Can an ECM be rebuilt?

jpradil

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Joined
May 11, 2006
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2
I HAVE a 1998 Suzuki DF 60, EFI, 4 stroke which surges and won't go above 3200 rpm. If I stop the motor and ram throttle the motor jumps up and runs smoothly but still won't go over 3200 because of rev limiter. I have replaced high & low pressure fuel filters, fuel pump diaphram, new spark plugs, primer bulb, used a new aux fuel tank, new H2O impeller & housing (at a outboard marine shop) Shop cleaned the injectors, said compression was good. Fuel rail pressure was good. They changed oil & grease in lower unit. Only charged $300 because they couldn't figure out problem. Spent another $230 from an individual who works on motors. Said the coil was good, no air leaks, no bad sensors and thinks the ECM is bad. The part is $1100. I have an old pontoon boat and use it in a small fresh water lake. Anyone know of a place to send the ECM to be tested And repaired? Thanks
 

clanton

Rear Admiral
Joined
Jul 9, 2001
Messages
4,876
Re: Can an ECM be rebuilt?

Did you check the switch down by the shift lever, looks like a neutral safety switch, if the switch is bad engine will be limited to app 3000 rpms.
 

JB

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Messages
45,907
Re: Can an ECM be rebuilt?

A Shop/Service Manual is an awful lot less bux than a new ECM, jpradil. Might save you the whole price.

Trying to work on/troubleshoot any outboard without one is plain foolish . I think that goes in spades for an EFI 4 stroke.
 

jpradil

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Joined
May 11, 2006
Messages
2
Re: Can an ECM be rebuilt?

Thanks for the input. I do have the service manual and did some of the work myself. I was a jet mechanic years ago in the Marine Corps (F-4 Phantoms). I do get a buzzer when the ignition is turned on and the lights come on momentairly for rev limit, oil lamp, temp and ck engine. They do not, however, flash like they used to to indicate hours of use. I have read on this forum where some people had replaced the ECM and still had a problem. Neither the local boat shop or the individual I took the boat to had the diagnoistic equipment to test the ECM. It could be as simple as a bad diode but I'm not smart enough to determine this myself. Just thought someone would know of a place that specialized in analyzing this component.
 

rodbolt

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 1, 2003
Messages
20,066
Re: Can an ECM be rebuilt?

ECM problems on yamaha and suzuki motors are similar to finding fossilized hens teeth. it just dont happen much,
use a timing light and a Kv tester to check timing and spark to each cyl at the problem RPM range.
if you still suspect a fuel isssue spray some down the air horns at the problem RPM under LOAD, reving the engine with no load is NOT wise.
and it also tells you nothing other than it can rev with no load.
 
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