200 Optimax no throttle

[hondon]

200 0ptimax saltwater has an intermittant problem with no throttle response when the control is moved.Serial # OT306392.When scanned we get freeze frame codes in this order and all at 356 hours .The time the engine had on it when it came to us.5 VDC PWR LO,MAP INPUT LO,TPI1 CKT LO ,BLK PSI CKT LO.Changed the impeller to address the low water pressure issue and it had a little set to it.Water tested the unit and ,of course ,things worked great.Anything jumping out at anybody.There are alot of accessories on this boat.Electric downriggers,remote controled spotlights,and all the usual electronics.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: 200 Optimax no throttle

hondon<br /> without my code book I am winging it. if 5vdc is low you really should have had more codes or at least some funny numbers. the 5vdc is a reference voltage for most the sensors from the computer/ECU. check all grounds and battery cables/connections. especially if the wires have been spliced for cable extension.

 

[rabidfish]

Re: 200 Optimax no throttle

If all those codes showed up at one time you have a ground issue. Look for the common ground circuit on the engine for all those sensors. My guess is you'll find a wire off, or a bad pin in a connector someplace.<br /><br />You do have the proper Opti service manual/wiring diagram... right?

 

[hondon]

Re: 200 Optimax no throttle

Thank you for the VERY quick responses,gentlemen.I am working from the appropriate manual for this engine .Code book?Is there a page or chapter in that manual that I am overlooking?Anyway, thanks for the advice,and we will give ALL those electrical connections another once over .Keep em coming if you have something else.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: 200 Optimax no throttle

Something almost always jumps out at me concerning odd Opti operation. Wimpy battery.<br /><br />Precisely what battery or batteries do you have? I've found that a lot of weird codes and/or running issues = insufficient battery. It is critical to realize that the minimum required battery isn't going to be enough once you start adding gadgets that suck juice. The rating the factory gives is for the motor requirements alone. Any boat requirements would be above and beyond. I find that you can't put too big of a battery on EFIs or DFIs. A Regular-duty is never enough for any Opti. Heavy-duty is borderline and definately insufficient once you start adding pumps and electronics. You should have nothing smaller than an Extra-heavy-duty starting attery in that setup.<br /><br />Please throw those stupid battery wingnuts away and get yourself some good stainless steel hex nuts. Another common problem is finger-tight battery connections which is never sufficient. Wingnuts promote laziness. Hex nuts require you to snug them up with a tool and should always mean a tighter connection. It's amazing how many problems I see where the battery and/or battery connections are the only problem, or created more problems to deal with. A good 25% of the stuff I work on can be tracked down to a bad battery or those stupid wingnuts.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: 200 Optimax no throttle

Wing nuts are fine if tightened sufficiently. Lack of a star washer (internal or external tooth) is the problem. These terminals need some "bite" for solid electrical contact.

 

[rabidfish]

Re: 200 Optimax no throttle

Lack of a good connection is the problem...<br />However you accomplish it...

 

[hondon]

Re: 200 Optimax no throttle

I,ve been thru the battery issue with these engines in the past .I usually encourage my users to start fresh each season.This unit is using Exide XXHD 24s as there is no room for any other twin arrangement.These batteries pack 1000 mca and I have'nt found anything else that comes close locally.I do not use wing nuts but stainless star washers are a little hard to come by up here and copper just adds to the fray in the salt.I did'nt get back to this unit today but I'll keep you all posted .Thanks,Don.

 

[butlp]

Re: 200 Optimax no throttle

hondon,<br />Home Depot has a good selection of stainless nuts and washers.

 

[hondon]

Re: 200 Optimax no throttle

No such establishment up here but I did just pop the top of a cold and frosty.

 

[outboardguy]

Re: 200 Optimax no throttle

If I were you I think I would start removing connections at the sensors that were having problems and verify that the ECM is sending the 5 volt reference.Seems to me that one of your sensors may be directly closed and sending the 5 volts directly to ground,leaving the other sensors on that ground circuit reading voltage low.

 

[hondon]

Re: 200 Optimax no throttle

We water tested this unit again last week after installing 2 new XXHD batteries.While running and using all accessories we encountered no problems after an hours worth of use.Shipped it Friday but the weather has been crappy up here so I doubt it has been put to the real test.Thanks.