Mercruiser 4.3MPI 2005 SmartCraft Connector location?

[Superjetjim]

I am trying to connect a VesselView mobile module to my 2005 4.3MPI. However, I can’t locate the smart craft plug anywhere on the engine. I have looked thoroughly down the back and sides. I can’t seem to locate it. The boat has basic analog Faria gauges, so therefore doesn’t have smart craft at the helm.

Do all 4.3MPI from 2005 have the SmartCraft plug (meaning I’m just missing it)?

Does anyone know where the wiring originates from so I can follow it back to the plug?

 

[Bt Doctur]

might be the data link plug

 

[Fun Times]

Yes your engine will have the connection… should have to remove a cap/cover… the color of the weather pack installation may either be purple or yellow if memory serves correct.

 

[Superjetjim]

Yes your engine will have the connection… should have to remove a cap/cover… the color of the weather pack installation may either be purple or yellow if memory serves correct.

Thanks, I’ve seen that video and the plug simply isn’t there, anyone else fitted one to a 4.3MPI and know where the plug is?

 

[bman440440]

I believe that is the connector

 

[Superjetjim]

I believe that is the connector

Thanks I’ll double check tomorrow. Looks too wide and thin from the pic. This is what needs to plug into it.

 

[Superjetjim]

I just watched this on YouTube - the blue loom you see isn’t what I have on my boat (and looks like it may have the required plug) - wonder if the early MPI’s needed a different harness conversion?

 

[Fun Times]

The smart craft plus connection is typically towards the rear of the engine just passed the ECM sometimes mixed in / sort of hidden under other wires and hoses…

Vessel view mobile retrofit

Hey all. Thanks in advance. Im looking to put vessel view mobile on my boat mostly to read codes and keep tabs on engine diagnostics. Looking to see how hard it would be to install vessel view mobile. I do not have any existing smartcraft architecture, nor do I need any smartcraft gauges. Just...

www.clubsearay.com

The connections in your images above are for the main engine to dash connection for the analog Gauges, key switch, power to the dash, etc.and around 2005/06 year Merc switched from a 10 to 14 pin connection harness and the image shows an adapter to fit the new 14 pin engine model because possibly the boat is a bit older than the new engine or the boat/engine was right at the transition Year needing the adapter.
You are looking for a different plug design with the purple weather pack configuration… It’s in there just challenging to find at times.

https://www.drev.se/Upload/DocumentManager/mercruiser/smartwire.pdf

Page 14 - 16 as a general guide too, https://www.scribd.com/doc/62157495/Smart-Craft-891965-1-Complete-Guide

 

[QBhoy]

Hi. 100% you have the plug there on the engine. It’s often hidden down behind or under the distributor and usually nearer the port side of the engine. I’ve fitted these to about 6 or 7 mpi engines on 4.3 to 5.7 versions. Not initially obvious to find, but definitely there.
Only thing I’d say is that you need to look out for either a yellow or a purple cap on the connector plug you’re looking for.
To elaborate, my 2003 mpi had a purple cap on the plug. Around 2005/06 the plug came with a yellow cap on it. If you have the purple cap, you need to buy a yellow one for it to work. Called a terminator cap. At your 2005 age…you may have either perhaps.
I’d say look for the yellow cap on yours. Think it might be just visible in picture 2 of your original pics there. Ready down the back of the port side of the diz cap and main electric harness there. Should see it. If it’s not yellow it will be definitely purple. If it’s purple…like I say…you need a yellow plug additional to it all, for it to work. Looks like this

 

[Superjetjim]

Finally found it wedged down the back of the motor. Thanks all for the tips, I nearly gave up but found it.
All installed and working, no faults showing (other than the usual ones for items not fitted like steering angle sensor etc) - apart from the below?

 

[Fun Times]

Does your trim gauge and trim up limit work properly?

Like the others, Normally that trim fault should be normal to see on the fault menu as long as none of the digital connections were hooked up and in use on the trim system to where you typically may see a digital readout number wise move as you trim the system up and down especially now that you have mobile view.

If the digital side is connected / in use then you may have an issue to Chase down.

If it’s connected to the digital side vs the analog then sometimes this may depend on what design trim sending unit is being used on the outside of the boat.

I’m only bringing this up because though hard to see exactly, it sort of seems in the image above that one of the trim sending units wires might be connected to the orange wire which could be one of the digital connectors and in turn “might” be why you’d be seeing a trim fault.
The orange? wire I’m mentioning is just left of and a bit lower than the connector you just found for the mobile view.

If you seem to have to go further into this for some reason then we’ll need to see the wires and connections better plus the trim sending units on the outside and maybe your garages to maybe try and help you out better if needed or desired… but if everything seems to be working the way you expected then just block it.

 

[Superjetjim]

Does your trim gauge and trim up limit work properly?

Like the others, Normally that trim fault should be normal to see on the fault menu as long as none of the digital connections were hooked up and in use on the trim system to where you typically may see a digital readout number wise move as you trim the system up and down especially now that you have mobile view.

If the digital side is connected / in use then you may have an issue to Chase down.

If it’s connected to the digital side vs the analog then sometimes this may depend on what design trim sending unit is being used on the outside of the boat.

I’m only bringing this up because though hard to see exactly, it sort of seems in the image above that one of the trim sending units wires might be connected to the orange wire which could be one of the digital connectors and in turn “might” be why you’d be seeing a trim fault.
The orange? wire I’m mentioning is just left of and a bit lower than the connector you just found for the mobile view.

If you seem to have to go further into this for some reason then we’ll need to see the wires and connections better plus the trim sending units on the outside and maybe your garages to maybe try and help you out better if needed or desired… but if everything seems to be working the way you expected then just block it.

Thanks, I only have an analogue gauge so probably an irrelevant error, thanks

 

[QBhoy]

Hi. Those are normal inherit faults. You just block them. Sensors that you don’t have. Did you not need a yellow terminator cap ?

 

[Superjetjim]

Hi. Those are normal inherit faults. You just block them. Sensors that you don’t have. Did you not need a yellow terminator cap ?

Yes I did thanks, I purchased it just in case with the harness

 

[QBhoy]

Yes I did thanks, I purchased it just in case with the harness View attachment 374814

Excellent. It’s amazingly useful. The range and live consumption figures are so useful for getting most efficient cruise speed. On my v8 mpi I never look at the dash gauges anymore. Excellent for propping the boat well too. Noticeable difference between actual rpm and dash rpm.

 

[Superjetjim]

Excellent. It’s amazingly useful. The range and live consumption figures are so useful for getting most efficient cruise speed. On my v8 mpi I never look at the dash gauges anymore. Excellent for propping the boat well too. Noticeable difference between actual rpm and dash rpm.

Great to hear, that’s what I was hoping for. I changed from 21p (aluminium) to 19p (stainless Solas) based on the analogue tachometer reading a bit lower - be interesting to see what is really occurring!

 

[QBhoy]

Great to hear, that’s what I was hoping for. I changed from 21p (aluminium) to 19p (stainless Solas) based on the analogue tachometer reading a bit lower - be interesting to see what is really occurring!

Yeah. Tough one to prop, those 4.3 mpi. Need all the help you can get. I’ve propped a few of them now.
If you’re at all interested, I found that you need to prop them for the very top of the rpms. Or even just kissing or below the limiter perhaps. They can be quiet lazy low down. So if you prop them too much, you can really really suffer low down with folk onboard. I found it best to prop her to allow them to get just beyond the 4800 rpm. They will limit about 4900 or just a little over more usually. If you prop them to 4800 top end…you’ll still find them lacking low down, I found.

 

[Superjetjim]

Yeah. Tough one to prop, those 4.3 mpi. Need all the help you can get. I’ve propped a few of them now.
If you’re at all interested, I found that you need to prop them for the very top of the rpms. Or even just kissing or below the limiter perhaps. They can be quiet lazy low down. So if you prop them too much, you can really really suffer low down with folk onboard. I found it best to prop her to allow them to get just beyond the 4800 rpm. They will limit about 4900 or just a little over more usually. If you prop them to 4800 top end…you’ll still find them lacking low down, I found.

Thanks, yes it was a little lazy on the stock 21p, the 19p Solas is much better, I value holeshot over top end and rarely run WOT other than planing out with a skier or heavy load. She planed out with 10 people and 3 dogs onboard recently, I was really surprised.
I’ll check the max RPM next time I’m out as analogue tachometer gauge seems inaccurate and sticks.
A buddy has the same boat (Regal 21 bow rider) but with the Volvo GXi V8, the performance and sound difference is very much improved.

 

[gwershing]

This thread just helped me find my SmartCraft connector. I was about to give up. Thanks!