TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
This is a list of some problems and their solutions which may be encountered when installing your instrumentation system. If you cannot determine what the problem is or how to solve it, please call our technical assistance line (605)
* A note on vehicle grounding. *
The most common cause of problems with electric gauges and other sensitive vehicle electronics is poor ground connections. The engine block has the highest ground currents of any point in the vehicle. The ignition system, electric gauge senders, starter, alternator, etc. all use the engine block for a ground point. Since the alternator is grounded directly to the engine block, all ground currents in the entire vehicle must pass through the engine block while the engine is running. A weak or loose connection can cause many unexpected problems that may be difficult to track down. The engine block should have heavy ground straps to both the chassis and the body. The main negative cable from the battery should be connected directly to the engine block.
SymptomPossible ProblemSolution
System does not light up | Control box may not be getting | Check if the control box has |
and LED off. | power. | 12 volts connected to it. |
| Control box may not be getting | Check if the control box has |
| a ground. | a proper ground connection. |
|
| Do not use a battery charger to |
|
| power the system. |
| The control box may have | Contact Dakota Digital’s service |
| an internal problem | department with a description of |
|
| the problem. |
System does not light up and LED is on steady.
Control box may be getting too low of a voltage.
Check if power to control box is at least 11 volts.
Do not use a battery charger to power the system.
System does not light up and LED is flashing.
The display system may not be getting power.
Check the ribbon connector on the display system wiring harness
Be sure the pins and stripe are aligned with control box markings.
Check the display system wiring harness for broken or cut wires.
One display does not | The display panel |
light up at all, all others | corner of the display is white or |
work correctly. | the display is cracked or broken |
The tachometer will not | The control box is not connected |
show a reading. | to the engine properly |
| The engine cylinder setting is |
| incorrect. |
| The tach signal setting is |
| incorrect. |
Return the display panel to Dakota Digital for repair. Include
a phone number and address. Call for RMA # before returning.
Make sure the control box is connected to your particular ignition system properly.
Refer to the tach setup section of the installation manual.
Refer to the tach setup section of the installation manual.
27 | MAN 650066:D |