Mercruiser Gateway frustrations

davidbrooks

So when I took my boat out on the Shakedown Cruise both engines were showing up fine. Then about halfway through the cruise one engine drops off. I don't have any signals coming up to the dash at all. The only signals that I can reliably get or for the port engine. I got a new Gateway and when I put it all together it worked as I would have expected. When I put all of the wiring back and put in zip ties it stopped working again. These intermittent issues are frustrating. Feels like i have a bad wire. Just not easy to diagnose. I swapped the wires going to the engines and got the same results. Now it looks like i need to order another crossover cable. Mercruiser gave me about 15 min on the phone then told me it was taking to long and i needed to go to a dealer. Grrrr.

LaRea

Strange.  Was it only cables being bundled with zip ties, or cables and connectors?  I figured those cables should tolerate a pretty tight bend radius.  

davidbrooks

I dont bend the wires at the connectors too much but it is a likely spot to look. Its always been my starboard engine that i lose so logic is its the starboard wire. Swap it with port and i still only have port. 

Ian

I’d be looking close at the connectors.

davidbrooks

Yep. Thats the plan. Disconnect one at a time. Push wires. Wait and see if it changes.

Ian

With them connected push in a thin blade screwdriver and wiggle around and watch the display, you may pin point the culprit that way.

davidbrooks

The problem is that the screen has a 30 sec delay due to using NMEA. It is fixed. I wish i could say i knew exactly what did it. I tried to straighten out the fittings but in the end i had to disconnect the port engine and just get it working with the starboard engine. Then add back in port.

YYZRC

Disappointing that Merc tech support brushed you off.  They did the same to me; I had to have the marina tech call on my behalf.

davidbrooks

So the other wierd thing is that the engines keep switching from port to starboard on my garmin. It all depends on the order i start them up. Start up port first it is seen as engine 1. Start up starboard first it is engine 1. I am gonna have to just be consistent with always starting port first. I didnt notice this last year...but it may of been happening and i just didnt realize it. I normally do start port first most of the time.

Handymans342

@davidbrooks. It’s got to be the microwaves form the UFOs above your boat. Just sayin

davidbrooks

There were times when i was thinking the same thing.

Handymans342

davidbrooks said:

There were times when i was thinking the same thing.

That's what happens when you disrespect the Handys thread. LMAO

Ian

Did you check out Conwell on FB Handy, you’d love his stuff.