Home › Forums › Bass Cat Faq Archive › NexSysLink Gauge Startup – Intermittent Issue
Never got around to posting the question but now getting prepped for the season and had this on my list to look into…2012 PII/200 Pro XS with Nexsys Gauges –
Last summer, on multiple occasions, upon starting the motor, the gauges (tach, speedo) would cycle over but then not come “online” (i.e. no tach measuring 700 rpm at idle, no H20 pressure, etc.). In the digital readout it would show a flashing icon of what appears to be 2 disconnected wires or an “X” or something (I don’t recall exactly what the icon looks like) and I believe I recall it also saying “No Data” or a bunch of “??????”. So, basically when this happens I have no digital gauge readings at all (i.e. fuel level, engine temp, H20 pressure, rpm, hours etc.). When this has happened I’ve simply turned the key off and then restarted the engine, the gauges cycle over and then everything comes back online good as new with all data being reflected. Humminbird in dash is on. Engine cranks fine, nothing to suggest a battery issue, etc. Saw one other post here where a guy mentioned something similar where when he cranks up the gauges do not boot correctly, and he basically shut down and re-start and the gauges always come back up correctly.
Does anyone else have a similar experience and are there any suggestions on what to look at (loose connection somewhere, setting on dash humminbird, etc.) to figure out why this is happening?
Thanks in advance for any suggestions!
We suspect the touchpad on the dash which controls the LED screen. Pretty simple to replace.
TAKFishingI have a similar intermittent issue with my NexSysLink… occasionally (always seems to be around late morning or mid day-suggesting battery?), when I turn the key and gauge cycles past the Beede logo, I push the down arrow to get to my preferred display and it will scroll continuously. Have to hit Enter several times, scroll to where I want to be and SOMETIMES it stops, other times I have to turn off and back on with key as you suggest.
BCB-is it as simple at the touch pad? I suspected battery, but it stops and can continue to fish throughout the day and not occur again as batteries continue to drain. (On a 2012 Eyra)
Yes it is, a $39 part is the culprit.
Service will fix you up! You should file an angle to the slot the ribbon tape goes through to remove strain onthe corner bend, which is the issue.
TAKFishing wrote:Never got around to posting the question but now getting prepped for the season and had this on my list to look into…2012 PII/200 Pro XS with Nexsys Gauges –Last summer, on multiple occasions, upon starting the motor, the gauges (tach, speedo) would cycle over but then not come “online” (i.e. no tach measuring 700 rpm at idle, no H20 pressure, etc.). In the digital readout it would show a flashing icon of what appears to be 2 disconnected wires or an “X” or something (I don’t recall exactly what the icon looks like) and I believe I recall it also saying “No Data” or a bunch of “??????”. So, basically when this happens I have no digital gauge readings at all (i.e. fuel level, engine temp, H20 pressure, rpm, hours etc.). When this has happened I’ve simply turned the key off and then restarted the engine, the gauges cycle over and then everything comes back online good as new with all data being reflected. Humminbird in dash is on. Engine cranks fine, nothing to suggest a battery issue, etc. Saw one other post here where a guy mentioned something similar where when he cranks up the gauges do not boot correctly, and he basically shut down and re-start and the gauges always come back up correctly.
Does anyone else have a similar experience and are there any suggestions on what to look at (loose connection somewhere, setting on dash humminbird, etc.) to figure out why this is happening?Thanks in advance for any suggestions!
I have had the exact same issue at first like you i thought it was a battery issue, then 2 month later my battery died (cabelas 31), installed new sears PM31 and same thing, doesnt happen often but enough to notic, its a little inconvienece, though i generally have just forgot about it till it happens again. Maybe I need to look at getting it replaced.
I have the exact same problem. When the key is first energized, all readings come up on the NexSysLink gauge. When the engine is started, the gauge shows all the symbols as stated above. I was just figuring the starting of the motor caused a reset of the gauges.
BCB, you state the touch pad is the problem, but I’ve never had any issues with the workings of the touch pad. I’m a little confused.
My memory is coming back to me. The only error I see is with the water temperature. Below is a picture of the error. The “broken link” symbols appear first, then the question marks. Within about 15 seconds, all the readings come back to normal.

Ok, let’s try this…. Most never set up the clock, windows or parameters. These gauges are tunable to your preferences.
Does the key pad scroll through functions?
Go into the set up screens and parameters.
Try setting the number of windows to more than the standard five screens, you can have ten with nine at your option. (hours defaults as std.)
Select the screens you desire in each window.
…………NOTE: We like to place fuel flow, RPM and Speed in that order for setup and general use.
Select and save at each screen.
Check the settings for analog and digital in each screen set up. It is possible that the system is set to analog, when you have digital.
Set the clock, fuel to percentages and etc.
If the rolling display and options windows function then the system is functioning. If you can not save and select your functions then you shuld notice if the key pad is not working. In that case you may need a new key pad.
Just a little quick guide to work you through the gauges.
BCB
What brand engine Boilerfishin?
If the key pad functions all the segments up and down then it is probably alright.
Mercury 200 ProXS
Possibly a bad sender.
My boat is also a 2012 PII. I have all my screens set up. I have 9 screens with the time and date as the 10th. My personal preference is to have the trim and water temp as my first two screens. I’ll have to check the analog vs. digital, but I don’t remember seeing the setting to even change it. Setting the clock is easy, but I’m under the impression the fuel percentage settings are preset at the factory. Everything appears to be functioning properly except once I start the motor and only with the engine water temp. Eventually, the temp settings come back.
For me, I’m only wanting to understand why the screen for the water temp goes to “broken link” symbol, then to question marks, and then back to normal.
Thanks for your help BCB
Bass Cat Boats wrote: Yes it is, a $39 part is the culprit.Service will fix you up! You should file an angle to the slot the ribbon tape goes through to remove strain onthe corner bend, which is the issue.
Thanks BCB. Seems like there are several flavors of this issue guys are experiencing…everything for me works fine in terms of scrolling, displays, etc. I just have the periodic issue of losing everything in terms of the gauges.
For me if I understand what you are saying, the ribbon tape with the wires from the control pad are being pinched a bit from the original install? Is the small control pad and ribbon wire all one piece and is this the new part to what you are referring?
Either way I’ll give parts a call and go from there. Hopefully the install is simple and something I can do without screwing anything up. Thanks!
If it is intermittent you might check the data harness from the junctions block and those connections.
BCB thanks again for great service and this forum for quick answers. I had a problem with my NexSysLink display continuously scrolling intermittently. You offered that it was the touch pad (small one next to A10) and quickly sent one under warranty for free! Quick simple peel and stick install and works like new. Saved me a trip to the dealer for a simple user fix! Thanks again for great service and special thanks for Pete who always comes through!
HSVBCB wrote: BCB thanks again for great service and this forum for quick answers. I had a problem with my NexSysLink display continuously scrolling intermittently. You offered that it was the touch pad (small one next to A10) and quickly sent one under warranty for free! Quick simple peel and stick install and works like new. Saved me a trip to the dealer for a simple user fix! Thanks again for great service and special thanks for Pete who always comes through!
x2 for Pete/BCB. Received my replacement pad last week. Thanks again!!!
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