Help! VP 8.1 HO fuel pump not priming when the key is turned on. No Audible beep.

[alldodge]

Don't know if the ECM has an issue or not but from what you have posted thus far I will say:

Your batteries need to be replaced. If the voltages are not right, the ECM will not work correctly
Grounding the terminal and energizing the relay says the relay is working but does not tell us the computer is fried
You need to find out someone which can read codes from the engine. With good batteries and good connections, the ECM will tell if there is an ECM fault

The oil pressure switch does not have a direct connection to the fuel pump or it's relay

 

[ericga]

Ericga, Where would the the oil pressure cutoff switch be located?

Mine is on the side of the engine near the remote oil filter (5.7 Gxi). Some are connected with the pressure sender using a T nipple. I have the single prong connector type which doesn't cut off the fuel pump.

The ones that cut off the fuel pump usually have 3 prongs.

 

[Fun Times]

Try all the testing suggestions from this guy including tapping on each relay with the key in the on/run position.
http://www.justanswer.com/boat/295yk...tart-new.html#

Also Inspect the wire pins at the ECM connectors to ensure they/one hasn't backed out of the connector. Carefully wiggling "all" wires with the key on may help to see if you all of a sudden receive power to the ECM and fuel pump.

You know you have your wake up 12v power (purple wire) at the key switch and at the shift switch since it also gets 12+ volts at key-up.... but now you need to see if the purple wire is reaching the ECM to power up the fuel pump system for 2 seconds. Next connection is the main wire harness canon plug connector to/on the engine.

Hopefully the battery is showing a very minimum of 12.2 volts at rest (without charger connected) but it should be more in the 12.6 volt range to indicate a good battery.

Search online for 'Volvo Penta Bulletin Fuse/Relay Box Replaced (Pub.ID: P-37-2-2-Parts-GB)

Don't know if you can make this work, but it may be helpful if you can download it, http://www.scribd.com/doc/153625644/...-Manual#scribd

If you'd like to have your ECM "tested", give this place a call to see if they can do it which I believe they can, http://mefiburn.com/mefiecms.asp ..http://mefiburn.com/contact.asp

Also just only meant as an FYI, these EFI engines don't utilize the oil PSI switch to control the fuel pumps...That's done by the ECM controlling the pumps. The oil switch is more for a safety feature for carbureted engines.

 

[Slightly Stewpid]

Wiggled wires. Unplugged the main harness and cleaned the connections. Still no luck. ECM is off to get tested for $75. Should know something today or tomorrow.

 

[Slightly Stewpid]

ECM is good. Replacing batteries today.

 

[Slightly Stewpid]

Batteries are replaced. Same symptoms.

 

[alldodge]

Original problem is still there, fuel pump will not run and motor will not start.
New batteries
Can ground out the connection to the fuel pump relay and pump will run
ECM was tested and found good

I would suggest checking the connection between the ECM and the relay, sounds like a bad connection.
Also suggest checking your key switch voltage to see if your still getting 11V

 

[Fun Times]

Have you tried new relays vs swapping them around or tapping on them? It's time.

You'll need to see if the ECM is getting power and ground to it. You may still have a bad fuse box and wiggling the wires might not be showing any symptoms.

Also try make a code reader so you'll know the ECM is responding while connected to your engine harness. Here are the directions of how to go about it, http://forums.iboats.com/forum/engi...r-warmup-quits-engine?p=10117469#post10117469

A video of it in action,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2GEO-dlbIg

 

[Slightly Stewpid]

Getting 12.5v to the keyed lead going into the fuse box on top of the engine with the key in the run position. I have wiggled all the wires. I checked the connection into the ECM for pins that have possibly moved back, all is good there.

Swapped the relays and tapped on them early on. The fuse box was replaced last season.

I did notice that the Trim gauge is reading at complete bow up position with the key in the run position, I think this is new.

I will try making a code reader out of the LED.

 

[Fun Times]

2003 Chris Craft, Volvo Penta 8.1HO

I will try making a code reader out of the LED.

First before you do, let's ensure what ECM you have...Is it the MEFI ECM that looks kind of similar to this design,http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=MEFI+3&FORM=HDRSC2

What is your full engine model? The model number should have something like 8.1GI-J at the end as an example. Here is a list of possible engine model numbers if you click on your year range / red engines, http://www.volvopentastore.com/Engi...unc.volvo--session_id.793832128--store_id.366

 

[Slightly Stewpid]

Yes, this is the ECM. The Engine is the 8.1 GXI-J

 

[Slightly Stewpid]

Anyone think this could be the result of an electrical event while the boat was plugged in and it was storming? What would that cause?

 

[bajaunderground]

It sounds as if you've tried all the connections...after 1 month and the pump is not working and you've done the normal process, can you jump around and just hit it with 12V? Maybe tap on it with a screwdriver handle? I know my hydraulic pump "stuck" and a little tapping "woke" it up...just my $.02 worth...if the 12V jump doesn't work, then maybe your pump is bad? I know it was mentioned, did you have any codes from your ECM?

 

[Slightly Stewpid]

Hello Bajaunderground,

Thank you for the suggestions. Grounding the 87A lead on the fuse box gets the pump running, so I know that the pump is not stuck. The ECM threw one overheating code, but that was last February when the water pump fail. The boat ran well all summer and fall.

 

[alldodge]

Need to keep reminding my self this is a VP and I'm not real clear of everything on the VP motors, more a Merc guy. According to the diagram I found on the GXI there are 5 relays, 3-standard and 2-different. The fuel pump I controlled by one of the others (R4). See the image below



Sorry for going off track after the battery issue

 

[Slightly Stewpid]

No Title

Thank you for the diagram. I have power at R4 and the ground is good coming off of the fuel pump and I hear clicking at the relay when the ignition is moved to the on position.

The fuse box on the top of my engine only has 3 relays in it the rest are fuses. It looks like the below image.

 

[Slightly Stewpid]

No clicking at the fuse box

 

[Slightly Stewpid]

Looks like the ECM is not getting power

 

[alldodge]

Hope FT can supply some better testing but I'm going back to my post 27

I would suggest checking the connection between the ECM and the relay, sounds like a bad connection

.

There is a bad connection somewhere.
The ECM does not have a good power or ground
The wire/connection from the ECM to the relay which supplies ground to the fuel pump relay is defective

 

[alldodge]

Looks like the ECM is not getting power

That would do it, what did you find?