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Caterpillar MPD replacement

Discussion in 'Engines' started by Bayhouse, Jul 19, 2025 at 11:37 AM.

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  1. Bayhouse, Jul 19, 2025 at 11:37 AM
    #1
    Bayhouse

    Bayhouse New Member

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    Location:
    Brigantine, NJ
    I need to replace the Port MPD due to a combination of screen burn and Horizontal lines. The LCD replacement services report that horizontal lines cannot be repaired so I'm looking to replace.

    The MPD is likely original with a date code 2006 (boat is '05 model) and has a P/N 259-2170-00. STBD was replaced by PO (date code 2020, P/N 307-7541-03).

    Two questions:

    1 - Does anyone know how to decode that P/N, at least those last 2 digits? I suspect it might just be a generation/version.

    2 - Are MPDs plug and play replacements or some kind of programming required to match with the ECM? I assume they come with default display pages and know the pages can be customized with SW but need to be uploaded with special CAT SW?

    I've researched other options like the VMH70 but they don't show 100% of the data of the MPD.
  2. Capt J, Jul 21, 2025 at 5:19 PM
    #2
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Call a CAT dealer. Gaugesavers might be able to fix the screen.
  3. Bayhouse, Jul 22, 2025 at 12:25 PM
    #3
    Bayhouse

    Bayhouse New Member

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    Found an MPD on eBay for a "reasonable" price and went that direction.

    Gaugesavers can fix the burn and vertical lines, but told me they can't fix horizontal lines.
  4. PtJudeRI, Jul 23, 2025 at 9:26 AM
    #4
    PtJudeRI

    PtJudeRI Senior Member

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    Pt. Judith, RI
    I lucked out and bought one ( i Should have bought both!) on an ebay sale that came off a 58 riviera. It was plug and play from the original wiring harness. Only difference was the menu sequence was a bit off. It read the data and picked it right up though.

    Second the idea of Gaugesavers if you can't find a replacement unit.

    The other option would be tying your data into the electronics or a similar solution. For the CAT MFD, you would need:
    - J1939 to Nmea2000 converter (Maretron or similar)
    - Accessory converter cable, Deutsch 12 pin to Converter.
    - Electronics to read/display data ( modern MFD, or something like an onboard computer running BBN / KIP)
    Last edited: Jul 23, 2025 at 9:32 AM
  5. Bayhouse, Jul 23, 2025 at 3:51 PM
    #5
    Bayhouse

    Bayhouse New Member

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    Thank you for that confirmation! Actually, Google AI told me the same thing (but can you really trust AI ;))

    I use the YachtDevices gateway to pump the J1939 data onto the N2K backbone and have a GREAT page on my 19" Furuno TZT3's. I'll switch to it now and then and rely on the MPD's otherwise.

    Every device that I looked at, including my Furuno's and the VMH70 have a limited set of J1939 values that they pass. For example, I don't get Trip data (fuel, hours) on the Furuno (and we've asked for it several times) and neither device has any of the lifetime values (e.g., hours, fuel, etc.).
  6. Capt Ralph, Jul 23, 2025 at 6:11 PM
    #6
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Before I start typing aweigh; Are we working on a Hatterass with their PC based "Ships Monitor" involved?