4.3L MPI 2007 Searay Sport 185. Single Alarm at 20 RPMs and higher

[Nord2903]

Good Evening All,

Looking for a little help. I am getting a single beep alarm when I am at 20 RPMs in my fuel injected 4.3L 2007 mercruiser engine. Previously I was getting a rough idle and the alarm would also sound at idle, which it is not doing anymore. When the alarm sounds at 20 RPMS, the engine reduces to idle. I have done regular maintenance to the boat to prep for the spring:

1. Changed oil and oil filter
2. Changed fuel filter, added new fuel
3. Changed gear lube on lower unit and replaced gear lube reservoir (knowing potentially that the sensor could be the issue)
4. Changed fuel pump (thought it was starving for fuel)
5. Removed oil pressure sender (before removing) sensor and got 3 beeps recognizing that it was removed at start up as well as tested it with it off and still got a beep at 20 RPMS.
6. Removed Oil pressure sender and tested with a multimeter (received a reading of 240/241)

Impeller was changed last season and my temperature gauge is operating correctly with the temp pined at 150.

From what I am told I do not have a diagnostic port to get codes from.

Any insight would be great.

 

[dubs283]

All efi engines have a diagnostic plug to read faults and engine management data.

Judging by your experience the fault is critical enough to trigger guardian mode and reduce available power to idle speeds

 

[Nord2903]

Dubs, thanks for your response. I contacted the local Searay dealership as well as friend who is a marine mechanic, who both stated the same thing to me that there is no diagnostic port for my engine (which I found it hard to believe that there isn't). Could you provide me where I would find it?

 

[nola mike]

Dubs, thanks for your response. I contacted the local Searay dealership as well as friend who is a marine mechanic, who both stated the same thing to me that there is no diagnostic port for my engine (which I found it hard to believe that there isn't). Could you provide me where I would find it?

Post a serial number for the engine

 

[achris]

.... I am getting a single beep alarm when I am at 20 RPMs in my fuel injected 4.3L 2007 mercruiser engine. Previously I was getting a rough idle and the alarm would also sound at idle, which it is not doing anymore.

20 rpm??? Do you mean 2,000rpm?

When the alarm sounds at 20 RPMS, the engine reduces to idle. I have done regular maintenance to the boat to prep for the spring:

1. Changed oil and oil filter
2. Changed fuel filter, added new fuel
3. Changed gear lube on lower unit and replaced gear lube reservoir (knowing potentially that the sensor could be the issue)
4. Changed fuel pump (thought it was starving for fuel)
5. Removed oil pressure sender (before removing) sensor and got 3 beeps recognizing that it was removed at start up as well as tested it with it off and still got a beep at 20 RPMS.
6. Removed Oil pressure sender and tested with a multimeter (received a reading of 240/241)

MPI engines use a separate sender for gauge and ECU.

...From what I am told I do not have a diagnostic port to get codes from..

You have been told wrong! It's a 4 pin connector up near the thermostat housing.

 

[achris]

Dubs, thanks for your response. I contacted the local Searay dealership as well as friend who is a marine mechanic, who both stated the same thing to me that there is no diagnostic port for my engine (which I found it hard to believe that there isn't). Could you provide me where I would find it?

They may be thinking 'ODBII', which this port is NOT. You need the proper connector and software (which I strongly recommend you get if you intend on maintaining the engine yourself) to read the data. You have 2 options for data connection, the 'short form' reader called 'TechMate', which is a very basic reader, and the full software package which gives you realtime data, as well as full diagnostics and history, Diacom. Both are available only from Rinda, and at only $100 difference, why would anyone buy the cheap one? (Yes, because they are so tight... )

Chris......

 

[QBhoy]

Hi. If you get a $200 VesselView mobile device. You can plug it into the engine and have all engine data and fault shown on your phone or tablet via Bluetooth. Very handy thing. Saved me plenty of money over the years. That will tell you exactly what your issue is.

 

[Nord2903]

20 rpm??? Do you mean 2,000rpm?

MPI engines use a separate sender for gauge and ECU.

You have been told wrong! It's a 4 pin connector up near the thermostat housing.

View attachment 359390

20 rpm??? Do you mean 2,000rpm?

MPI engines use a separate sender for gauge and ECU.

You have been told wrong! It's a 4 pin connector up near the thermostat housing.

View attachment 359390

Chris, thanks for the response! Ironically, I sent a picture of that 4 pin port that I found a week ago to both my buddy the mechanic and to searay and was told that wasn't it. Makes me feel better that I found this and asked about both searay and them about it. Ordered a new oil pressure sensor and water pressure sensor before getting it scanned. Won't install them until its scanned. Much appreciated for your help!

 

[Nord2903]

Hi. If you get a $200 VesselView mobile device. You can plug it into the engine and have all engine data and fault shown on your phone or tablet via Bluetooth. Very handy thing. Saved me plenty of money over the years. That will tell you exactly what your issue is.

QBhoy, I have never heard of it. I can research it, but do you know if it is compatible with my engine?

 

[achris]

QBhoy, I have never heard of it. I can research it, but do you know if it is compatible with my engine?

Download the app to an android phone, then buy the adapter from Merc.

The App..

VesselView Mobile – Apps on Google Play

VesselView Mobile - Connect with your Mercury Marine engine, and more

play.google.com

The adapter..

Mercury-Mercruiser 84-8M0157078 VesselView Mobile Kit 1-4 Engines

Mercury-Mercruiser 84-8M0157078 VesselView Mobile Kit 1-4 Engines genuine factory part not aftermarket. Fast shipping - Click here to see live inventory status

www.mercruiserparts.com

You will also need a harness adapter for your engine..

Cummins Mercury SmartCraft VesselView Adapter Harness

Cummins Mercury SmartCraft VesselView Adapter Harness

www.sbmar.com

Chris......

 

[Nord2903]

Download the app to an android phone, then buy the adapter from Merc.

The App..

VesselView Mobile – Apps on Google Play

VesselView Mobile - Connect with your Mercury Marine engine, and more

play.google.com

The adapter..

Mercury-Mercruiser 84-8M0157078 VesselView Mobile Kit 1-4 Engines

Mercury-Mercruiser 84-8M0157078 VesselView Mobile Kit 1-4 Engines genuine factory part not aftermarket. Fast shipping - Click here to see live inventory status

www.mercruiserparts.com

You will also need a harness adapter for your engine..

Cummins Mercury SmartCraft VesselView Adapter Harness

Cummins Mercury SmartCraft VesselView Adapter Harness

www.sbmar.com

Chris......

Chris, I just purchased the vessel view. Glad you commented cause I would have never knew that it existed. I have an iPhone. When I researched it, it says its compatible with the iPhone. Issue I am going to run into (if you have any insight it would be great), is that the engine is a replacement engine and I don't know where the serial number is to add it when I set it up. Another friend of mine said it shouldn't matter. Follow up question is, do you know where I would find the port to plug this into? I know where the port is with 4 pins is, but I am assuming I need to find the 10 pin port. Thanks for the help!

 

[Nord2903]

Chris, I just purchased the vessel view. Glad you commented cause I would have never knew that it existed. I have an iPhone. When I researched it, it says its compatible with the iPhone. Issue I am going to run into (if you have any insight it would be great), is that the engine is a replacement engine and I don't know where the serial number is to add it when I set it up. Another friend of mine said it shouldn't matter. Follow up question is, do you know where I would find the port to plug this into? I know where the port is with 4 pins is, but I am assuming I need to find the 10 pin port. Thanks for the help!

Chris to reply further this is the only port I found. It is four port I believe. Is there an adapter I need?

 

[QBhoy]

QBhoy, I have never heard of it. I can research it, but do you know if it is compatible with my engine?

It sure is. Great thing. I’ve got one for my mpi 2003 v8 and my 2016 merc outboard. My friend has one on his 4.3 mpi too. 100% it will work. Look up VesselView mobile on YouTube. An amazing thing to have. All mpi owners should definitely have one. If not for the fault diagnosis alone…for the peace of mind at having deadly accurate fuel use and range data, so many extra readings from the engine, accurate rpms pressures and temperatures too. Dash gauges just can’t get close to what this can tell you. You won’t look at the dash gauges ever again. Just amazing.

 

[QBhoy]

Chris to reply further this is the only port I found. It is four port I believe. Is there an adapter I need?

It’s not that plug, it goes into. It’s this one. At your age of engine, it should have a yellow terminator cap on it. You take that off and plug in the device. Then put the yellow cap on the spare end of the device loom. You’ll find this up the back of the engine somewhere.
It shows you faults…but if you select a preferred Mercury dealer too…they can also log into your engine remotely and look at faults and info too.

 

[Nord2903]

It’s not that plug, it goes into. It’s this one. At your age of engine, it should have a yellow terminator cap on it. You take that off and plug in the device. Then put the yellow cap on the spare end of the device loom. You’ll find this up the back of the engine somewhere.
It shows you faults…but if you select a preferred Mercury dealer too…they can also log into your engine remotely and look at faults and info too.

Thanks again. I will look when I go to the boat, but it clearly looks like it is near the wiring going to the spark plugs. I was just trying to inquire further cause I have yet to find this plug and unsure if I need an adapter. I searched the engine pretty well to find ANY wiring harness that has a yellow cap on it and have yet to find one. Any idea if its port or starboard side?...or any other location you can direct me to, to find it. I have been googling it for close to an hour now and all I keep getting brought up is the mercruiser website showing the install of it with a purple cap.

 

[QBhoy]

Thanks again. I will look when I go to the boat, but it clearly looks like it is near the wiring going to the spark plugs. I was just trying to inquire further cause I have yet to find this plug and unsure if I need an adapter. I searched the engine pretty well to find ANY wiring harness that has a yellow cap on it and have yet to find one. Any idea if its port or starboard side?...or any other location you can direct me to, to find it. I have been googling it for close to an hour now and all I keep getting brought up is the mercruiser website showing the install of it with a purple cap.

Mine had a purple cap on it, being a 2003 mpi. I think they changed to yellow around 2005/2006 maybe. If it’s purple, you need to buy a yellow one. They are like $20/30 at the most.
The plug will definitely be there somewhere for sure. Can be anywhere from near the throttle body to way back and tucked in or under the diz cap or ecu mounting. But it will 100% be there somewhere. I’d think you should have the yellow cap in 2007. But you never know. Could be purple. It will be more around the port rear side I’d think. But the cable on it is quite long and could be anywhere to be honest

 

[Nord2903]

Mine had a purple cap on it, being a 2003 mpi. I think they changed to yellow around 2005/2006 maybe. If it’s purple, you need to buy a yellow one. They are like $20/30 at the most.
The plug will definitely be there somewhere for sure. Can be anywhere from near the throttle body to way back and tucked in or under the diz cap or ecu mounting. But it will 100% be there somewhere. I’d think you should have the yellow cap in 2007. But you never know. Could be purple. It will be more around the port rear side I’d think. But the cable on it is quite long and could be anywhere to be honest

Fantastic. Any idea to what the name of the adapter is? I'd prefer to order the part now when the vessel view arrives to be safe and if I don't need it I can return it?

 

[QBhoy]

Fantastic. Any idea to what the name of the adapter is? I'd prefer to order the part now when the vessel view arrives to be safe and if I don't need it I can return it?

it’s not really an adapter to be fair. But if you have the purple end weather cap on the plug on the engine, you’ll need to order what’s called a yellow terminator cap (resistor) for it to work. That’s all you’d need. But if I was a betting man..I’d think you would already have the yellow cap on your engine and not the purple one.

 

[Nord2903]

Fantastic. Any idea to what the name of the adapter is? I'd prefer to order the part now when the vessel view arrives to be safe and if I don't need it I can return it?

Is this what you are referring to?

 

[QBhoy]

Fantastic. Any idea to what the name of the adapter is? I'd prefer to order the part now when the vessel view arrives to be safe and if I don't need it I can return it?

@achris will know when and what year the yellow caps were fitted standard from, instead of the old purple weather cap mine had. I’m sure it was from about 2005/06 onwards.