Trying to locate the System Monitor Module

[e32568]

I have a 2002 380 Sundancer with twin 8.1 mercs. The System Monitor LCD panel displays the message: Data Link Failure/ Alarm Systems Offline. I want to check the coax cable that connects the LCD panel to the 'Bilge Interface Module'. My problem is that I can't find the Bilge Interface Module' I've looked all through the bilge areas but can't locate it. I've tried to follow the coax from the LCD panel but it disappears under the dash.

Can anyone help me locate the BIM?
Thanks.

 

[Four Suns]

I had that exact same error message on my 480 DB a few years ago... Not a good feeling when you don't know if the bilge pumps are coming on or not. My module is down in the bilge next to the engines mounted on a bulkhead. I think the engine room layout in the schematic in my owner's manual gave the location so you may want to look there.

My problem ended up being the ground wire from the display at the helm had come loose from it's connection. The wire had a crimp connector with a spade disconnect on it and was piggy-backed to a ground on the back of one of the switches on my primary helm switch panel. It "looked" ok but when I pulled the wire, it just fell out of the crimp jacket.... redid the crimp and it worked perfectly after that.... So if I were you, not only would I check the coax crimps, but trace the ground wire on the LCD display and make sure it is working. The entire unit gets it's ground from that wire.

 

[e32568]

Thanks for responding. I thought the same thing about the monitor being mounted on the bulkhead- but it's not there and I have going over the electrical schematics and it just doesn't appear on them either (although the schematic does show
'plug #40' as the connection to the device. I will check the ground as you suggested and let you know what I find. Thanks Again.