Computron Troubleshooting

[JDubya]

I thought I would good to start a thread dedicated to anyone looking to revive their Computron. Consider it a sharing of information.

I have had the same problem since I purchased my boat many years ago, and finally got tired of looking at it. Either I get it working or the Computron is gonna go all together.

Problem:

When you turn the key it displays "Malibu Boats" and flashes all the other lights temporarily. Then the displays clear and the numerical display reads "0" and stays that way.

Failed solutions:

I have traced all electrical wires and eliminated the possibility that I have a short

I have also ordered replacement IEEE (software) card from Malibu....same result. I followed the installation instructions to the letter and was not able to "re-flash the software" to the computer. It still has the same symptoms as before.

I noticed however that the software cards are different. The old card had yellow plastic piece and new card had a yellow plastic piece.

Anyone have any insight into if this significant.....can anyone with a 93 confirm the correct color of a working software card.

Here are some part numbers that I got from Malibu for existing 93 parts:

Software card #373-1005

Computer Module # 373-1004

My suspicion is that the computer itself has failed and is no longer able to run the program and acts as if there is no software chip installed.

[JDubya]

Spoke with Tim at Malibu and found out some new insight.

The diagnosis guide points to the display unit (372-7009) and/or the computer module (373-1004). He explained that the display unit has a computer chip inside which processes the data signal from the computer.

I will try replacing the computer module next and then finally the display module and report back why I find.

[Michigan boarder]

I'm afraid to remove mine just to check. But mine is a 94 anyway.

Great idea with the thread. I'll be digging into mine over the winter. My problems are:

1. Depth guage doesn't work

2. Water temp says "line open"

3. Clock doesn't keep accurate time

4. Steering wheel controls light up but don't change functions

5. Left side LED's are occasionally slightly brighter (in text area)

[JDubya]

1. I think you are SOL, but I can send you a troubleshooting guide to help diagnose what specifically is wrong (give me your e-mail)

2. Here is what the guide says....

DISPLAY SHOWS "LINE OPEN" ON THEAIR/SEA TEMP DISPLAY

The most commoncause of this problem is a loose wire at the one of the plugs located on the computer or on the Bilge Harness plug (See Figure 2,3 and Wiring Schematic#34038SH2).

3. ...Not sure this can be addressed.

3. These are using an infared pick up. There are 3 pick up sensors. Try pulling the IR reciver behind the steering wheel and clean them really well with some Electrical cleaner. Try a fresh battery if you haven't already...signal could be weak.

5. Remove the barrel connector and clean all connections with electrical cleaner.

Anyone know the the depth transducer is comatable with any aftermarket sounders?

[Michigan boarder]

Now you've got my wheels turning, and I'm going to start in on this.

PM sent shortly, thank you very much.

[JDubya]

Now you've got my wheels turning, and I'm going to start in on this.

PM sent shortly, thank you very much.

E-mail sent

[JDubya]

Ok, so the dealer wants $300+ a piece for the computer module and the display module....citing that the reason for the high price is that it is an "obsolete part."

WTF!?! Isn't that like twice what the parts cost to replace when the boat was new?

Isn't that counterintuitive? Do they know what the term dead stock is? I would think they would want to get rid of these puppies at a resonable price to make room for more current inventory.

This is very frustrating.

[Michigan boarder]

My card has a blue plastic piece on the end with tabs to keep it in place. Pics are down or I'd upload a pic. It has 1992 UNIFORCE TECH. on the top and XL1-0 on the side.

Edit: Though you already know, my engine is the carb 265hp Merc, so I have the 93..2 version just like yours, as you mentioned in your email. Thought I'd put that on here for anyone else looking.

Edited October 6, 2009 by Michigan boarder

[94echellon]

Mines a 94 and since ive had it the depth gauge never worked. the alarm is set for 4 ' and went off once since ive owned it so i dont think it works either. The rest of the functions worked great until this year when the computron went blank, wen i shut off the boat and restarted it everything seemed okay except my hour meter now reads over 4000 hours on the boat instead of 480. i cant figure it out....any ideas?

[JDubya]

My card has a blue plastic piece on the end with tabs to keep it in place. Pics are down or I'd upload a pic. It has 1992 UNIFORCE TECH. on the top and XL1-0 on the side.

Edit: Though you already know, my engine is the carb 265hp Merc, so I have the 93..2 version just like yours, as you mentioned in your email. Thought I'd put that on here for anyone else looking.

This matches precisely to the replacement chip I bought (that didn't change a thing). So I guess I will keep it for now. Talked to the old man and we are trying to locate a scope to trace through the circuitry.

[JDubya]

Mines a 94 and since ive had it the depth gauge never worked. the alarm is set for 4 ' and went off once since ive owned it so i dont think it works either. The rest of the functions worked great until this year when the computron went blank, wen i shut off the boat and restarted it everything seemed okay except my hour meter now reads over 4000 hours on the boat instead of 480. i cant figure it out....any ideas?

I have a diagnosis guide that provides a good test to trouble shoot the depth sounder. I am not able to post it up to the site maybe one of the mods can post it up under the Resources Section. For now send me your e-mail and I foward it to you. It should help you determine if your depth sounder is working or if you have a bad transducer.

[Michigan boarder]

Mines a 94 and since ive had it the depth gauge never worked. the alarm is set for 4 ' and went off once since ive owned it so i dont think it works either. The rest of the functions worked great until this year when the computron went blank, wen i shut off the boat and restarted it everything seemed okay except my hour meter now reads over 4000 hours on the boat instead of 480. i cant figure it out....any ideas?

The trouble shooting guide says:

Problem: Engine hours jumps up on standard system

Solution: Replace the computer. Tell us how many hours the boat should have.

So it seems there is no repair for that. Just for clarification, is yours EFI or carb? LuvtheBu has EFI and hers did the same a few months ago, just wondering if there is any correlation between the 1994 EFI version (94-Pres B) and the 1994 carb version (93..2) of computron systems.

[JDubya]

So it seems there is no repair for that. Just for clarification, is yours EFI or carb? LuvtheBu has EFI and hers did the same a few months ago, just wondering if there is any correlation between the 1994 EFI version (94-Pres B) and the 1994 carb version (93..2) of computron systems.

Manual States:

94-Pres B Used in 94 model year on EFI engines only. 94 Pres. B gave us the capability to get the Tac. Signal and fuel flow information from the ECM on the engine. 94Pres B will only work in the BFI computer (93 Y2BFI and 95 EFI) 94 Pres. B did not have the capability ta.display BFIFault Codes.

This would lead me to beleive that the general architec (operating code) was likely the exact same as the carb version. Except they had new data inputs and stored fault codes, but it is likey that they had to alter the software to comminucate with the engine electronics.

I would suspect that the hours are spiking this might be a precursor to overall failure. What we need to know is how the engine hours are captured and stored and what changed in this process from the 93 to 94 versions.

"And so the plot thinckens.... (scratches head)"

[94echellon]

it is the EFI

[playhard]

Ok, so the dealer wants $300+ a piece for the computer module and the display module....citing that the reason for the high price is that it is an "obsolete part."

WTF!?! Isn't that like twice what the parts cost to replace when the boat was new?

Isn't that counterintuitive? Do they know what the term dead stock is? I would think they would want to get rid of these puppies at a resonable price to make room for more current inventory.

This is very frustrating.

I feel you pain the dealers are blood suckers, especially when they know they have your over the barrel.

[JDubya]

it is the EFI

I would suspect not, as I beleive the engine hours that the computron displays are stored internally. If it is EFI you should be able to get the correct hours off the ECM (there should be a discrepancy between the two)....however I don't think there is a way to "correct" the hour meter within the computron.

What leads you to suspect the EFI (ECM)?

[Michigan boarder]

it is the EFI

I would suspect not, as I beleive the engine hours that the computron displays are stored internally. If it is EFI you should be able to get the correct hours off the ECM (there should be a discrepancy between the two)....however I don't think there is a way to "correct" the hour meter within the computron.

What leads you to suspect the EFI (ECM)?

I think he meant he has the EFI engine, in response to my question. My point is to identify trends or similarities with the symptoms and which system they are operating with. It's interesting that LuvtheBu's hour meter went wacky and her engine is EFI, and 94echellon's did also and his is EFI. Has anyone with the carb engine had hour meter issues?

[JDubya]

Gotcha!

I think you are on to somthing. I don't think anyone with the carb motor has had that issue.

Edited October 7, 2009 by Ramman17

[luvtheBU]

I'll add something else my computron does. When I turn the heater on my depth guage reads - - - or you guessed it nothing at all. I am pretty sure my hours got messed up in the horrific downpour we had right before we were getting ready to launch and I didn't have my cover with us.

[1997vlx]

I would like it for someone to email me that troubleshooting guide if possible [email protected] is my email address.

[JDubya]

I would like it for someone to email me that troubleshooting guide if possible [email protected] is my email address.

Sent... Please post your issues as we are trying to compile a comrehensive list of problems and solutions. Chances are someone else is having or has had the problem you are experiencing.

Jonny

[JDubya]

1997vlx...

E-mail kicked it back stating that "the following e-mail address is not currently accepting mesages."

Maybe your box is full. PM or e-mail me and I'll give it another go.

[1997vlx]

1997vlx...

E-mail kicked it back stating that "the following e-mail address is not currently accepting mesages."

Maybe your box is full. PM or e-mail me and I'll give it another go.

[email protected] I am not sure why my email would have done that my other email is [email protected] if you could send a copy to both I would greatly appreciate it thanks Ed

My problem is that when I turn on the boat I get nothing on the display what so ever. Just bought the boat a couple of weeks ago so I have no idea what led to this problem I do know it got a new motor 2 years ago but everything appears to be factory with the wiring and harnesses. I realy need a wiring diagram to check for suply voltage for the computron.

[pvmatman]

I thought I would good to start a thread dedicated to anyone looking to revive their Computron. Consider it a sharing of information.

I have had the same problem since I purchased my boat many years ago, and finally got tired of looking at it. Either I get it working or the Computron is gonna go all together.

Problem:

When you turn the key it displays "Malibu Boats" and flashes all the other lights temporarily. Then the displays clear and the numerical display reads "0" and stays that way.

Failed solutions:

I have traced all electrical wires and eliminated the possibility that I have a short

I have also ordered replacement IEEE (software) card from Malibu....same result. I followed the installation instructions to the letter and was not able to "re-flash the software" to the computer. It still has the same symptoms as before.

I noticed however that the software cards are different. The old card had yellow plastic piece and new card had a yellow plastic piece.

Anyone have any insight into if this significant.....can anyone with a 93 confirm the correct color of a working software card.

Here are some part numbers that I got from Malibu for existing 93 parts:

Software card #373-1005

Computer Module # 373-1004

My suspicion is that the computer itself has failed and is no longer able to run the program and acts as if there is no software chip installed.

[pvmatman]

Hello,

Did you ever get your Computron working properly? I have the exact same problem in a 94 Echelon with EFI.