Electrical issues - check engine, no power to Tecma head

[rackline]

Let me start with apologies for so many questions in this single post. This is our first season since acquiring our 2009 29'. We've had various electrical issues and I wonder if they are related. Most recently, it seems at the same time the generic "check engine" alarm came on, we lost our GPS signal and power to the head. Cleaned the battery cable connections - no joy. No power to the head is a bigger deal than lack of a gps. We're okay using the iPad and charts, but having to use a bucket will keep the admiral off the boat.

Unfortunately, no wires are labeled and few of the many fuse box covers are labeled. Little in the R29 Manual and wiring schematics matches our boat. More to the point, I don't find the head wiring in any of the schematics. Does anyone know where the fuse or a breaker for the Tecma head is located?

Suggestions on resolution to the check engine alarm? Note that the check engine alarm displays and sounds before starting the engine, much like the oil pressure alarm. Once the engine has started the check engine alarm and display has generally been intermittent but has been periodically constant. The Yanmar panel is running version 3 and I read in another post that upgrading to version 4 will display codes. That's probably my first step to troubleshoot, but feedback is welcomed.

GPS signal loss troubleshooting? Everything else on the Garmin 5215 seems to be working correctly.

A few other comments and considerations:
Battery health is good. Engine and thruster batteries were new this spring.

Yanmar engine display does not show accurate fuel level - the Garmin does.

Electric compass seems to be working because heading of boat is correct even though it shows the boat at the wrong location. However, the autopilot displays searching for autopilot controller when running, but the electric compass will display once the engine is shut down.

Prior to these recent issues the check engine alarm would sound if the thrusters were used for more than a few seconds. Shutting off engine and restarting and the alarm would stop. Why would a drain on the thruster battery affect engine voltage (assuming the check engine alarm is low voltage related). And, if it is low voltage, why wouldn't the detailed Yanmar alarm screen display low voltage instead of the generic check engine alert?

Thanks for reading through my laundry list! Even bigger thanks if you have suggestions and resolutions to these issues.

Chris

 

[knotflying]

Sorry to hear about your problems. Electrical issues are always difficult to locate. My initial thoughts are a general electrical issue. The Yanmar is very susceptible to erroneous alarms if the grounding is not super perfect. I would check all your ground connections at the buss and clean them and even if they look good, clean both connections at the engine battery. The ECM has two wires that go to the engine battery, make sure those connections are good and solid as well. Your other items run off the house batteries. Are you sure they are in good shape? Low voltage will affect performance. If they are in good shape (load test done) then check all those connections and perform cleaning as I suggested.

After you are sure all batteries are in good shape and fully charged, if the GPS is not working, check your connections on the GPS antenna at the antenna and at the NEMA backbone. If they look good then you may want to get a new cable and run it from the outside to the backbone and see if the signal comes back. If it does then you will have to run a new cable.

If your head is not working after you are sure all power is in good shape, help & info info from someone else will hopefully come. I have an AIrhead, so I have limited knowledge on your equipment.

Let us know how things develop.

 

[Disaster Relief]

On my 31 there is a breaker behind the helm panel accessed from the V berth that supplies power to the head. Don't know about the 29.

I posted a picture in my gallery

 

[Andrew Custis]

Hello Chris,

Mu suggestion with this would be to get it to our very good dealer in Salem, MA to help you sort through the boat. He has done many classic version 29's and is up to speed. If you call them, get in touch with Peter and arrange a time to drop it off. Between Peter and myself, he can get you situated.

Thank you,