sejensen737
Active Member
thanks...when the Searay techs were here 10 days ago they used a mercruiser scanner. No faults. I was very surprised that it did not pick up a code indicating there was no spark to plugs
8.1 Mercruiser Problems
- Thread starter sejensen737
- Start date
scoflaw
Well-Known Member
- Aug 10, 2011
- 6,395
- Boat Info
- 1999 Powerquest legend 260 sx 502 mag
2005 Baja 242 islander 496
- Engines
- 502 mpi Bravo 1
496 mag B1
There is no code for that, just have to work with what it does.
Chris-380
Well-Known Member
They finally got to “it’s $xxx but we think that’s the issue” and it was…. Not sure but I recall $500-700 was the ballpark price on the harness/cable
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sejensen737
Active Member
anyone know what"fuel level 2 circuit high" means?
scoflaw
Well-Known Member
- Aug 10, 2011
- 6,395
- Boat Info
- 1999 Powerquest legend 260 sx 502 mag
2005 Baja 242 islander 496
- Engines
- 502 mpi Bravo 1
496 mag B1
means nothing, the same with the 1st 3 or 4 codes. pitot etc.
sejensen737
Active Member
scoflaw...that's what I thought
Rinda did not offer any clues as to what the problem is
Rinda did not offer any clues as to what the problem is
scoflaw
Well-Known Member
- Aug 10, 2011
- 6,395
- Boat Info
- 1999 Powerquest legend 260 sx 502 mag
2005 Baja 242 islander 496
- Engines
- 502 mpi Bravo 1
496 mag B1
Is that todays news or when those 2 guys were there?
Were they trying to solve the no spark?
Were they trying to solve the no spark?
sejensen737
Active Member
That's todays news
The other 2 techs were not aware there was no spark. They were focusing on fuel. To be fair , that was a reasonable pathway because the engine had run initially on spring launch , but ran like crap although it was not running at all when they came to look at my problem. They did have me swap cam sensors but at no time did they verify spark. I wanted to do so by using ether but they were against doing so. I thought at the time that their scanner would have told them if there was a no spark condition so I didn't push it. I know differently now. It wasn't until they left that I tried ether and when there was no firing I confirmed no spark by removing a couple of plugs and cranking.
The techs left saying that they were going to send the data from the scanner to a "regional rep" and that was the last I heard from them 10 days ago.
I am surprised that both the Rinda and Mercruiser scanners do not verify spark or PCM operation.
The other 2 techs were not aware there was no spark. They were focusing on fuel. To be fair , that was a reasonable pathway because the engine had run initially on spring launch , but ran like crap although it was not running at all when they came to look at my problem. They did have me swap cam sensors but at no time did they verify spark. I wanted to do so by using ether but they were against doing so. I thought at the time that their scanner would have told them if there was a no spark condition so I didn't push it. I know differently now. It wasn't until they left that I tried ether and when there was no firing I confirmed no spark by removing a couple of plugs and cranking.
The techs left saying that they were going to send the data from the scanner to a "regional rep" and that was the last I heard from them 10 days ago.
I am surprised that both the Rinda and Mercruiser scanners do not verify spark or PCM operation.
scoflaw
Well-Known Member
- Aug 10, 2011
- 6,395
- Boat Info
- 1999 Powerquest legend 260 sx 502 mag
2005 Baja 242 islander 496
- Engines
- 502 mpi Bravo 1
496 mag B1
It verifies quite a bit of pcm function. Injector test would verify power and ground but I believe the pcm has multiple grounds. Did that happen today? what about the coil test? Pulling a plug and testing for spark is not the correct way to do that. Fuel injected Harley's won't show spark like that. You should put a spark tester in between the plug and wire. 1 of the self tests was commanding the tack to show 3k, did it do that?
sejensen737
Active Member
The techs verified injector operation 10 days ago. We did not do so today.
I can buy a spark tester but regarding spark , I pulled a plug from the starboard engine just to remind myself what a healthy spark should look like. Very distinct blue result so I think it is a reasonable test.
I did not see a self test of 3k on the Rinda but that doesn't mean it wasn't in there somewhere
I can buy a spark tester but regarding spark , I pulled a plug from the starboard engine just to remind myself what a healthy spark should look like. Very distinct blue result so I think it is a reasonable test.
I did not see a self test of 3k on the Rinda but that doesn't mean it wasn't in there somewhere
bfernald0
Well-Known Member
- May 18, 2020
- 411
- Boat Info
- 340 Sundancer 2001
- Engines
- 8.2L Mercruiser ECT Horizons
What a nightmare. You will get it eventually, and it will likely turn out to be something ridiculously simple. Watching this thread with great interest. Can't wait for the 'we fixed it'!
bfernald0
Well-Known Member
- May 18, 2020
- 411
- Boat Info
- 340 Sundancer 2001
- Engines
- 8.2L Mercruiser ECT Horizons
Going to add something. Call the guy at https://obd2allinone.com. If I recall correctly, his name is Ken. He's in Redondo Beach, California, and is an expert on the marine engine ECMs--especially the MEFI ECMs, although his site makes reference to the 555's too.
Not to add to the war stories, but I had a 7.4 MPI in my last boat. The goddamn thing would not turn over 3200 RPM. We changed plug wires, distributor, props, exhaust, etc. etc. Nothing worked. Was turned on to this guy. He sent me the software and we ran the boat logging everything and sent it back to him. He analyzed it and advised that the ECM was showing a lower than normal atmospheric pressure (higher vacuum) in the intake manifold. After confirming that the MAP sensor was showing the same as outside atmospheric pressure at key on, he advised that something had to be blocking the intake. Took apart the throttle body, cleaned it all up. Same result. I was about ready to just scuttle the boat.
On a whim one night, I took off the flame arrestor. Goddamn thing ran up to 4400 RPM. 6 months of messing with it, and it was a corroded flame arrestor (looked fine from the outside). In any event, Ken was spot on with respect to the diagnosis based on the data. The engine was not getting enough air due to the clogged flame arrestor, which was causing lower than normal atmospheric pressure (higher vacuum) in the intake manifold.
The problem here is that the computer is likely not going to tell you what's wrong, but given Ken's experience with these ECMs, maybe he's got an idea. He turned out to be a lifesaver for me. A nice guy who was happy to assist. Maybe he has a tidbit of information that might help.
I'm sure you've already done this, but I've found the Merc Techs at the 972 number in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin are great. A few old timers that really know their stuff and are more than happy to chat.
Good luck!
Not to add to the war stories, but I had a 7.4 MPI in my last boat. The goddamn thing would not turn over 3200 RPM. We changed plug wires, distributor, props, exhaust, etc. etc. Nothing worked. Was turned on to this guy. He sent me the software and we ran the boat logging everything and sent it back to him. He analyzed it and advised that the ECM was showing a lower than normal atmospheric pressure (higher vacuum) in the intake manifold. After confirming that the MAP sensor was showing the same as outside atmospheric pressure at key on, he advised that something had to be blocking the intake. Took apart the throttle body, cleaned it all up. Same result. I was about ready to just scuttle the boat.
On a whim one night, I took off the flame arrestor. Goddamn thing ran up to 4400 RPM. 6 months of messing with it, and it was a corroded flame arrestor (looked fine from the outside). In any event, Ken was spot on with respect to the diagnosis based on the data. The engine was not getting enough air due to the clogged flame arrestor, which was causing lower than normal atmospheric pressure (higher vacuum) in the intake manifold.
The problem here is that the computer is likely not going to tell you what's wrong, but given Ken's experience with these ECMs, maybe he's got an idea. He turned out to be a lifesaver for me. A nice guy who was happy to assist. Maybe he has a tidbit of information that might help.
I'm sure you've already done this, but I've found the Merc Techs at the 972 number in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin are great. A few old timers that really know their stuff and are more than happy to chat.
Good luck!
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sejensen737
Active Member
thanks bfernald0
bfernald0
Well-Known Member
- May 18, 2020
- 411
- Boat Info
- 340 Sundancer 2001
- Engines
- 8.2L Mercruiser ECT Horizons
I feel your pain ;-)
sejensen737
Active Member
Called Fond du Lac...they only help mercruiser dealers
The obd2 guy steered me to Simon Motorsports. They were unable to give me any ideas. I did learn that they refurbish pcm 555 for $650 which seems reasonable to me.
The obd2 guy steered me to Simon Motorsports. They were unable to give me any ideas. I did learn that they refurbish pcm 555 for $650 which seems reasonable to me.
bfernald0
Well-Known Member
- May 18, 2020
- 411
- Boat Info
- 340 Sundancer 2001
- Engines
- 8.2L Mercruiser ECT Horizons
Oh well.
As an aside, I've never had much luck replacing the PCM. It's almost never the PCM.
bfernald0
Well-Known Member
- May 18, 2020
- 411
- Boat Info
- 340 Sundancer 2001
- Engines
- 8.2L Mercruiser ECT Horizons
While it didn't end up being the PCM, one thing I've done in the past is swapped out the PCM with one from the other engine.
Mig22
Active Member
- Apr 24, 2016
- 112
- Boat Info
- 2000 - 340
2001 - 340
Current 2001 - 380
- Engines
- 8.1 S Horizons
Concur PCM is very unlikely. You can try swapping, more likely a sensor is not sending communication to the PCM telling it what it needs to fire. Where has the boat lived it’s life ?? ..corrosion could be a culprit.
sejensen737
Active Member
mig22...boat has spent 10 of its 16 years in freshwater. There is NO corrosion in any of the connectors. I wish there was...
All important sensors (crank , cam) have been swapped along with PCM.
All important sensors (crank , cam) have been swapped along with PCM.
sejensen737
Active Member
Frick...the plot thickens
Switched helm ignition switches (destroying fake wood bezel in the process) Anyone have an extra?
Moving on...After switching ignition switches I get a beep on first detent then when pushing second detent , no starter operation. Starboard engine starts fine with previous port engine ignition switch.
Did I blow starter CB? No. switched those over and works fine in starboard engine. I can jump port engine starter solenoid and starter does operate.
Now what?
Can anyone tell me EXACTLY which each of these relays do?
Switched helm ignition switches (destroying fake wood bezel in the process) Anyone have an extra?
Moving on...After switching ignition switches I get a beep on first detent then when pushing second detent , no starter operation. Starboard engine starts fine with previous port engine ignition switch.
Did I blow starter CB? No. switched those over and works fine in starboard engine. I can jump port engine starter solenoid and starter does operate.
Now what?
Can anyone tell me EXACTLY which each of these relays do?
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