2006 Indmar 383 with SPN 66017 code
 

Friends Malibu ski boat with a Indmar 383 and MEFI-5 is throwing code 66017 (Fuel Pump Relay 1 Voltage Below Normal or Shorted Low). The engine starts but will not allow it to rev more then about 1400 rpm or so. It has 3 relays, main power, Fuel pump and don't know what the third is used for.

It all started after he had issues with low battery which set codes for all his injectors. Replaced batteries and erased all codes and this one keeps coming back up. I downloaded the service manual and have yet to start the testing procedure, but could sure use a wiring diagram.

Swapped the 3 relays around all which ways, and remove/re-installed the connectors on the ECM. Was hoping for a bad connection, but no help. Anyone know where to get a wiring diagram or seen this fault code before?

We traced and rang out all wires and believe either need a new ECM or get the one we have re-flashed.

right up my little world here and a good puzzle at that. First things first - U have to watch out what you are doing here especially swapping relays and if power is on continuously because you will be buy a new MEFI 5 for this app.

Fault code or in Indmar terms is DTC = diagnostic trouble code and for your code SPN 66017 is a 3 part here depending

FMI 5 = fuel pump short low
FMI 6 Fuel Pump short High
FMI 7 fuel pump open circuit

You have the 3 main relays here.

MEFI systems relay or ( what GM calls it Powertrain Relay) this for the ign coil and the ign module, and the fuel injectors and the 02 heaters then of course J connector to the ECM.

Next is the Starter control relay

next is your problem circuit

Fuel pump relay as I said above FMI 5 thru 7 for relay being shorted low or high or open

to go into details and write a story book on how to test this Sorry I do not have the time at the moment.

What I will do is explain the circuit hopefully some insight to help.

when the ign key is turned on the control module enables the fuel pump relay and this will supply the voltage to the fuel pump. The fuel pump will remain enable if the engine is running or while cranking the engine over and only as well if the control module is receiving reference ign pulses. with that said if there is NO reference pulses - the control module will shut the fuel pump off. the control module monitors the voltage on the fuel pump circuit so if it detects incorrect voltage at the fuel pump relay control circuit it will set a fault code. IMO you will need to do ground testing of the fuel pump control circuit. The ECM is receiving incorrect voltage. I would even test voltage at the fuel pump as well also check its connections very closely. Also check back side engine ground(s)

Will do some more voltage measuring but we swapped relays when the engine was off. Agree the three relays are main, start slave and fuel pump. The start sequence is always wait until the pump stops running and then turn the key. Some times it start instantly and another time it takes 2 to 3 seconds and fires up. in all cases the error shows shows back up. Code is with fuel pump short or low. The concerning puzzle is it all started after the batteries went about dead

Have to run - so try clearing the DTC (fault code) properly - You said you have the manual correct.

what is voltage while running the engine at the battery(s) and at the the starter and at the Alternator ? Test it with power on then with key on and then with engine running - any voltage drop during that testing.

there is a trouble shooting list in the manual for DTC 66017. You can follow that. I do not have the manual here in front of me but in storage

I'm using my Rinda scan tool to clear the code. With the key on and engine not running I select erase codes, and it does. We restart the engine and within 20 seconds the check engine light shows up and the code has returned.

We have the manual and have gone thru all the steps except using the scan tool to turn the pump on/off. Figure the pump is currently being turned on/off by the ECM.

Report the steps you did and what is exactly going on currently to a T so I can look at it and think about it. Hopefully I can pin point your problem you have. can you give me the engine serial number for your app very important here. What kind of battery was installed and hopefully all power was off when you were changing relays out and even reinstalling the battery ? correct ? I will relook for your post about the info I need and again explain all of it to T. I bet I can figure it out. I will be available later.

Need the engine serial number - where is this boat located and any saltwater use and or corrosion or moisture issues that you can see of ?

Forgot tell me what service manual you are using as well or even put up a pic of it if you want to. Just saying.

When switching relays we did not disconnect the battery,
Will get serial number from the owner but may take a while. Owner lives in IN and boat is in TN, fresh water use only and inside and out side of the boat and engine is spotless, he is a clean freak.

Got my manual from http://www.bakesonline.com/boatinfo.aspx
And it's Indmar Service & Diagnostic Manual: MEFI 5 & 5A http://www.bakesonline.com/images/Me...5-5Amanual.pdf

Batteries are group 34 and Orbital Blue top

Still working on the serial number, waiting for a call back

Ok I will look for it later tonite or in the mourning and start the thinking process at that timeframe. have to run

Original engine serial number was 126805. This was replaced with a reman shortly after purchase because of hydrolock. Reman installed by dealer/Indmar and new serial number (long block) 152286

Edit: should add the fuel pump was replaced at the same time as the batteries.

Before - the train kept a rolling (Aerosmith) here lets ask has this boat / engine / wiring harness had any thing installed that would cause this problem besides the OEM stock set up and systems -

You know the Ghetto Blasters all the stereo BS, 100 speakers, 10 tower speakers and 10 amps installed total of 50 K watts of power, 6 remotes, 500 pounds of batteries, 300 pounds of monster cable these guys throw at their boat ? Sorry man had to ask. Not the first time - I seen it done wrecking havoc on the engine systems and not uncommon either. OK maybe I am going a little overboard but really asking about it ?

hooked up batteries wrong ?

Inverters

wrong size battery cables

spliced into key switch wiring harness or any engine harness ?

Pulling relays with engine power / 12 Volts applied is not the best thing in the world to do for the ignition and electrical component systems. Just saying especially when it comes to ECM / PCM engines

Was the fuel pump change with battery power on ?

Boat has two batteries and each with its own switch and isolated except when needing charged by a combiner. Stereo was added by owner

Just got off the phone with the owner and I'm thinking more about a bad ground on the coil side of the relay. This is the Paul Harvey the rest of the story
In July batteries were getting weak, and every so often had issues with a check engine, but managed to keep it going. Made it out to a cove and after sitting for some time the engine would not start and the fuel pump would not turn on. Was towed back to dock.

Replaced batteries and fuel pump figuring he had two issues. Still turn the key and fuel pump did not run. Took it back home, swapped to relays and the pump came on and it would run.

Prior check engine would not come on very often, now it comes on within 20 seconds. With swapping the relay I'm thinking a bad ground or pin connection on the coil. ECM is reading the amount of current being used to hold relay in and with a bad connection the current is reduced due to resistance in the connection. Wires were rang out but not the ground.

I hear that as I said in post # 2 last sentence - about ground testing the fuel pump circuit(s) and of course all related grounds.

Agree, wasn't there during the ringing out, will look into it and get back

reason for asking these questions plus blind attempting try at fixing these issue(s)

Fuel pump - external engine mounted if so how many fuel pumps 1 or 2

or does this app have 2 fuel pumps installed in the gas tank

Also if ONLY one fuel pump mounted external engine side there can be a second fuel pump circuit for this app as one not being used - it will have or should have a dust cover cap installed over the connector. If so try swapping the connector to plug in to your existing one being used to see if anything changes.

Next what is your fuel pressure readings ?

Next is this app does has external engine side mounted fuel pump (s) pull out the fuel pressure regulator and clean the screen on it.

next is all of that ground and ground circuit testing will have to be done if nothing changes to hopefully find your problem(s)

App has only one pump, according to the manual I found shows in take pump started in 2007. Verified with look at tank

Will verify next time at the boat

Did not test do to no engine codes for pressure and engine appears to run. Would also need to pick up a gauge, only have one to test low pressure pumps.

Will do

He should not have MEFI 6 in this app as it one external fuel pump and NON catalyst engine - Is this correct about what his app consists of here ?

Since it didn't have an app with this engine is the reason I sent you the PM. His comment was that this code in the 6 manual was listed as an ECM failure, while 5 manual does not. I'm using the 5 manual

^^^^ I have all the Service manuals but in storage so t will have to say. If I ever get a chance to pull them out but really do not have because I remember most of them very well.

Indmar DTC / fault code for MEFI 6 - SPN - 66017 is the exact same for MEFI 5 - MEFI 5 a & MEFI 5 b

For MEFI 6 this exact same code all means the exact same as MEFI 5.

I have a photographic memory and I remember this 1000% is the exact same code. MEFI 4 does not carry this DTC fauilt code 66017 FYI.

your friend is wrong for MEFI 6 - DTC / fault code 66017 is ECM failure. Again it is the same exact DTC fault code as MEFI 5, 5 a & 5 b as to what is posted in this thread from you and myself. - just saying

Solution found: Ran through all test again, used scan tool to test fuel pump, it worked. Rang out all wires and found no issues. The issue was the terminal lug attached to the fuel pump on the 12V side. Lugged wiggled and when pulled it came off. Put new terminal lug on, cleared codes fired it up, no new codes. Put old fuel pump back on, took out for a run no problems.

Using the troubleshooting guide would never had found the problem. It runs you through all the testing, clearing the code, and take out for test drive. If test drive found code you start all over.

Pesky terminal lug

Thanks for the follow up and in my last post was 99.99 % sure it was not the ECM especially knowing what the code was and being set constantly.

Both of us blind here trying to fix something and who knows the fault code could have been self inflicted by however - but the answer was just sitting there in the last sentence of post # 2.

"I would check voltage at the fuel pump as well and check its CONNECTIONS VERY CLOSELY "

Glad its fixed and really not a hard one to fix with a simple volt meter and having hands & eyes completely on it.