To: Dave M or Dave N re PCM555 fault codes vs Rinda #94050m Mercruiser Scan Tool

[Rage]

I have the Rinda #94050m Mercruiser Scan Tool "http://216.230.203.183/marine/marine.htm" and a 2005 Mercruiser 496HO with a PCM555 ECM

Some fault codes I have seen with my Rinda Tool when checking the PCM555:
"trim chk is HI", "fuel lvl2 ckt hi" and others.

After a total sea water pump failure (=0 psi) and exhaust manifold overheat plus warning buzzer there was no fault recorded for this event when I scanned fault records in the PCM555 with the Rinda Tool. The Merc Tech Support Line says that there should be a fault record for this. That is a concern/problem. Is the PCM555 not functioning correctly or other? How do I find out (other than dragging the boat out of the lake to a Merc dealer that the Merc Tech Line recommends) if the PCM555 is recording/storing all the appropriate faults.

I was told that Dave M (or N) was very familiar with the Rinda how to determine what is going on here.

Thanks,

Bill

[Dave_N]

Bill,
Actually, I have never used one of those Rinda/Merc hand held scan tools. I only use Rinda's Diacom software, but I will try to answer your question as best I can. What you need to do is access the "Freezframe" memory. Thats where the faults codes will be.

ECM/PCM555 faults only show as "Active" when they are currently occuring. When the conditions that caused the fault stops (like the manifold cools down), the fault becomes "Inactive". As soon the key is turned off it is no longer "Active" or "Inactive", it disappears and remains only in the "Freezframe Memory" along with a snapshot of other engine data. The Freezframe memory stores up to ten fault events.

One of the engine parameters the Freezframe memory stores is Engine Hours. By looking at the Engine Hours you can seen how recent each of the (up to) ten faults in memory are and the sequence that they occured.

There should be stored faults for the Sea Pump Pressure loss, the Manifold Overtemp and the alarm (Gaurdian Mode), if there is not, then there could be a problem with the PCM.

Dave

[Rage]

Excellent! It sounds like the only problem was my ignorance.

I will check it out this week end.

Thanks,

Bill

[GOODT]

those two codes are default codes because most builders dont use those sensors



the pcm 555 is capible of reading trim position and fueltank 1 and 2 levels but most manufacturers dont hook then up

ignor them

[Dave_N]

Joe is correct, the "TRIM CKT HI" and "FUEL LVL2 HI" are examples of Active Faults that are caused by missing optional sensors.

Other faults caused by missing sensors are;
FUEL LVL CKT HI
PITOT CKT LO
SEA TEMP CKT HI
STEER CKT LO

They will always show as Active faults, but have no effect on engine performance and do not cause the engine to go into Gaurdian Mode. As Joe says "ignore them".

Dave