Yammy F115 4-str engine management light question

Ovey · 05 March 2014, 20:11

Hi all,

I put the boat into the water today for the first time since november. I have a Yamaha F115 4-stroke on the back of it, and after checking the fuel was primed, oil levels, etc, started her up. The engine took a few turns before she fired, then sounded a bit "juddery" for 30 secs or so before settling down and sounding as good as usual as I did my final preps.

I set off and got half way to the entrance to the marina when the bar above the oil lamp symbol came on and the engine management light started to flash at me. I turned round straight away and went back in.

I re-checked the oil levels (all ok) and went to speak to the outboard engineers up in their workshop. They told me to check for the telltale, that the oil wasn't "milky" and there was plenty of oil in it - all fine. They said it is possibly a sensor somewhere and the engine had gone into "limp mode". I started her once again and the oil "bar" had disappeared but the flashing EM symbol remained. I shut her off after 30 secs or so and came home.

I have now done a complete oil change on my drive (as the EM checks for oil contamination as well as levels) and will take it back out again tomorrow to see if this makes any difference. Other than that, does anyone have any ideas where to look?

Oh yeah - I am an outboard novice mechanic!!

Boats&Outboards · 05 March 2014, 20:50

Count the number of flashes from the management symbol on the sequence as that's the fault code. Once you have that you can google it for an idea of the problem

www.BoatsandOutboards4Sale.co.uk

Ovey · 05 March 2014, 20:52

Ah right. It flashed twice, went off then twice, off, twice, off.........

I'll have a look. Thanks.

Boats&Outboards · 05 March 2014, 21:08

Here's the codes

1 normal
13 pulser coil signal
15 engine temp sensor signal
18 throttle positional sensor signal
19 battery voltage
23 intake air temp sensor signal
28 neutral switch signal
29 intake air pressure sensor signal
37 Idle speed control
39 oil pressure
44 engine stop lanyard switch signal
45 shift cut out switch
46 thermoswitch signal

Twice, twice is code 22 I think that's the full list above so how sure are you on twice, twice as it doesn't show a 22 fault code.

www.BoatsandOutboards4Sale.co.uk

Ovey · 05 March 2014, 21:20

Hmm, if that's the full list then I'm not 100% sure! I'll go have a play tomorrow (weather/wife dependant!) and see what happens now I've changed the oil. At least I should be able to look at the fault codes, now I know what I'm looking for. (Have also Googled, and found that holding the "Mode" button on the round Tacho gauge for 10s will show the actual code too).

Thanks for your help.

gordir999 · 06 March 2014, 09:10

Probably not practicle for you due to location etc. but if you need it, I have the Yamaha diagnostic software and interface cable on a laptop your welcome to borrow if it would help.

Let's hope it's a sensor fault and not something "real"

Sibbo90 · 06 March 2014, 09:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by gordir999

Probably not practicle for you due to location etc. but if you need it, I have the Yamaha diagnostic software and interface cable on a laptop your welcome to borrow if it would help.

Let's hope it's a sensor fault and not something "real"

That's a kind offer.... i am just up the road from you and was wondering if i ever experience any problems you can extend the same kind facility to me?

Johnscubanut · 06 March 2014, 10:41

We had very similar fault with our yam 115. turned out to be the ecu duff! Bhg marine at Lymington (good guys) tested for us by putting in a known good unit & water testing on the Solent. Confirmed that the ecu had gone!!
Depends on the year of your engine, I think if pre-2006 a Mercury ecu will fit & be half price! Still looking at around £700 though! Ahhhhhh!!!!
I really hope its something simple though?

Ovey · 06 March 2014, 10:57

Hi all, thanks for the offers and advice!

It would seem that the oil change has fixed it! I'm not able to get out today but I connected the water hose up to the flushing hose and started her up (checked with a Yammy mechanic who said this was fine for idling and very low revs over periods of less than 20 minutes or so). The engine light has gone off and there appeared to be no problems for the 4-5 minutes she was running in neutral/low revs in gear.

Fingers crossed she stays like that when I do get her in the water again.

two stroke mick · 06 March 2014, 11:03

Should you question why a oil change cured the problem?

gordir999 · 06 March 2014, 11:08

Phew! Hope that was it, Nothing's cheap to fix on these things is it!

Sibbo90, I will check but your profile says your motor has Carbs so I'm not sure the software is compatible, if it is and you need it then the offer would stand. :-)

Ovey · 06 March 2014, 11:27

I hope it is the cure! Fingers crossed!

Ovey · 06 March 2014, 11:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by two stroke mick

Should you question why a oil change cured the problem?

AIUI the engine management system monitors the quality of the oil as well as the amount. When I changed it, the oil looked as though it had been there for a while and was quite thick/dark (last serviced at 100hrs, 173hrs on it now. I've only put 10 hours on it and I don't know what use/standing the engine had done with the previous owner).

So I'll take it for another test run soon and then just keep a watchful eye til I service it in 25ish hours.

Sibbo90 · 06 March 2014, 11:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by gordir999

Phew! Hope that was it, Nothing's cheap to fix on these things is it!

Sibbo90, I will check but your profile says your motor has Carbs so I'm not sure the software is compatible, if it is and you need it then the offer would stand. :-)

Top man, not sure myself, hopefully i won't have the need to find out.

Ovey · 07 March 2014, 18:32

Success!

I took the boat for a couple of spins today with the missus and youngest boy (broken up by a spot of lunch) and there wasn't a hint of a problem. The engine started on the first turn and didn't miss a beat all day. I only got it up to around 25knts but I'm happy it was just the oil quality (or a spurious sensor with the oil change not doing any harm).

Johnscubanut · 07 March 2014, 19:14

Great result then!

Ovey · 07 March 2014, 23:46

Yeah, definitely! I spoke to an outboard mechanic who "sucked through his teeth" which is always bad, but feel better for having thought about what could be wrong and fixed it myself!

jyasaki · 08 March 2014, 18:56

Nice job, Ovey.

Glad you're up and running again.

jky