Engine Hour Meter Erroneous Readings

[lwasouth]

Currently am between boats. Am looking at a "New to me" 12 year old boat with twin inboard engines. Boat looks good, but the engine hour meters, read more hours than could possibly be on the engines. ie. 25000 + and 5000+. What would cause this to happen, when they should be around 4 to 7 hundred only.

[David M]

The hour meter might be running when the ignition switch is turned off. Have you checked that?