Mercmonitor and fault codes

[mjfink]

I'm looking for a way to read fault codes from my 2006 5.7MPI setup (with Smartcraft). I was looking at the Rinda tool, but was wondering if a MercMontior would show me the same info from the PCM? Would I be able to see stored faults and other info right on that device? If so, that's going to make it an easy purchase for me.

 

[Pete104]

Re: Mercmonitor and fault codes

I wonder why Don S., Bond-O & achris don't chime in on these Q's!

 

[achris]

Re: Mercmonitor and fault codes

I'm looking for a way to read fault codes from my 2006 5.7MPI setup (with Smartcraft). I was looking at the Rinda tool, but was wondering if a MercMontior would show me the same info from the PCM? Would I be able to see stored faults and other info right on that device? If so, that's going to make it an easy purchase for me.

I've looked all over the net and can not find one single reference to them being able to display fault codes. I'm sure if they could Merc would be singing and dancing about it.

I wonder why Don S., Bond-O & achris don't chime in on these Q's!

A few possible answers to that question. For myself, I'm in a vastly different time zone, so most of the time I only get to see what others (in the USA) post quite a while after they post; and I actually have a life outside the computer room. For example, today I did maintenance on my home reticulation system, replacing damaged and blocked heads, fixing leaking pipes etc. I also did the main 'heavy' work on installing another AC in the house; mounted the evaporator, bored the hole for the piping (through a double brick wall!) and mounted the compressor brackets on the outside wall. And yesterday I did a full service on a friends 4.3LX, including new elbows. Other than that I have a job to go to too. (If you're wondering about my job, read through this -> http://www.members.iinet.net.au/~achris60/Where am I.htm)

Also, for myself, I don't have access to all these new toys, so I have no first-hand knowledge of them. I was a dealer a few years ago, so I have knowledge from that era, and I try and stay current as much as I can, but Mercury don't exactly send me all the info on their latest toys....

Chris......

 

[mjfink]

Re: Mercmonitor and fault codes

I appreciate any responses that I get, thank you for the help!

Here's what I saw that piqued my interest:

Alarms Screen
The "Alarms" screen will display two different fault screens. The screen
displays the flashing triangle for system related faults followed by the
fault descriptive short text with the fault number. Press the "+" to view
the fault descriptive long text, and the recommended action to take. A
flashing "AL" will be in the upper right side of the screen.

From:
http://www.livorsi.com/pdf/MercMonitor_operation.pdf

But, they don't really talk about what that means. Is it the full fault screen settings that you could see connected using a scan tool, or is it a subset? Or is it something entirely different?

It looks to be pretty descriptive (page 160 or so down shows some examples, including things like "Coil not functioning properly" and other stuff that I'd consider a "detailed" fault). I was just wondering if the Mercmonitor has enough functionality to effectively replace something like a Hinda, or if it's a greatly reduced subset that actually makes it to the monitor.

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercmonitor and fault codes

I wonder why Don S., Bond-O & achris don't chime in on these Q's!

Since I have no experience with the Mercmonitor, I didn't see any reason to post. Is that a good enough reason?

 

[Fun Times]

Re: Mercmonitor and fault codes

I'm looking for a way to read fault codes from my 2006 5.7MPI setup (with Smartcraft). I was looking at the Rinda tool, but was wondering if a MercMontior would show me the same info from the PCM? Would I be able to see stored faults and other info right on that device? If so, that's going to make it an easy purchase for me.

Don't believe you're going to see "stored faults" only faults that are active at that time frame of the problem/s. If the problem fixes itself the smartcraft will go back to normal working mode. Now if you had a scan tool of any kind then you would be able to see the faults as it's happening + after it happened + you would get the chance to see live data numbers as the engine is running to see if all the sensors, etc, are within a normal working range or not, with the mercmonitor you would not get to see the live data parameters numbers, just codes with the description like you seen in the manual you posted below. The description of the fault in the rinda tool is about the same on some of the faults (But Not All Of Them) as the mercmonitor, if that is your question? It's how good you are to find and fix the problem with the basic info provided + knowing where to find additional information to help guide you though the process of elimination so your not just switching parts around and hoping for the best. Also knowing what the normal working parameters are of a sensor/system helps determine where to start.

Now the newer vessel view systems has come a long way and will show active alarms & alarm history, + some engine/boat sensors parameters as long as you know what to look for within the system, But they are only offered with certain style engine packages.

The smartcraft stuff can be pretty difficult to stay current on as it changes almost yearly. You really have to be around it all the time to stay up with it nowadays or you could miss the boat. I believe sea ray is one of the biggest users of this system for recreational use, at least for the "stern drive system", so the sea ray dealer techs would know this system the best over most of the other boat manufacturers. Now all the newer mercury outboard guys should know this system pretty well by now as they use the smartcraft system a lot more than the stern drives guys do.

The guys over on the club sea ray forums are pretty sharp with the smartcraft system.

 

[Pete104]

Re: Mercmonitor and fault codes

Thanks Fun Times, great response.
There have been some SmartCraft questions posted that get few responses, if any. I saw the opportuninity to ask why.

All is good!