bad ecu code engine not starting... help!

[cobalt240]

Last night the engine was running but something was pressing on top of the wires that go the ecu in engine bay. At first sign of problem, check engine light came on with alarm and went off. code went away. 5 minutes later engine shut off and would not restart, bad ecu read on dash. the object that had been resting on the wires pinched them, but none of the wires seems to be exposed or cut. All connections seem to be fine, and 50A breaker not tripped. I tried resetting ecu by disconnecting positive terminal and tapping a few times and reconnecting. Will still not start. Suggestions? The only thing I can think of is to splice the pinched wires. Is there a way to test and see if ecu is fried? Is there an ecu fuse that could have blown? Thanks in advance for any help provided!

2005 23 LSV Wakesetter

Edited June 3, 2011 by cobalt240

[Indyxc]

Last night the engine was running but something was pressing on top of the wires that go the ecu in engine bay. At first sign of problem, check engine light came on with alarm and went off. code went away. 5 minutes later engine shut off and would not restart, bad ecu read on dash. the object that had been resting on the wires pinched them, but none of the wires seems to be exposed or cut. All connections seem to be fine, and 50A breaker not tripped. I tried resetting ecu by disconnecting positive terminal and tapping a few times and reconnecting. Will still not start. Suggestions? The only thing I can think of is to splice the pinched wires. Is there a way to test and see if ecu is fried? Is there an ecu fuse that could have blown? Thanks in advance for any help provided!

2005 23 LSV Wakesetter

Hard to say from your descriptions, could be a ton of things wrong. I would start with disconnecting, cleaning and reconnecting the "cannon" plug on the side of your engine. Usually port side, port front corner of the engine. Usually when that gets loose, or dirty, issues arise.

What pushed down onto your engine and where?

[cobalt240]

Thanks for the reply! The ski pylon was removed by the engine bay and someone thought it would be a great idea to shove a pole down in there and use it. basically a 2" fence post. (not very happy at all ) anyways, straight down from there is the wires that control the ecu that it was resting on. Just spoke with the dealer and they said there is a fuse panel under the dash that it could have tripped one in there. Not sure where it is.

[Pistol Pete]

it would be a great idea to shove a pole down in there and use it. basically a 2" fence post.

YeeeeeeOuch!

I wouldn't let that guy use my boat again!

You need to find the circuit breaker panel under the dash and check all of them first.

Then, take a much closer look at the pinched wiring. Got a pic?

Did the boat run perfectly just before the fence post incident?

Edited June 3, 2011 by Pistol Pete

[tvano]

there is probably a large breaker up front, too.

my response has one just forward of the observers seat near the boat centerline.

[cobalt240]

YeeeeeeOuch!

I wouldn't let that guy use my boat again!

You need to find the circuit breaker panel under the dash and check all of them first.

Then, take a much closer look at the pinched wiring. Got a pic?

Did the boat run perfectly just before the fence post incident?

Looking for breaker panel now. Do you know what it looks like? Yes no problems at all until Fence Post Bandit jacked up the wiring.

I have a pic on my phone but don't know how to upload. I can mms you if you'd like to see. 678.571.5680

[cobalt240]

Checked all pinched wires and anything questionable I spliced. Now on the dash it is flashing ECU when key in on position. Also, engine hours are now reading zero. I think it must be a fuse, relay, or fried ecu. Still unable to find a fuse panel other than breakers located under the throttle.

[99response]

Checked all pinched wires and anything questionable I spliced. Now on the dash it is flashing ECU when key in on position. Also, engine hours are now reading zero. I think it must be a fuse, relay, or fried ecu. Still unable to find a fuse panel other than breakers located under the throttle.

Was the post actually resting on the ECM or the wires?

I wonder if a connection was broken internally in one of the two large connectors that go into the ECM - maybe worth checking w/ a multimeter.

-Chris

[tvano]

there is probably a large breaker up front, too.

my response has one just forward of the observers seat near the boat centerline.

the breaker i was referring to isn't on a panel.

after browsing the owners manual i realized it's the primary protection for all electrical loads.

you would not have any power if it was open.

my bad.

[coyote055]

In 13 years as an industrial electrician, I've seen one or two pinched wires. One test that we usually do is, grab each wire on each side of where it was pinched, and try to pull it apart (battery disconnected of course). Sometimes the copper will break but the insulation will remain intact where the wire is pinched. If the wire is broken, the insulation will either stretch or break. As a side note, there is a force in the universe that will allow your hands to find any sharp objects located near broken wires during the pull test. Good hunting.

[shawndoggy]

As a side note, there is a force in the universe that will allow your hands to find any sharp objects located near broken wires during the pull test. Good hunting.

I'm pretty sure this force works double on those of us with sedentary office jobs who like to play mechanic on the weekends. My hands are always a mess after a weekend of wrenching.

[cobalt240]

Thanks for all the help/advice. I've tried everything I know of. Still flashing ECU, engine turning over but not firing. Going to try to get a tow to the dealer and I'll let you guys know what they find. Hopefully it's not the computer :-/ ugh

[mean91eagle]

Hey cobalt just wondering if you figured out what the problem was?