Smartcraft problem

G

gregman

New Member
Nov 12, 2007
3
San Antonio
Boat Info
2007 Sundeck 220
Engines
300 w/Alpha
I encountered an odd problem this weekend, most of my SmartCraft cluster went dead, with the exception of the Tach, which worked, however the Smartcraft system readout on the Tach was blank. I suspect electrical and I was going to start checking the connections. Any other thoughts? I could not find a Smartcraft or cluster fuse. Thanks.
 
if everything is connected that is all you can do.
you will need mechanic with diagnostic laptop or borrow gauge from someone. there is only few things what can go bad: engine computer (expensive), harness, gauge, junction box (if installed on boat) and sometimes terminating resistor on engine harness. because tach works I assume that engine computer is ok. very likely lcd display went "kaput" and whole gauge needs to be replaced (usually over $300)
 
Thanks for the reply. The odd thing is that the analog Tach worked AND the backlighting on the tac and Smartcraft LCD panel worked, however, the LCD panel was blank. The other analog gauges, Speedo, oil pressure temp etc, did not work nor did they have backlighting. May have to turn this one over to the experts.
 
First off, the whole Smartcraft system is digital. That the engine runs means the PCM is fine. That you get some data means that the network is fine. SC is a networked system, so it is all data, or no data. Since you are getting some data, it suggests the instruments at the end of the chain are having problems. I don't think it is a source problem as many of the items shown in the LCD display are based on transducers necessary for the engine to run. If they were bad the engine wouldn't run, or run very badly.

It sounds like your tach is going bad. However, I'm not sure as our SC system uses a different tach. The only possibility that would allow your tach to be ok would be if it is possible to completely shut off the LCD display. If it is not possible to shut of the LCD display, then the tach is going.

Henry
 
The first thing I would do is re-seat (disconnect and then reconnect) the main smartcraft cable on the back of the instruments as well as the other small connector on that line. You may also have jumper cables between the instruments that you could re-seat as well. If that doesn't fix it then your best bet is to get a Tech to look at it.

Dave
 
Henry Boyd said:
First off, the whole Smartcraft system is digital. That the engine runs means the PCM is fine..............

Henry
Click to expand...


it is partialy true. whole system is digital, but you can actualy blow "Smartcraft part" of PCM and still have engine perfectly running with no single gauge on dash.
 
boatmailster said:
it is partialy true. whole system is digital, but you can actualy blow "Smartcraft part" of PCM and still have engine perfectly running with no single gauge on dash.
Click to expand...

What can cause that? For a complete gauge only failure that would mean some kind of disconnect between the segment of the PCM that is processing the data for engine management and the sub-system (SmartCraft?) that is forwarding it to the CAN network right? In a sense the equivalent to a break in the cable rigging?

However, before we get off track, the OP stated he was getting some, but not all data, so wouldn't that indicate a failure in the tach over a failure in the PCM?

Henry
 
Henry.............he may have a problem with the tach especially since his LED readout isn't working. But this problem sounds suspiciously like a cable connect issue and I think he needs to check that first.

On mine, the smartcraft cable itself plugs into the tach. There are jumper wires to the other gauges. The smartcraft cable is a multi-pin connector so I would suggest re-seating the cable in the event it is not seated properly or maybe it has picked up some corrosion. Same thing with the jumpers. It will only take a few minutes to remove the gauge panel to do this.

Dave
 
Henry Boyd said:
What can cause that? For a complete gauge only failure that would mean some kind of disconnect between the segment of the PCM that is processing the data for engine management and the sub-system (SmartCraft?) that is forwarding it to the CAN network right? In a sense the equivalent to a break in the cable rigging?

However, before we get off track, the OP stated he was getting some, but not all data, so wouldn't that indicate a failure in the tach over a failure in the PCM?

Henry
Click to expand...

I've seen this a lot after thunderstorms. I suspect current from lightning in water close to boat causing partial failure of PCM (5 volts side fails), but could be other reason. Failure of lcd display is also common and sometimes when exposed to direct sunlight for long time it stop working and "comes back to live" after cooled down - but this is a sign that this display will permanently fail in near future.
 
Thanks for all the input, I will check the cable connections this week and post my findings. Perfect excuse to get out to the Marina and hang with the boat.
 
I have just experienced what i think is the same problem. Analog tachometer works, everything else (speedometer, fuel, etc) is dead. The funny thing is when I went on the boat from my previous trip where everything worked, the other gauges (speed, fuel etc) were "locked" in their previous position when I turned off the boat.When I turned on the boat the gauges all went dead. Boat operated normally and tach worked.

DEfinitely want to try and save the $120/hr labor charge. Help!
 
I experienced the same problem on my new 2007 260 Sundeck. My dealer fixed it the first time as the main smartcraft connection was loose. However, the problem happened again so the technician replaced the tach which has now fixed the problem.
 
Gregman - any luck fixing the problem? I have the same problem and have not had time to remove guage panel and check connections.
 
I have a 330 sundancer,with 350 mags, Engines run fine computers check out fine
smart craft tachs speedo and gauges dead. All twin engines use stbd engine as primary, so whats going on?? all connections seated
 
Thanks for the tips. They were spot-on. Re-seated the cables and all is well. strange problem though - cable connections seemed snug. It may be that the SmartGauge needs a re-boot - i.e.reset power
 
I had same problem. All gauges were not working with exception of the tach. I was at idle for a little and it all just went dead. After we got back to the marina I checked all connections and couldn't find anything. When all esle failed I turned off and disconnected the batteries, then reconnected, and it all powered up again. Maybe there is an underlying problem but it has worked fine since.
 
My smartcraft shut down after riding in rough water. I returned back to my dock. The only gauge that worked was the tach. My other equipment worked, bilge pump, bilge blower lights etc.
That night I went down to cover the boat and noticed the tach light on so I turned off the battery.

Next morning turned battery back on and smartcraft turned on- all gauges worked and it went thru the system check. Funny thing though now my other equipment is not turning on ( bilge pump, blower, lights horn, water pump etc. They work on toggle switches. Is there a breaker some where. I already checked the fuses and connections. They are all ok.

despondent 2008 240 sundeck. 5.0 l

Thanks for needed help
 
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We took a 20 mile trip to our favourite beach today. Halfway there, the oil pressure, engine temperature, and voltage gauges in my port 4-in-one gauge went to their "off" position. The readings for all of these sensors were fine in the SC2500. The fuel level gauge still showed the correct reading in the 4-in-one.

After some fun at the beach for a few hours, the gauge worked properly on the way home.

Weird.

Reminds me of my car (a German sedan) computer, where every once in a while certain functions (like the stereo or steering wheel position controls) stop working all together, then work properly the next time the car is started.

Dealer can never recreate the issues, and even when I show them video from my cell phone of the navigation screen doing wonky stuff, they still can't admit anything is wrong.

Damn computers. I guess we blame Bill Gates.
 
Also I have experienced the same problem, all displays but the "analog" Tach is dead. I bought the boat this summer and it started with low V on the batteries, and the Tach LCD blinking black / white. The LCD indicated all kind of problems and finshed with "Lost contact with engine" and went off. Charged both batteries during the night and reconnected. At first the Tach continued to blink but when i was about to check the cables all of a sudden everything started to work. A few weeks later the Tach went dead ("analog" working), and the following week the Speedometer. At that time both batteries needed to be charged again. Have charged both batteries again and disconnected and reconnected all cables at all ends. Does not seem to be a problem with corrosion...
 
JanneP said:
Also I have experienced the same problem, all displays but the "analog" Tach is dead. I bought the boat this summer and it started with low V on the batteries, and the Tach LCD blinking black / white. The LCD indicated all kind of problems and finshed with "Lost contact with engine" and went off. Charged both batteries during the night and reconnected. At first the Tach continued to blink but when i was about to check the cables all of a sudden everything started to work. A few weeks later the Tach went dead ("analog" working), and the following week the Speedometer. At that time both batteries needed to be charged again. Have charged both batteries again and disconnected and reconnected all cables at all ends. Does not seem to be a problem with corrosion...
Click to expand...

Just been in contact with two Mercury service guys. The first one said that it is impossible to take out the meters and test them, they need to be mounted on the boat...? and that most likely they are finished and needs to be replaced, you cant repair the LCD display.... (the engine has been used 50 hours). In Sweden that is just above 1 300 USD..

The second one said that it might be a problem with the rectifier on the engine, which might cause both the problem with the battery discharging (master switches has been off) as well as the smartcraft problems.

Will leave the boat with the second one within a week.
 
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