TAPS 2 Problem & Fuel Sender Replacement

[wakeborder5]

I was troubleshooting my fuel sender using a voltmeter to test the ohms and determined that the sender is only registering the float at a couple points and, otherwise, is sending no signal. My gauge seems to be properly displaying these values, so my first question is:

1. Is the fuel gauge like other gauges, where it only works when the boat is in the "ON" position, or does it work regardless? I ask because it doesn't go to the bottom like other gauges when the boat is off and want to make sure it's working properly.

2. Where can I find a replacement sender and what model or part # do I need?

Additionally, I have an issue with my TAPS 2. The gauge is making an on-and-off whining noise and the needle is wandering randomly. After I noticed that, I tested the switch on the throttle and noted it was not working. Then, I checked the connections at the gauge and the whining has stopped for now. However, the switch on the throttle is still not working.

I called Bennet this morning and was told there should be three wires coming out from the actuator that I could use to first test the functionality of the actuator by connecting either the yellow or blue to the green to move the trim up or down. However, when I followed the line leaving the actuator to the dash, there were only two wires, which were black and white.

3. Does anyone know what the function of the black and white wires are?

I did some research and saw that often the wires going through the throttle to the switch are very thin and often fray and go bad. I went to remove the handle/switch from the top of the throttle by removing the small allen bolt. The best-fitting allen wrench I found was 3/32”, but it had some room for play and when I attempted to turn the bolt with it, it rotated with the bolt head.

4. What is the proper allen wrench size to remove the nut from the top of the throttle? If 3/32” is the proper size, what is the best method to get it out? I was thinking super glue or epoxy and then sticking in the 3/32” allen wrench.

I noticed that there are three cables that go to the throttle, which are black, white, and red.

5. If I want to manually test these wires to see if they’re frayed within the throttle, which cables should I touch to a 12V power source to move the tab up or down?

Sorry if my post is lengthy and unclear in anyway and if any of these questions have been addressed before. Thanks!

[dom w. forte]

The fuel guage only works with the key on , you can ground the wire from sender and the guage should peg past full, as to the trim you it sounds like you have a lenco and not a bennet, if its a lenco there is a black box under the dash which will say lenco on it and the wires going to the actuator are black and white, you can jump the black and white wires with power and ground and test the actuator, by reversing the power and ground you can make it go up and down , if it doesnt the actuator is bad , if it does youll need to check the signal from the box to the switch, and the power and ground ro the box.

[wakeborder5]

Thanks for the help Dom.

I opened the black box and it appears you are correct--its a lenco trim tab. I have attached pictures of the module under the dash. The second picture is the blue, white, and green wires being crimped to the red, white, and black wires, respectively, which go to the throttle switch.

If I'm not mistaken, I could test whether the wires in the throttle by connecting 2 of the 3 wires that are blue, white, and green wires to go up, another another combination of 2 to go down? Does anyone know which combination of wires that would be?

If that doesn't work, I will try connecting the black and white wire coming from the actuator directly to positive and ground to make sure the actuator itself is functional.

As a note, I checked the voltage of all the wires at the circuit board and noted the voltages below, although I don't know if/what that indiciates.

Red (power source) - 12V

white w/ red (to actuator) - 6V
black w/red (to actuator) - 6V

yellow (going to gauge) - 6.8V
orange (going to gauge) - 11.6V

blue (to throttle switch) - 7.5V
green (to throttle switch) - 5.5V
white (to throttle switch) - 7.5V

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