Check Engine Alarm!

Spirit of Gratitude

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 24, 2009
Messages
334
Fluid Motion Model
C-288 C
Hull Identification Number
R2924
Vessel Name
Spirit of Gratitude
MMSI Number
338105727
Having an issue with engine alarm on my R-29 with Yanmar 6BY2

Upon turning the key to the first position,The engine Alarm comes on with the display saying "Check Engine" even though the engine is not running. The display offers no other help. The alarm stays on if I re-start the engine until it heats up. Once the temperature reaches exactly 120 degrees (or more), I can turn off the engine and restart it without the alarm going off. Won't work if I try this at ≤119 degrees.

I can run the boat normally, start and stop the engine all day without problem as long as the engine temperature does not sink below 120. Trying to restart the engine while its temperature is ≤119 results in the Engine Alarm coming back on until it warms up to 120 and I stop and restart. I live with the ear splitting alarm for up to 10 minutes until 120 is reached, but this certainly isn't working right.
 
First, may I suggest folks search for and continue the thread should they find their topic in an old discussion, rather than start a new thread. That keeps all the great advice in one spot. In this case, the original thread is http://www.tugnuts.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=4480 where more information can be found. A pet peeve, but that's why we have continuous threads on the same topic that sometimes span years.

Stuart on Spirit of Gratitude has an 2010(?) R-29 with a BY6 engine, whereas I have an 2009 R-25 with a 2011 engine (remember that little oil pipe problem?), with what I think is exactly the same problem as Stuart's–the year of the engine will become relevant later.

My Problem: Upon turning the key to the first position, the glow lamp lights and then goes out and the ear splitting audible Engine Alarm comes on with the display saying "Check Engine" even though the engine is not running. The display offers no other help. The alarm stays after I start the engine until it heats up. Once the temperature reaches exactly 120 degrees (or more), I can turn off the engine and restart it without the alarm going off. Won't work if I try this at ≤119 degrees. I can run the boat normally, start and stop the engine all day without problem as long as the engine temperature does not sink below 120. Trying to restart the engine while its temperature is ≤119 results in the Engine Alarm coming back on until it warms up to 120 and I stop and restart. I live with the ear splitting alarm for up to 10 minutes until 120 is reached, but this certainly isn't working right. In the original thread on this subject (see link above) you can read how the alarm indirectly caused me horrid embarrassment in Edgartown in 2013 (involved a fashion failure) for which I am probably still remembered!

Here's what I've learned: Mack Boring was convinced it was a bad heater module, but replacing it was no help. They no longer do service work (bummer) but Norman is still there to provide advice. Disconnecting the battery pack or resetting the computer (ECU) were no help. The good folks at Niemiec Marine travelled to Cape Cod from New Bedford and they replaced my glow plug module which was no help. However, with no glow plug module attached to the ECU, no alarm! They're coming tomorrow to look over the wiring, but the problem is almost certainly in the computer programming. Mine ran OK for a number of hours after the re-power until it just started alarming, and it sounds like Stuart's problem occurred after many hours of normal operation.

The solution: The mechanic tells me the glow plug module does nothing else but mediate this alarm–I don't even know why it's there as we have a glow plug lamp indicator on our dashboards, I guess it is supposed to indicate some kind of problem but what use is that if we don't know what the problem is? The module was not on the older engines, so I'm guessing they started using it in 2010 given Stuart's situation. I can't recall when Ranger switched over to Volvo's (?2012-13) so maybe there aren't enough BY engines out there since 2010 for this problem to erupt more often. Anyway, it seems this problem is starting to occur more frequently as our boats and we age.

The past: Here's a message I got from another R29 owner (I don't have permission to reveal their name) but it may shed further light. Note the clever method to silence the Yanmar Display alarm (which didn't work for me) in bold, but would be very cool if it works for you:
We have the same issue and the codes that show up on the scanner are all related to the glow plugs and the glow plug controller. When the engine temp reaches the set point for the glow plugs the alarm drops off the display but the event is still recorded by the engine ECM. Our tug is at the Yanmar dealer's shop and we hope to isolate the issue. It is likely a connection that is not making adequate contact. I am not sure what glow plug controller you have but if you can disconnect it, do so and see what happens. Also when the alarm sounds depress the first and next to last display buttons simultaneously to see if you can silence the alarm. If your alarm light glows at a low level even when everything is O.K., Yanmar has a bridge diode plug in that will correct that condition.
Anyway, I'll try to snap a picture of that glow plug module thing that is likely buried under the computer tomorrow and post it along with what happens. I'm also installing an Aqualarm system to alert me if there is low water flow out of the sea water strainer to the engine due to cloggage (or I forgot to open the valve) and an exhaust temp alarm. I'll take some pictures of that and post them on the old thread on that subject, rather than create a new thread, here on Tugnuts...
 
Yikes! I found some information I got via private message from another tugnutter on this subject regarding the older thread on this topic. This fellow (again I don't have permission to use his name, and some prefer not to air their boat problems in public–should it be for sale, for example). His difficulties started after an lightning storm knocked out all his electronics. This fellow in 04/14 contacted Ranger Tugs and on good authority was told that Yanmar never connected the glow plugs on any of the engines installed on Ranger Tugs. I'm thinking he meant the module, since without the glow plugs the engine can't start. This seems to explain why only a very few boats with BY engines have this occur. Thus, if you've had major work done like this fellow (he needed an entire new wiring harness) or me who replaced his engine the mechanics may have hooked up the glow plug module which is not needed, nor done originally at the factory. Stuart, maybe someone worked on your engine or its ECU and connected up the glow plug module when they shouldn't have?

Anyway, the solution seems increasingly to be: disconnect the glow plug module from the ECU.
 
JerryE":3mek8f1u said:
[...] I'm thinking he meant the module, since without the glow plugs the engine can't start.[...]

This can't be right??? Glow plugs may be needed when it's very cold, but in moderate ambient temperatures the engine should start fine without them. I've never activated the glow plugs in the Yanmar on my sailboat.

Can someone back me up on this? Or correct me?
 
Thanks to everyone for the information posted here! My boat is in the mountains of Colorado and the closest Yanmar mechanic is about 1000 miles away on the California coast so whatever troubleshooting advice I get hear is greatly appreciated!
Right now I just have to figure out where the glow plug module is located. If anyone has a photo or information on that that would also be greatly appreciated!

Thanks again to all you tugnuts!!!

Stuart
 
Stuart,

It is on the rear of the engine (Port Side) just below the Engine management computer. It is somewhat hidden so you have to get in the bilge to see it. I use knee pads from Lowes to keep the bruises to a minimum. It is a small black plastic module about 1" x 3" x about 5" long. There are two connectors on the end, one is power and the other goes to the glow plugs. Unless it is extremely cold your engine should start and run without them. Mine does but after two years of trying to get it resolved I just let it warm up to 120 degrees and shut it off and restart. As long as the engine coolant stays above 120 degrees F it won't alarm. Apparently the "fix" requires a modification to the engine software that few Yanmar service shops can perform. An additional time delay is needed due to the voltage drop that occurs on start. My engine was down for more than a year because of all the crap that had to be sorted out from a lightning strike. Service manuals are available online and have fairly good pictures. Others have been fighting this same battle for the past couple of years and as yet there seems to be no simple solution. The earlier thread makes good reading.

Pat
Ladybug, Too
 
So Pat did you disconnect yours? Thanks so much for your input!!!

Stuart
 
Stuart,

It did not make any difference. It alarms when connected and when not connected. Since my engine ECM is not original it may be that my current software is not the same as that from Ranger. Andrew Custis is the one who posted a response saying that Ranger did not connect the glow plugs. I think his post is In the older thread on the issue. I just live with the on to 120 degrees F and then shut down and restart. The coolant rarely drops below 120 degrees here in P'Cola FL after a decent run. It is irritating but I have given up any hope of it ever being corrected. I sure have spent all I am going to spend on it!

Pat
Ladybug, Too
 
When I first bought my R29 I had the alarm coming on and staying on on my first trip out on the boat. The alarm would come on when the engine was run hard, which because we were in break in I had to push it.

The problem that I had was one of the wires on the top of the engine was shorting out on the engine cover. It wasn't until I stepped on the engine cover while getting into the engine room while the motor was running and you could hear the change in rpm or misfire whatever you want to call it.

The solution was to take off the engine covers and find the problem wire and tape it up with some electrical tape. When I got the covers off there was only one without a protective cover and I was able to see a tiny brown speck on the casing.The problem wire was on the back of the engine. I covered it in a few layers of tape and tried to place it in a different position and haven't had a problem since.
 
Thank you to all of you for your wonderful support!!!! I have found my glow plug module and have removed it from the system which has solved the problem.

Happy boating season to everyone!!!!!


 
Pat,
I am sorry you have to live with your alarm which can be very annoying!!! One thing I found is that by locating the alarm itself behind the panel and putting a small spring loaded clamp on it reduced the sound tremendously!! You are still able to hear it but it is not annoying! I hope this helps!

Stuart
 
Stuart,

I went one further. I removed the back of panel alarm and now just get the low level alarm from the Display Module. I think I will try removing the module again. What can it hurt at this point.

Pat
Ladybug, Too
 
Pat, keep us posted!
 
Had Casey, Yanmar mechanic trained via Mack Boring's amazing Norman, over to install a new Vetus muffler. After his research on the problem, he tells me that the glow plug module is an option and was never installed on any of the engines Yanmar supplied to Ranger. Yanmar (and Ranger) are both aware that many tug users are in the NE and use their boats year round, so the glow plug module probably isn't needed unless you're at the North Pole.

Of course, it came on my new engine that Mack Boring installed and was hooked up. We removed it, no alarm now when ignition is on. Casey says it is not needed to start the engine, at least in our climate.
 
Thanks to this forum and the threads related to this issue I think my problem has been solved. Quite by accident!
I purchased four new house batteries and finished installing them today. I decided to remove all of the batteries, clean the battery trays and deck before installing the new house batteries. Duh! I had never completely killed the engine computer since the problem started. With all of the batteries out I also removed the glow plug module again before I reconnected everything. I think that reset the computer same as on my truck when the check engine light comes on. Remove the negative wire from the battery and the check engine goes out. So when I got everything back together and restarted the engine there was no alarm. I don't know whether to believe or not but for now it seems that it is resolved. I also cleaned every connection and used CRC Terminal protector spray liberally. I have cracked my skull for a year or more and finally the right combination of events set me free. Yahoo! Thanks to all!!!!

Pat
Ladybug, Too
 
Pat!
I am so happy for you! I never did really feel guilty for starting a new topic on this issue even know I was scolded lightly! Now I can be even more satisfied that other people are getting help! At the end of the day its all about problem solving and I'm grateful to each and everyone of you for all of your input!


Continuing to live in the spirit of gratitude and in awe of the mystery!

Stuart
 
Stuart, Pat and company I need your guidance. Yesterday I turned my ignition key on (R27/Yanmar) and two alarms went off. After some research on Tugnuts, reading my Yanmar manual and talking with Mike Rizzo I was able to determine the alarm was happening because of code P0674......glow spark #4. I've run the engine up to 120*, turned it off and restarted the engine and the alarm goes away and so do the codes but once the engine cools down the alarm goes back on upon restart. As an aside we are in Anacortes Washington where the temp range is currently 53* to 40*. In talking with a fellow from Yanmar? that Andrew had call me, he suggested that glow plug #4 should be changed. In reading all of these posts I've not read that anyone has done this or had it done....has anyone? I've only read of people living with the problem and or making sure the glow plug module was disconnected so the alarm does not come on. Your advice?

Jim F
 
Jim,

Our conditions here in Pensacola, Florida are such that we just do not need the glow plugs. I would unplug the control module carefully sealing the connectors from moisture and see how well your engine starts. To get the module out of computer memory you will need to disconnect your batteries for a minute or two. If you get rid of the alarm and the engine starts easily then I would leave the controller disconnected. Yanmar may have some "warranty concerns" but aren't most of us out of warranty anyway. All I know is that I had one great cruise to Apalachicola, Florida with excursions in between. In one stretch we ran 186 miles averaging 11.8 Miles per Hour (No I don't use knots) and average fuel burn was 6.3 gph. We did a nighttime crossing of Choctawhatchee Bay and night nav from Ft. Walton back to Pensacola in the rain. Not recommended but I had a very close friend in the hospital in critical condition and I needed to be there with his family. Not one single alarm!

Pat
Ladybug, Too
 
Based on the advice here I went ahead and disconnected the glow plug module. Once that was done the Yanmar started fine and I had no alarms or no stored codes. After making a 40 mile trip with no issues today I unbolted the module and placed it with my spare parts in case I need it in the future. Prior to the 40 min cruise I had used electrical tape to cover the wire harness ends and zipped tied the 2 connectors up to keep them high and dry.

Jim
 
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