2008 Chaparral 275 SSI 8.1 Volvo Penta GXI-J Soft Alarm Issues

[apisk]

Been having soft alarm issues for quite some time now and hoping someone here has had a similar issue or can advise any troubleshooting tips. The boat is a 2008 Chaparral 275 SSI with a 8.1 Volvo Penta GXI-J engine
The soft alarm comes on if I am driving the boat over 3000 RPM, it is one beep every 5 seconds and continues until I slow the boat down back under 3000 RPM. The engine does not go into limp mode and there are no restrictions on RPM or speed. Oil pressure and coolant temp read normal, and exhaust temps are within range (tested with IR temp gun). The depth alarm is a different alarm so I have ruled that out as well.
Over the last few weeks, I have replaced the following:

• manifolds and risers
• raw water pump (and impeller)
• thermostat
• serpentine belt and pulleys

The alarm does not come on every time I drive it, but 75% of the time it does. It will start off beeping once every 5 seconds, I will slow it down, then push it past the 3000 RPM range again and alarm never comes back on. The inconsistency makes it hard to troubleshoot and pinpoint, but it happens enough to warrant it being an issue.
I am at the point where it seems that there is bad wiring somewhere, a bad sensor, or possibly the ECM going bad. The local Volvo specialist said that since it is a soft alarm, these are not logged in the ECM so plugging in their diagnostic computer wouldn't even capture it. They said the only way, which isn't even for sure, is plugging in the computer and going for a test drive to capture the alarm live.
Has anyone had similar experiences? I feel like I am chasing a ghost here and not sure what else to look into.

 

[alldodge]

Welcome
Easiest way is to have your own scanner like Diacom software by Rinda. Can have it record everything and when it happens it will be logged. Main issue is cost $719 with adapter 94029

 

[apisk]

Thank you so much for the follow up - are soft alarms logged on a scanner like that? I have been told mixed things, but I am just trying to get as much insight as I can. Are they only logged if it records while it happens when driving?

Do you have a link to what I would need to buy and adapter? I would rather invest in a scanner than keep throwing money at other things until I know for sure where the issue is. I just am afraid that the scanner won't return anything actionable

 

[alldodge]

Everything that causes the ECM to turn on an alarm will be recorded by dealers G3 and Diacom. Only dealers can get G3 but anyone can get Diacom or Techmate Pro

https://www.rinda.com/marine/marinemenu.htm
Main page

https://www.rinda.com/rindashop/
In the above page you enter your motor info and then it will go to a page showing 3 different ECM's. If one of them is yours (it should be) then continue and it will show a list of software and adapters.

The first one is the cheapest and contains all the stuff for your motor. The other kits have your adapter and those for other motors

 

[apisk]

Is there an advantage over the Diacom vs Techmate? Diacom seems to be PC based while I use a Mac without a disk reader, so would the Techmate options be valid as well?

 

[alldodge]

Techmate does not record data, it's all live data. Not sure even when connected if it would show a soft alarm

Suggest contacting Rinda and ask them about the Mac
(773) 736-6633, 9am to 5pm CST

Building a CD/DVD reader is pretty easy. The kist doesn't cost much and what I did was buy the kit and used my old computer CD reader, removed and installed in the kit. The kit comes with 2 usb cables to provide power and data. But do need to usb ports on your computer to use

 

[apisk]

okay so the Diacom is the only option for my use case - I can borrow a computer to make it work worst case scenario and not have to worry about building a reader. The Diacom will record the data once the alarm goes while driving with it plugged in?

My ECM is the 90 pin module from the 3 options so it appears that first product in the listings you pointed out will work with the 94029 adapter

 

[alldodge]

okay so the Diacom is the only option for my use case - I can borrow a computer to make it work worst case scenario and not have to worry about building a reader. The Diacom will record the data once the alarm goes while driving with it plugged in?

My ECM is the 90 pin module from the 3 options so it appears that first product in the listings you pointed out will work with the 94029 adapter

Yes, and to double check lets get input from @tpenfield because he has used it a lot

 

[apisk]

Now that I look at it, I think I may have a 2006/2007 engine which would need the 94024 adapter - attached is my connection which makes that adapter and the 90 pin ECM

To confirm, this would be the best option based on that correct? https://www.rinda.com/rindashop/shop/diacom/diacom-94124-kit

 

[alldodge]

Looks like your correct, but have also noticed some VP models have had 2 different connectors for the data link. Not saying one is better then the other but just what I've come across

 

[tpenfield]

Welcome to iBoats and sorry to hear about the engine alarms.

The Rinda Diacom software will record the ECM data while you drive the boat. I usually do that when I get an issue, rather than replacing parts.

Reviewing the data, and particularly over 3,000 RPM in your case, you should be able to see which engine input/sensors are looking out of their ordinary range, even though it may not be producing a trouble code.

The $700+ price tag for the software seems steep, but it usually pays for itself right away, and in your case it looks like you must be several $1,000 into the 'parts cannon'.


.
Sorry . . . I've been waiting to use this picture

 

[alldodge]

That's a great pic Ted, I'm going to steel it , just FYI

 

[tpenfield]

Also, on my current boat (new-2-me last year), I got tired of hearing those silly alarms and applied duct tape over the buzzers . . . There were 3 of them, each having their own purpose, it seemed.

It was not until I connected the Diacom and could see the data . . . The computer said that the 'system voltage' was higher than the 'battery voltage' . . . OK, but that's impossible. It lead me to understand that there were 2 inputs for voltage and they were from different sources. It seemed like the computer thought the house battery was weaker than the engine battery. OK . . .

I connected the house battery to the inverter batteries. ECM liked that. Problem solved.

 

[apisk]

I am 100% a victim of the parts cannon, but the manifolds and risers were due and I keep my boat in saltwater so I don't feel "as" bad about that expense, or at least that's what I keep telling myself...

Thanks for the follow up and confirmation @tpenfield

I am going to go with this kit https://www.rinda.com/rindashop/shop/diacom/diacom-94124-kit that has the 94024 adapter. I agree that the cost is steep, but if I were to pay a local mechanic for their time to come out with me for a test drive I would probably be halfway to that cost and not have a scanner for any future issues

 

[Donald0039]

I bought the Diacom and a small 11" Windows laptop. I would prefer not to bring my primary laptop to the boat in case it got damaged. The laptop was $300 or $400.

You can call or email Rinda to verify you are getting the proper adapter. Very helpful.

 

[apisk]

Thanks @Donald0039 that's good to know, I was able to get a hold of a Windows laptop and the scanner is due to be delivered Monday. Will update this thread with my findings assuming all connects and logs well

 

[Donald0039]

Thanks @Donald0039 that's good to know, I was able to get a hold of a Windows laptop and the scanner is due to be delivered Monday. Will update this thread with my findings assuming all connects and logs well

However - be advised it's not a 5 minute learning curve to become proficient using the Diacom. But it's worth the investment in time.

More learning curve than learning how to use a DVM but less learning curve than how to use an oscilloscope.

 

[apisk]

Do you have any tips or know of any good online guides or videos? I work in the tech field so am hoping the learning curve is a bit less, but we will see once I dive in next week

 

[Nheels]

Everything that causes the ECM to turn on an alarm will be recorded by dealers G3 and Diacom. Only dealers can get G3 but anyone can get Diacom or Techmate Pro

https://www.rinda.com/marine/marinemenu.htm
Main page

https://www.rinda.com/rindashop/
In the above page you enter your motor info and then it will go to a page showing 3 different ECM's. If one of them is yours (it should be) then continue and it will show a list of software and adapters.

The first one is the cheapest and contains all the stuff for your motor. The other kits have your adapter and those for other motors

I was actually just checking these out. There is a different adapter for years 2007 and then 2008 onward.

My boat is a 2008, the engines are 5.7L GI-300-J. I'm probably thinking manufactured in 2007. Any way to check this? It isn't on the serial number tag.

 

[alldodge]

A dealer can, and most do it with a phone call