Rinda Merc Scanner Tool Issue
 

I am having an issue with a 496 where the power seems to be up and down. I’ll start it up and it’s fine. Then the next time I starts it will get up and go but at like half steam. After checking fuel and harness connections I decided I would need more help finding my issue. I ordered the Rinda / Merc scan tool in hopes to pick up a code and I am now having a hard time getting that to connect. It will hook up and read the first 3 menus and even detect that I have a MEFI 4 computer but when it get to the scan menu it errors out. I just get “***error*** check connections “. I did check connections and try it with the engine off, engine on, every way I could think to try it and am not have any luck. Anyone see this message before and have any idea what I could look for next? Does it sound like a computer issue?

Also the scanner is working as I tried 2 motors in my buddies boat right after and they both picked right up. I would be greatful for any advise as the boats in the water on a hoist right now so I have limited option to figure things out here

fixx
 

usually its a ground or power issue,,try your friends again..if it works fine then i would check for a power loss to the plug or a ground loss..

Not sure if it matters but I forgot to mention the 10 pin connection for the scanner has a jumper wire onto the cap. My friend thinks this is because I have a custom ECM curve. Would this wire need to be removed to get a proper scan? The wire it jumps to is a open spot in the connection for the scanner so it should not even connect. Unfortunitly Im in NY and the motor was built 7 yrs ago in MI so I am having a tuff time with asking the builder.

what motor do U have ? Mercruiser never used MEFI 4 in a 496 unless U have a bored and stroked 454 CID MPI that was programed using MEFI 4 inwhich maybe the engine builder of the motor used it. If U have the Mercruiser 8.1 / 496 this has PCM 555 computer controler. Your software then might not be the current version for the PCM 555.

If this is a Volvo motor then that uses a E-Controls computer controler. Just posting because I'm not clear what exactly you have nor if this even is a Mercruiser. Wellcraft used alot of Volvo motor packages thru out the 90's till they stop making rec boats permanently.

BUP its a custom built 496. Its a Tyler Crocket motor. The plug is the older style and the scanner connects just far enough to figure out its a MEFI 4. The boat had a 454 from the factory so my guess is that computer was used an remapped to fit the origonal wiring harness

He has a Tyler Crocket 496 bastard child :) Looks just like a 496ho from merc, cover and all. And it is a true 2001 496 Ho engine with all the crazy sensors and no distributor, not a punched out 454. Has crossover cooling and SM exhaust as well.

Not sure why it has the mefi 4 or how tyler even pulled it off, Jay I think a call to Tyler is your only solution.

Did you check for broken ground wires on the back side of the engine?

oh then it might be a custom calibration by the builder. I would call him and find out what exactly U have and how to diagnosis it or what version software would work with Diacom / Rinda. Also you could call Ed Rinda to hopefully get some answers as some help to read / scan this motor. IMO U might have a custom recalibrated MEFI 4 b.

Aslo make sure U have good grounds and the computer itself did not loose its ground.

Call Tyler, he tell you what the engine has. I know back a few years ago he did some 496 conversions with 496's that had re-rigged with Mefi4 conversion harnesses and ECM's from Arizona speed & Marine, you might have one of those and the ECM software was custom and the Rinda should still read it through a standard diagnostic connector on the harness.

Best Regards,
Ray @ Raylar

Thanks for all of the feedback, it great to have a place like this for some guidance. I spoke to Tyler and he said the ECM is locked, I had to mail it out to him so he can open it up to be read on a scan tool. He has some master machine of some thing to that effect. Shortly after I got the ECM out and on the way I realized I had a plug wire split right in the middle (core showing). I am hopeful this is what has been ailing me and started all of this mess.

Raylar - Some how I had just ordered a set of your 496 silicone plugs wires last week, I am the guy in Cicero NY. Not sure how that worked out as such good timing, I intended to change them anyway just did know how bad I needed one. Glad I had a set on the way. Now just waiting for my ECM back from Crockett and can give it a go for the weekend hopefully.

Edit - my friend 4bus found the bad plug wire while he was removing my ecu for me ;)

OK so the computer came back from Crockett unlocked and the plug wires came in but I’m still stuck. Installed all new wires and did some test rides only to find I am back to where I started. The scan tool picked up 1 code (34) MAP Sensor low voltage. I cleared the code since I don’t know if its new or old and was not able to get it to come back after a good 1/2 hour of testing and having the power issue the whole time.

Its runs lousy then clicks on with normal power for like 30 seconds then cuts off for a minuet or two and back threw they cycle over and over again. Feels like it gets a surge for power the its up. All grounds are clean, connections have been checked and fuel is clean as a whistle. Its also holding pressure at 42lbs on off the fuel rail, right where it should be. I have 3 batteries and tried it on either side with no difference as well.

I have a MAP sensor going in tomorrow but as I can not reproduce the code I’m not feeling like that’s going to get me anywhere. I am thinking the next thing to try here might be the crank position sensor as I hear they are common and can not pop up codes.

Anyone know the GM part number?

Also I am open for ideas again…….

I did have that problem in my 8.1 02 GMC 2500 hd.

What was the issue ? Crank sensor ?

Yes crank sensor. It would die an restart. or run funny at times. Never had a code. The sensor is in the back of the block an reads the crank from behind the flywheel. I'm not saying this is Your problem, Just what My truck did. Good luck. Artie

Behind the flywheel? Jay, I am not sure i can help you with this one.....hahaha

4bus , your the skinniest guy I know, who else can do it..

Looks like its right below the head on the port side, hopefully accessible.

Thats it. It was really hard to change on My truck. Good luck an let us know what You find as far as the fix. It shouldn't be to bad on a boat. Artie

That's not bad, top side mount will be easy, that must have been a pain on the truck!

Why don't you pick the boat up from the hack of a mechanic you sent it to and I will backprobe the labscope directly to the sensor and see if we have an intermittent on the crank sensor? Good chance the computer is not seeing it because of the low diagnostic sample rate of the MEFI4

Let Me know what your readings are please. I think Your on the right track. Yes on My truck it was hard to reach with all the truck in the way. LOL. Be carefull not to break it off. I used kroll on it an let it set. It worked. Artie

Did You get it replaced or boat repaired ???

I got the new crank sensor in last night and it was pretty lousy out here. It will be going in tonight and out for some test runs again. I have my fingers crossed.

If anyone picks this up down the road and needs the part numbers, see below for the MAP and Cranks sensors. AC Delco parts were about 1/4 of the price Merc wanted.

MAP Sensor - GM 12614973 / AC Delco 213796
Crank Sensor - GM 12575172 / AC Delco 2131556

so the update is .... the new crank sensor went in and got no ignition at all. I went back to the old one at it started right back up. I am hoping its just a bad sensor out of the box. Can anyone very that no computer rest is need with this change? I went threw all of the menus on the scan tool and found no option for such a reset.

Anyhow another day goes buy and ill try a new sensor tomorrow

i should also note the tip of the sensor is slightly different, more consealed contact then the one I pulled out but I have been to 4 stores tonight with the part number off the first one and the all pull out the same updated unit.

When I put the new one in My truck. It was plug an play. No problems. Artie

I got mine from Bumper to bumper A/c Delco. Are You trying the same year as Your eng ???

yep same year. all 2001 to 2006s point back to a GM 12575172. It replaced a few old numbers.

Jay,

Its a hall effect sensor. Go home on lunch, put a volt meter on it, then run the end of it over a magnet and see if you get a signal.

I am sure your new one is defective, but it is also fun watching you throw parts at it. Lab scope is sitting in my tool box waiting for you hahaha

Its back running again with the 2nd new CPS. First one was junk for sure. Now just have to get out and water test again to see if that actually solved anything.

Only done 2 parts so far, one had a code and one is a common issue and that just because I dont know where else to look.

Shes going to run great. Let Us know. Artie

no luck boatman .. got the new senor in but wasnt the issue. Still ran very poor about 20 minutes out the gate even a good ten or so after I hit water temp. Then it woke up and ran good for 10-15 after that. that is all i did dint want to hurt any thing. Its not the on off like a switch I first had but is the same issue just seem to be fading after a good heat up. I should note when it was coming on and off it was on a rainy day with allot of moisture if that matters.

Not sure what else I can accomplish on my own at this point. might be time to get in line for a few weeks at the merc dealer here

Ck all fuel lines. Theres problems with ethanol on fuel lines.Rots on the inside. Put a gauge on it when running. Sounds like a fuel problem. Wish I was there to help. Spark, Fuel, Compression. What are You running for a fuel pump??? Just keep in mind it runs great untill a short time. Sounds like a fuel problem. Artie

had a fuel gauge on all last night. It was the manual gauge at the fuel rail. It help 42lbs at idle and all the way threw. Right where it should be. Fuel is very clean as well. Unless its in the injector im a leaning more for a spark issue. Is snaps an an off. The one wire I had change was sliced pretty good and if it was arching Im wonder if that would mess up a coil. Wish there was a simple at home way to test them for proper output.

no 4bus, Im not holding my hand on them to see what kind of shock i get :)

A miss fire should show up on the scan tool.

Not one misfire code, but I can tell you it is definately misfiring. The fact that this engine has been modified, and the MEFI4 ecu was useds makes me think it no longer tracks misfires on the ecu.

I am still saying one of the coils, or one of the new spark plug wires, but Gayboat....I mean Jboat won't listen to me :lolhit:

One of these....like I suggested monday :/

http://www.wayfair.com/Waekon-Indust...FUSK4AodK2zrZA

what about this,,,say the first new crank sensor was good,,you might have a bad wire at the plug ,or a broken wire,,going to the sensor

Just wondering. When the boat fails. Will it still miss at idle ? If so You should be able to pull plug wires to find the cylinder thats missing or read the plugs. Wet plug missing cylinder ??? Just asking. Hate trowing money away for nothing. Artie

i had the same type of problem, on my starboard 496. Had no balls then after about 10-15 mins ran strong. I hooked up my rinda scan after it cooled down & did the induced misfire test on each cylinder. found #7 wasnt changing the rpm's. Got back home did the injector test on #7 sounded fine, took plug wire off stuck a new plug in it & did the spark test on top of the engine so I could see the spark, was good. Installed the new plug & engine has ran strong with no issues since. Been almost a year now

JETDOC - I hope I have the same issue.

Well another week into this and still stuck in the same place. Took the boat to the Merc dealer here and they said 3 ½ weeks before they could even look at it. That’s pretty said, our summers are too short for that. I pulled it back out and its off to a side shop that does not know them motor well but is will to check the plugs, spark and injectors for me. I would have pulled the plugs a while ago but the exhaust will only let me get to 2 or them with out having to pull the manifold.

So here goes week 3 and hopefully he can narrow the field a bit for me this week. I just hope all of the plugs are not coming out wet. I had a local Chevy mechanic who knows the truck version of the 8.1 well on the phone and he thinks the computer might be dumping to much gas and not letting it out of warm up mode. He thought it could be a sensor reading a low temp. From what I saw on the scan tool however everything is in range with the exception of a -40 intake temperate reading. There however is no sensor at all for that and Crocket told me it should be turned off on the ECM.

Think we finally got it licked today. Paid the 4 hours labor to pull the manifold and get the new plugs in. Had 6 nice light brown plugs and 2 very black ones on the port side bank. New ones went in and she ran like it should tonight. Just hoping Im not going to have a re-occuring issue as they are not easy to get to. The bad plugs are attached.

Wow really. Dam hope alls well. Artie

Scan tool should have found that