zeus error code

[Boatweiser]

Looking for some help...
Took my new to me 09 43 Sundancer w 480's out twice this weekend. Both times after extended (5-10 min) periods at idle speed my vessel view smartcraft thre 2 alarm codes: of course I dont remember exactly what they were! Something about joystick unavailable. When I went to power up the starboard engine seemed tobe running in a fail safemode not allowed to turn more tha 1800 rpm. Anyone had this issue? Any guidance? Each time a simple restart including shutting off the ignition keys cleared the issue.

At the same time a raymarine issue came up with a DSM signal loss. The raymarine issue would last a seond or two before clearing itself but come setting off the alarm and throwing the message every 3 minutes. Redaing online tells me this can be a power issue but my batteries are reading strong and it was consistently happening while i was testing it on shore power? Thoughts?

 

[Red Stripe]

Obviously without knowing the code it's just a guessing game as there are many sets of circumstances that could force the safe mode. There is always the possibility of some unknown anomaly that could trip it up with a reset being all that's needed. The easiest cause to diagnose and potentially remedy is fluid levels falling below the sensors' safe thresholds. You should be doing daily fluid checks for each of your pods' three fluid reservoirs, not just the visible gear lube oil. Your alarm history should show you the fault code if it wasn't somehow cleared. My only thought regarding the simultaneous loss of your unrelated DSM signal is that perhaps a voltage drop somehow affected those two things. But that's a total shot in the dark.

It is for this very reason that I am a huge advocate of working the joystick before releasing the lines or entering a fairway. If it is going to fail it will most likely happen when first engaged (not a hard and fast rule) and it's obviously best to know ahead of time. Of course, a loss of hydraulic pressure when accelerating with the sticks could also send you to safety mode and disable the joystick.
Lastly, if you haven't already, learn how to steer or center your pods manually. I have had great success with my pods but, as with any critical system, it's important to know what to do when something goes wrong before it goes wrong.

 

[Boatweiser]

Update: the issue continued to occur all week and is always at the most inconvenient time. Since the error only occurs after significant idle time it is always just as I am pulling up to a dock after working through a marina or waiting for a slip to open at a restaurant. A couple of times this occured while inwas actively using the zeus system. No issues docking but annoying.

Anyway I captured the error codes the 3rd time it happened: CCM joystick unavailable CCM TVM drive unavailable TVM pump failure fault

 

[Red Stripe]

I captured the error codes the 3rd time it happened: CCM joystick unavailable CCM TVM drive unavailable TVM pump failure fault

Stating much of the obvious here but hopefully it wil be of some help. The joystick and Thrust Vector Module became unavailable when the TVM registered a pump failure fault. It is time to call your Cummins/Merc service person. Presumably the system has the latest control software. If it doesn't that could actually be the easiest fix. There have been updates since your boat was new including one service campaign that addresses the potential issue you are dealing with:

Eliminate false pump failure faults – Install new Zeus control system software which includes revised thrust vector module (TVM) calibrations with updated Pump Failure Fault settings to alleviate false alarms.

Hopefully it's that simple and your boat would have fallen under that campaign as it was for builds between July 1, 2007 – October 12, 2009.

 

[Johncdbass]

Hello all, I googled troubleshooting zuess pod drives and found you guys talking about the drives. I have had numerous issues with fault codes. Yesterday the boat ran great for most of the day. We power drifted with one engine on for several hours alternating engines. All of a sudden I got the lol owing faults,
ccm autopilot unavailable Can bus fault
joystick unavailable
Gps data fault
imu data fault

I had no joystick control
no autopilot

when powering up to leave, I was 15 miles offshore, I used the single lever control and began a creation, after 2 minutes, the boat powered to idle and kicked me out of single lever control. I was able to return using both levers. Upon docking I got several wheel fault codes as well. I do believe this is the fourth event to happen with these engines. I'm getting pretty disgusted as this is a new boat and needless to say very expensive! Any ideas? Thanks!

 

[KNL1]

Anyone have any thoughts on an error code that reads: TVM: Steer A Press RangeLow?