contessa Naples, 3126B, 330 hp

William Harmon

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Re: Erratic Tachometer on 2003 Contessa
« Reply #24 on: July 23, 2016, 03:36:49 AM »
Thanks Steve for providing me with the instructions on viewing the schematic for my Contessa dash instruments.  I assume the dash layout the 2003 Marquis is the same as the 2003 Contessa.  Due to extreme heat and humidity in Southern Oklahoma, I haven't got to dig in until today.  I did find a White wire not attached from circuit 211 (ignition wire ) to post 1 of the Volt Meter.  I re-attached the wire and now the Volt Meter is working but not real sure where the Red wire from the lights above the Volt meter attaches.  The row of lights above Volt meter still inop. and buzzer still goes off when ignition is on. 

Steve Huber Co-Admin

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Re: Erratic Tachometer on 2003 Contessa
« Reply #25 on: July 23, 2016, 05:05:40 AM »
William,
Per the diagram the red wires to the 2 light banks above the voltmeter each drive a single light. They each go thru a butt splice and then to connector C26. Thus I don't think a loose red wire is causing the the 2 banks to be inoperative. If you can get the # off the red wire, you can figure out where it is supposed to go from the diagram.
Check to see if there are any other white wires that are supposed to be connected to the voltmeter gnd terminal. The  diagram indicates there should be at least 3; the ground supply, a ground wire to the fuel gauge,  and a ground wire(s) to the light banks above the gauges.
As to the alarm, if you haven't already, start the coach and let it run until the air gets to operating PSI. If the alarm quits, it is probably OK.
Good Luck,  Steve
Steve
2015-          07 Contessa Bayshore C9,  400 hp
2013-2015: 00 Marquis Tourmaline, C12, 425 hp
2005-2013: 01 Contessa Naples, 3126B, 330 hp

William Harmon

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Re: Erratic Tachometer on 2003 Contessa
« Reply #26 on: July 23, 2016, 09:01:45 PM »
Finally, I think I have good news to report.  The red unattached wire was re-attached to pole G of the Volt Meter per the schematic but all the same problems still persisted.  I moved the red wire to the Ignition Power circuit and things cleared up including the alarm.  Maybe I misread the schematic but I did not think initially it should be moved and I was concerned I may damage a circuit.  What are your thoughts on this? 

Thanks Steve, Ed and Jim for staying with me on this problem.  Your help has been invaluable and I learned a lot about wiring.  Took the coach on a 20 mile test in 100+ temperatures and all systems performed as they should.  Ready to hit the road to the high country.
William

Edward Buker

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Re: Erratic Tachometer on 2003 Contessa
« Reply #27 on: July 23, 2016, 09:13:36 PM »
William,

Good for you, if it is all working I do not think anything was damaged with the wiring "experiments".

Later Ed

Steve Huber Co-Admin

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Re: Erratic Tachometer on 2003 Contessa
« Reply #28 on: July 23, 2016, 09:16:19 PM »
William,
Glad you found the problem. After what you related, I see where Ign Pwr is needed for some of the lights that apparently provide a gnd signal to illuminate the indicator. The Ign Pwr 12V takes a  circuitous route but supplies 12V to some of the indicators in all 3 banks. We all learned something.
Glad we could help some.
Steve
Steve
2015-          07 Contessa Bayshore C9,  400 hp
2013-2015: 00 Marquis Tourmaline, C12, 425 hp
2005-2013: 01 Contessa Naples, 3126B, 330 hp

William Harmon

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Re: Erratic Tachometer on 2003 Contessa
« Reply #29 on: July 24, 2016, 12:06:44 AM »
One final note on the initial problem(Erratic Tachometer) the filter is working perfect after 20 miles.  Thanks jim