Another Alarm Question

[kkalsch]

Mercrusier 4.3 MPI Alpha I Gen II drives -Here is the history: had this problem last year but because my shift cables where bad I thought that it was causing the alarm -well its not-I changed the shift cables (cured the port side stalling engine problem) The alarm will only come on about 2000 rpm -if you idle or keep the engine under 2000 rpm the alarm will not go off (port side engine only) if you shut the engine down it resets the system and again as long as you keep the rpm's below 2000 no alarm -I have changed water pressure sensor (on the power steering cooler) and the water pump ... the alarm beeps every 4-5 minutes
Any suggestions -or just go buy the $500 diagnostic tool (maybe the engine knock sensor?)

Ken

 

[Lazy Daze]

No Smartcraft, right?

Shift cables would not throw an alarm. There's only a few things that would. Directly related to the engine are: oil pressure, engine temp and drive fluid. How are each of those? Because it's intermittent, and assuming it's working correctly, that would eliminate the first two.

Other possibilities could be a high water alarm (not sure if you have that) and CO monitor.

 

[kkalsch]

2003 -I not sure on the smart craft -there is no digital read out on the dash-its not intermittent-any time you go over 2000 rpm the alarm goes off -oil presure,engine temp,drive fluid, all good. The reason I thought the cables might throw the alarm -I read a thread here that the shift interrupter switch went bad and threw an alarm -bad shift? not my case

 

[Lazy Daze]

the alarm beeps every 4-5 minutes

Can you clarify? I'm still not sure if you mean intermittent or not?

Do you have a high water alarm?

To eliminate a variable... disconnect your CO monitor.

How do the tops of the risers physically feel? Can you keep your hand on them?

It could be a failing temp/pressure sensor, as well. These are different than what control your gauges. These control the alarm, only. Try swapping between engines.

 

[kkalsch]

Can you clarify? I'm still not sure if you mean intermittent or not?

Do you have a high water alarm?

To eliminate a variable... disconnect your CO monitor.

How do the tops of the risers physically feel? Can you keep your hand on them?

It could be a failing temp/pressure sensor, as well. These are different than what control your gauges. These control the alarm, only. Try swapping between engines.

Ok -sorry -when the alarm is tripped it beeps every 4 minutes on the mark (not at random times)
I am not sure -if I have a high water alarm or not -would that be reset if you only shut the port side engine down?
How do you disconnect the CO monitor
I just replaced both manifolds and risers on both engines and yes you can keep you hands on them
I had this problem last year before I did any work on the boat

 

[jason78]

2003 -I not sure on the smart craft -there is no digital read out on the dash-its not intermittent-any time you go over 2000 rpm the alarm goes off -oil presure,engine temp,drive fluid, all good. The reason I thought the cables might throw the alarm -I read a thread here that the shift interrupter switch went bad and threw an alarm -bad shift? not my case

Being an 03 it is probably Smartcraft capable (ECM555) just not equipped with the Smartcraft gauges. For some reason those did not seem to come on Sea Rays until 2004. I wish you were closer, I would let you borrow my scanner. Is there a pattern to the beeps at all? Somewhere here is a table that shows what different beep patterns mean. I will try and find it to post here.

 

[jason78]

I checked the Service Manual #36 for ECM555 and dont see any alarms listed at 4 minute intervals. Can you please confirm whether you have 4.3MPI engines or 4.3EFI? That will make a difference here. The 4.3EFI has an earlier controller, MEFI3, I think.

Edit: Never mind, I just saw MPI in your earlier post. I was looking at your profile before.

 

[Lazy Daze]

The ECM (computer) is definitely SC capable... it's just a matter of whether or not all the sensors are installed. If Jason is right (and he very well could be - there's no rhyme or reason as to why one boat would have the sensors installed and another not, even if they both do not have SC gauges), then you should look (search) for that SC cheat sheet. Since it's every 4 minutes on the dot, it does indeed sound like what Jason is referring to.

I have a different CO monitor than you, but I believe the basic procedure is the same... remove the cover and disconnect the "quick connect" wire. This may not be the issue, but it at least eliminates a variable.

EDIT: Jason, he'll definitely have an MPI. 2001-ish was the changeover.

 

[kkalsch]

I checked the Service Manual #36 for ECM555 and dont see any alarms listed at 4 minute intervals. Can you please confirm whether you have 4.3MPI engines or 4.3EFI? That will make a difference here. The 4.3EFI has an earlier controller, MEFI3, I think.

Jason -its an MPI -and I apologize I am estimating at the 4 minutes -it could be 3- 5 but its constant intervals once the alarm is tripped. The alarm does not stay on constant when tripped

 

[Bob & Sue]

Ok -sorry -when the alarm is tripped it beeps every 4 minutes on the mark (not at random times)
I am not sure -if I have a high water alarm or not -would that be reset if you only shut the port side engine down?
How do you disconnect the CO monitor
I just replaced both manifolds and risers on both engines and yes you can keep you hands on them
I had this problem last year before I did any work on the boat

You should be able to remove the cover on CO monitor the power plug will be next to the green light. I had a similar problem last year it was the CO monitor had a window come open in the cockpit for the forward berth letting CO in. Close the cabin door CO can come in slowing down depending on wind.
It's just a matter of elimination one sensor at a time.

 

[jason78]

See post #2 here for the Smartcraft (ECM555) Alarm Reference

http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/36224-Mercruiser-5-0-Going-into-Guardian-Mode

 

[Lazy Daze]

I am estimating at the 4 minutes -it could be 3- 5 but its constant intervals once the alarm is tripped. The alarm does not stay on constant when tripped

OK. We're bouncing back and forth a bit here... but it's getting better :smt001

If it's an engine alarm, it will have some type of continuity to it. Whether it's a solid tone or a beep. If it's a beep it'll go off at a "consistent" interval. It won't vary.

Another reason for the CO going off is low voltage. You might check the owner's manual for the CO alarm, I'm not sure if it starts to go off when it needs replacing. That 4-5 minute range is about the time interval for a CO alarm.

 

[kkalsch]

Thank you for all the responses -I was hoping for a quick fix but have realized I need to be more specific to solve this problem. So... next weekend is only 4 days away and I will have more accurate information

 

[kkalsch]

Just a follow up....the alarm was the smart-craft -I switched all the easy items with the other motor (IAC valve -water pressure sensor off the power steering cooler and the knock sensor) no change -still got the alarm . I read on other forum where they had the same problem and after changing all the same sensors they finnally had the engine scanned . It turned out to be the shift indactor on the shift plate -because it was broken smart-craft thought the engine was in nuteral and once it hit a certain RPM would trigger the alarm -so I bought a new shift indicator (this is not the same as the shift interruption its right next to it) and it fixed the problem! No more alarm -life is good once again!!

 

[Lazy Daze]

Well that's a new one. Granted, I'm not in the shop every day, but I can't say I've heard much about that going bad. But, that's probably why it was so difficult to figure out.

I got to say, I'm VERY surprised that you have the Smartcraft sensors but no Smartcraft gauge... What does the LCD readout say in your tach's (maybe speedo)? Or, do either of those three (tach's, speedo) have three buttons underneath the LCD?

 

[jason78]

Thanks for reporting back on what the actual problem was! Glad you got it fixed!

I got to say, I'm VERY surprised that you have the Smartcraft sensors but no Smartcraft gauge... What does the LCD readout say in your tach's (maybe speedo)? Or, do either of those three (tach's, speedo) have three buttons underneath the LCD?

Dennis, based on my observations, Sea Ray started installing ECM555 MPI engines in the 2002 Model Year (possibly as early as late 2001MY) however they did not start installing the Smartcraft gauges, displays, etc. until the 2004 model year. I can only speculate that maybe there were some develompent delays from Merc on the display side of things that pushed it out or maybe Sea Ray just needed to clear their back stock of analog gauges?

 

[Lazy Daze]

I can only speculate that maybe there were some develompent delays from Merc on the display side of things that pushed it out or maybe Sea Ray just needed to clear their back stock of analog gauges?

Yeah, I dunno. Although, the analog gauges would still have been useful on carb'd boats. But, really, you're guess is as good as mine.:huh: Smartcraft was a joint venture between Merc and SR so I'd be surprised if a delay was involved... but again... :huh: :smt001

 

[kkalsch]

Dennis -I have analog gauges -they are no buttons or readout-and its all original -but there is a stinking alarm.........

 

[Lazy Daze]

Dennis -I have analog gauges -they are no buttons or readout-and its all original -but there is a stinking alarm.........

You must at least have an hour meter?

That's crazy - having the sensors, but no way to monitor what the alarm means is ridiculous. The only way for you to know, for sure, is to have it scanned.

I don't know much about adding a standalone SC gauge, but if it was me, I'd probably look into adding that. It does add both functionality along with some cool features like fuel burn.

But... here's where it gets confusing. SC works on 5v. A standard gauge (like fuel) works on 12v. If those truly are analog gauges, then you won't have the SC-compatible fuel sending unit. **NOTE: A "digital", SC fuel gauge looks just like a typical gauge (still has a needle)**. So, now we have to wonder exactly what is installed on your boat - maybe a little bit of both?

 

[kkalsch]

You must at least have an hour meter?
. So, now we have to wonder exactly what is installed on your boat - maybe a little bit of both?

The hour meter's are in the tach's and are digital -just like my 2000 240 was -who knows what I got??