Diagnostic Software for Mercury?

[RedTail8]

Is there an affordable diagnostic software I can download to my laptop to plug into my 2007 Merc 115hp Four Stroke?

I ended up bringing my boat into a mechanic and knew I was going to regret it. He's charging me $115 for diagnostics without providing me the report. I can fix most stuff but would help a lot if I could get the fault codes and what the mean without just throwing parts at it. This time it sounds like a sensor I can change in 10mins by myself probably. I don't need to OT and extra $200 for that nonsense.

Thanks,
Marc

 

[GA_Boater]

Some of the guys have purchased scanners - I think it was Rinda. I believe bruceb58 has a scanner and he could give you more info.

They aren't cheap and the laptop versions are more and you may need to get adapters for your motor.

 

[tpenfield]

I bought the Rinda/Diacom software, which was $600 :faint2: It does the I/O's as well as the Mercury outboards.

There are some other software (odbdiagnostics, tunerpro, mefiburn) , but the companies did not seem as viable as Rinda. I figured that over time, it would be worth it, rather than paying for diagnostic work and having little to show for it.

I did borrow a Rinda scanner at one point, which was fine, but limited to seeing codes, etc. The full software on a laptop let's you do maintenance things, like set the base timing, record data of your engine in operation, etc. so it is definitely cool to have.

 

[Faztbullet]

If its NOT a Optimax all you need is the "blinker light" tester...about $40.

 

[RedTail8]

Thanks for the replies. I'll look into the software. I'd like that extra info too.

Could you elaborate on the blinker light? I'm not a trained mechanic and can't do everything admittedly but can figure out how to do quite a bit on my own.

Thanks,
Marc

 

[Faztbullet]

If its NOT a Optimax its a adapter harness with a light bulb in it, Hooks to ECU/ECM and count the flashes. Sort of like the OBD on a car.

 

[bruceb58]

Some of the guys have purchased scanners - I think it was Rinda. I believe bruceb58 has a scanner and he could give you more info.

They aren't cheap and the laptop versions are more and you may need to get adapters for your motor.

I have the Ronda scanner but wish I bought the Ronda Diacom.

 

[RedTail8]

FaztBullet, where do you find out what the number of flashes mean? Shop manual?

So like with this issue I had it was the sensor on the integrated air intake system that went bad and was reading 300 degrees and making it run rich from what I'm told. Will the number of beeps point me to that exact sensor?

After looking around I like the Diacom software too but as mentioned does carry a hefty price which I'd probably rather swallow next time than taking it in cause I'd rather just do it myself. But curious about the blinker system.

 

[tpenfield]

I could not see myself sitting there counting the 'blinks' . . . what if I missed a blink :noidea: . . . so I went for the full software. It is a big nut and took me a year to make the decision to buy it.

 

[RedTail8]

I'm probably going to buy it. Was a $600 day already paying the service place for the sensor and their diagnostic which didn't fix the issue. Seems a new issue now. Threw a couple other parts at it from the suggestion of a merc mechanic I talked to later. Will be $1200 in after getting the software. Fairly frustrating.

 

[papanick22]

If its NOT a Optimax its a adapter harness with a light bulb in it, Hooks to ECU/ECM and count the flashes. Sort of like the OBD on a car.
View attachment 242238 View attachment 242238

I went on crowley website and could not find tester