Where to Connect an RPM Gauge on a 1996 Sea-Doo GTI

You can add an rpm gauge -- also known as a tachometer -- to a 1996 Sea-Doo GTI with little trouble, because a tachometer was an option for that model. Since the wiring that provides the tachometer's signal is present and the instrument panel is laid out to accommodate the extra instrument, the installation is little more than tying the tachometer into the existing multifunction gauge and the Sea-Doo's common ground.

Things You'll Need

  • Hole saw
  • Drill
  • Flat-blade screwdriver
  • Wire cutters
  • Red 8/0 AWG wire
  • Black 8/0 AWG wire
  • Wire stripper
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Instructions

    • 1

      Remove the safety lanyard from the Sea-Doo. Depress the "Stop-Start" button once. Wait at least 60 seconds as the electrical system fully discharges.

    • 2

      Turn the trim ring of the multifunction gauge counterclockwise by hand. Pull the multifunction gauge out of the instrument panel until the wiring on its rear fully extends from the panel. Insert a flat-blade screwdriver between the wedge lock of the 6-circuit connector housing and the back of the gauge. Twist the screwdriver and remove the connector housing from the rear of the gauge.

    • 3

      Attach a hole saw bit the size of the body of the tachometer into a drill. Drill the hole for the tachometer to the left of the multifunction gauge on the instrument panel.

    • 4

      Cut a piece of red 8/0 American Wire Gauge copper stranded wire that's long enough to reach from the right side of the multifunction gauge to the center of the new hole in the dash by using a pair of wire cutters. Cut a piece of black 8/0 AWG copper stranded wire that's long enough to reach from the center of the new hole in the dash to the vessel's common ground. Strip 1/4 inch of insulation from the ends of each of the wires by using a wire stripper.

    • 5

      Locate the gray wire that extends from the multipurpose electronic module. Pull the free end of the gray wire through the hole you just drilled and connect it to the "S" terminal of the tachometer. Press the tab beneath the purple wire on the back of the multipurpose gauge and push one end of the red AWG wire into the terminal with the purple wire. Connect the other end of the red AWG wire to the power connection, marked with a "+" sign on the back of the tachometer.

    • 6

      Snap the multifunction gauge's connector housing back onto the rear of the gauge and push the gauge back into its hole in the instrument panel. Twist the gauge clockwise until it is upright and secure.

    • 7

      Connect one end of the piece of black AWG wire to the ground terminal -- marked with the letters "GND" or a "-" sign -- on the back of the tachometer. Connect the other end of the black wire to the vessel's common ground. Push the tachometer into its freshly drilled hole and secure it in place.