Systems Monitor "Data Link Failure" Message
- Thread starter 320Bob
- Start date
boatmailster
Well-Known Member
there is possible 3 reasons for that message. Faulty (corroded ends etc) coaxial cable going from module to display - cheap to repair and before you run cable behind walls you can run it externally to see if message goes away. Bad display or bad module. I don't think there is a way to diagnose those without swapping with working parts.
I had a "Data Link Error" message come up on my systems monitor panel due to a faulty crimp connection on the black ground wire where it connected to the boat's ground (which was simply piggy-backed on a rocker switch ground on a different panel). Trace that black wire on the back of the panel and make sure it is secure and snug in the crimp and the connection is good where ever it connects to...
Thanks guys for the info on ways to fix it but I have a more fundamental question about what does this systems monitor actually do since everything else electronic on the boat seems to be working fine?
There are a whole bunch of sensors on your boat that are tied into the Systems monitor... like the bilge pump warnings... mine has exhaust temp connections and some other stuff. Not sure what smartcraft covers... but on my boat if that systems monitor is not working, I have no idea if the bilge pumps are coming on or not... and if a high-water pump comes on, the system monitor will give an audible warning as well. I felt "naked" when that thing stopped working for me... and you don't want to see me naked.
Definitely agree on that point.:thumbsup: But if I understand your post you do not have SmartCraft on your boat so I have perhaps additional diagnostics that you don't as a result. On my boat, there is a manual bilge switch on the dash that will light up if the bilge runs for instance if I come off plane too quickly and water washes in off the back. I won't have access to qualified Sea Ray/Mercruiser techs until next season when I move to another marina. So what is my risk of not getting this fix before my boat is pulled out of the water for the season within the next two weeks?
That's another problem you need to get fixed. Coming off plane to quickly should not put water in your bilge.
skolbe
Well-Known Member
- Oct 3, 2006
- 3,549
- Boat Info
- 320 Sundancer, Zodiac 290 Wave Inflatable Tohatsu 6HP, Boston Whaler 130 Sport
- Engines
- 350 Mag V-Drive - Kohler 5ecd
You are coming off plane way to fast if that is getting water in your bilge. I usually drop down to about 2500 rpm's and slowly start pulling back the throttles.
I believe the source of water in the bilge was due to an unclamped hose from the engine into the muffler. Several weeks ago I opened the engine hatch and started the engines to show a guest. He spotted some water dipping from one of the hoses which had it's two hose clamps hanging loose. The marina mechanic apparently forgot to refasten the clamps after loosening/removing the hose to get at the generator several weeks earlier. Since the hose has been reclamped properly, I have not noticed the bilge pump coming on when I get off of plane even fairly quickly. I usually do as you suggest by dropping it to around 2300-2500 to come off plane but then drop it gradually from there.
skolbe
Well-Known Member
- Oct 3, 2006
- 3,549
- Boat Info
- 320 Sundancer, Zodiac 290 Wave Inflatable Tohatsu 6HP, Boston Whaler 130 Sport
- Engines
- 350 Mag V-Drive - Kohler 5ecd
Probably the water is hitting the float switch as you are coming off plane - causing the pump to kick on.
I had a chance to check out the connections to System Monitors display two days ago. There are three wires and a coax connected to the unit. The connections appear to be tight at all points. According to the wiring diagrams in my owner's manual, the red and black wires go to the bilge wiring harness while the blue wire is for the back light of the unit. The light is fine and apparently is wired directly to the battery since it stays on when the battery switches are turned off. The wiring diagram did not indicate what the red and black wires are. Is one the ground wire Gary was referring to that was his problem? I didn't get a chance to check the coax connection to the System Monitor module in the engine compartment but if it is tight, then do I assume the problem is with the module? If I need to replace it, what does it cost? If it's $200 or less I might just go ahead and replace it since most likely it will cost me at least that much to have a Sea Ray tech check it out. I am assuming the display unit is just for display and has no other function. Again if I am wrong on this let me know.
boatmailster
Well-Known Member
dont assume anything. if you can, run external coax cable from display to bilge module to make sure that cable is not a problem. many times corrosion on coax cable and cable ends cause link error
Thanks, when I go back out to the boat this week I'll bring a coax cable and check this out.
I connected a new 12' coax to the display and the module in the EC but it didn't restore the data link so something else is causing the problem. I will just have to wait until the Spring when I can have a Sea Ray tech at Northpoint Harbor check it out. Thanks all for your suggestions.:thumbsup:
mistercomputerman
Well-Known Member
- Jan 6, 2008
- 4,321
- Boat Info
- 410 Sundancer - 2001
- Engines
- Twin 8.1L Mercruisers - 2009
It's his ground... he's just not listening...
pointless.
pointless.
mistercomputerman
Well-Known Member
- Jan 6, 2008
- 4,321
- Boat Info
- 410 Sundancer - 2001
- Engines
- Twin 8.1L Mercruisers - 2009
That happens.
I heard you loud and clear and the ground may very well be the issue but I simply don't have the skills to fix it.
The part pictured doesn't appear to be the same as what's on my boat which is rectangular rather than square with specific holes cut in the dash for the wires and screws. At $275 it's more than a couple of hours of tech labor to check out the problem which may be the ground as Gary believes. I could replace the coax cable but I just don't have the skills to determine what is the ground and how to fix it. Thanks for finding the part and giving me some idea of what the costs will be if I have to replace it.
Well Gary, good guess, but the ground was not the problem, it was the Systems Monitor unit that was bad. I had Skipper Bud's check out all connections and the unit still didn't work. When they connected a test unit, it work fine, which is how they concluded it was the DDU. So thanks for the suggestion, since if it were the problem it would have only cost $60 to repair it instead of $275+ to replace the unit.
Mistercomputerman, thanks for the link to fpmarine.com for the unit since it also had a diagnostic procedure that indicated the problem was either a bad coax connection or the Systems Monitor DDU. It also mentioned that the interface module which is in the bilge is not longer replaceable. I am glad it was the DDU since that part can be replaced.
https://www.searay-parts.com/articles.asp?ID=239
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