Mercury smartcraft gauge does not read 2001 300x

[Brad Zastrow]

I have a smartcraft gauge on a 2001 300X that powers up but does not talk to the ECU. A DDT (mercury diagnostic tool) reads everything fine. I tried a reset on the smartcraft and does not read the ECU except the gauge powers up. I tried a different cable and even a different gauge. I remember reading about telling the ECU to be smartcraft ready?? Is that the problem?

[vnemous]

2001 300x computer has to have the smartcraft enabled by sending ecu to mercury and having them turn it on.

[Baja170]

I have one that needs to be done as well. If you figure it all out Brad, please let me know. If anyone knows how to enable it with a Techmate-Pro let me know please.

[Brad Zastrow]

There is no other way to turn on the function other then sending it to Mercury?

[HydroSkreamin]

There is no other way to turn on the function other then sending it to Mercury?

I believe that there is a function in the DDT that either enables analog tach or turns on SmartCraft (CAN). It's been a long time since I've done it, but take a look when you get a chance. The DDT cartridge would have to be at least a MY2000 though.

[vnemous]

We are a premium mercury dealership and Im sure if we could have done it Mercace would have figured a way. The cost was inconsequential but it did put my computer back in break in for 120 minutes

[RRRevinrude]

had a similar problem recently-repower 2016 merc-old style smartcraft gages-no comunication-called merc and was told to install newer version of smartcraft gages cause the 2001 gages spoke spanish and the new motor spoke french...my point is that if you have newer smartcraft gages they will not talk to the older motor..call mercury to confirm but that is what i was told...ps. good luck finding old style smartcraft gages cause merc stopped building them several years ago

[Greg G]

I have a smartcraft gauge on a 2001 300X that powers up but does not talk to the ECU. A DDT (mercury diagnostic tool) reads everything fine. I tried a reset on the smartcraft and does not read the ECU except the gauge powers up. I tried a different cable and even a different gauge. I remember reading about telling the ECU to be smartcraft ready?? Is that the problem?

Post a picture of the gauge you are talking about. There were many iterations over the years and as was posted, some would communicate and later ones would not. You can occasionly find some of the older Smartcraft gauges on Ebay if you keep a sharp eye out.

[Brad Zastrow]

This one. Works on the other two newer 300 X on the boat.

[vnemous]

2001 model year spacificly did not have it enabled. 2002-2005 did.

[Bullet89]

Smartcraft is model year specific. Not saying that the years have to match exactly. There is a color code on the back of the gauges. White, black or blue and there is also a color on the PCM. That is an easy way to make sure they are compatible.

[HATS OFF]

Brad when you figure this out please let me know. If you can avoid sending the computers to Mercury that would be great. I have two 2001 300x that I plan on adding smart craft to. I have a DDT if that's the route to go.

[Baja170]

Yes please do Brad. Where would the color be on the PCM? I don't see any color on mine. Think somebody on the inside at Merc could look it up by serial number and be able to tell me or one of you guys at the dealerships who have access to Merctech or whatever it is you can research serials with? Or can any of you send mine to Merc or have me drop ship it to them to have it flashed pretty please? Case of beer to whoever can help please. I might as well just send it in if someone can help me. I'll be back at the lake most likely tomorrow. Please PM me somebody who can help I would really appreciate it.

I have a Techmate-Pro Scan tool with the latest software on it that should be able to enable it as well, (if the DDT can) but from what Mike said, it may not be able to looks like or his guy could have done his at Fullers. I will have to look at the back of my SC1000 next time I go to the lake and see what the color code on it is.

[Baja170]

had a similar problem recently-repower 2016 merc-old style smartcraft gages-no comunication-called merc and was told to install newer version of smartcraft gages cause the 2001 gages spoke spanish and the new motor spoke french...my point is that if you have newer smartcraft gages they will not talk to the older motor..call mercury to confirm but that is what i was told...ps. good luck finding old style smartcraft gages cause merc stopped building them several years ago

I think I bought your old gauges. I also have the SC1000 to install.

[FUJIMO]

This one. Works on the other two newer 300 X on the boat.
Do you have a part number for the SmartCraft gauge you need?

[Baja170]

I believe that there is a function in the DDT that either enables analog tach or turns on SmartCraft (CAN). It's been a long time since I've done it, but take a look when you get a chance. The DDT cartridge would have to be at least a MY2000 though.

I will try to do that with my Techmate-Pro tomorrow when I get to the lake, it won't take me 5 minutes to do it. Won't know about if a DDT can, did you try it HATS OFF? I want to get this thing installed.

I have a buddy down there with all the heat shrink, braided wire wrap, ETC who builds Harley custom wiring harnesses to help me at not even a mile from where our place is. I helped do a bunch of work on a Harley and am about to help him do a wiring harness on a Shovelhead and rebuild the top ends very soon, and he is ready to do my boat with me helping. :)

Come on guys, we need to get this issue figured out or if one of you have already can you turn a brother on by PM on who to contact to have it sent off please? I bought my SC1000 and the harnesses from Fullers.

[HATS OFF]

baja170 I like your style. You seem very motivated to get this done ASAP. I on the other hand have so a ton of other little things to do and have not even bought the guage and harness yet. I do have the DDT but want to know what I need before I jump into the project. Good luck this weekend hopefully what you do works and you can let us know.

[Baja170]

I won't be able to do the harness this weekend. We are working on the house, but at least I can check the computer with my Techmate and see if I have a switch for Analog or CAN bus and if I do enable it and plug in the SC1000 if I have time to see if it works or not.

[vnemous]

It has to be done by oh never mind

[Chaz]

It has to be done by oh never mind

http://i3.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/705/640/673.gif

[Baja170]

It has to be done by oh never mind

That is what I am betting on. I'll check the Techmate it takes 5 minutes, but I would bet it has to be sent back. I have a dealer who is going to send mine off for me. :) Thanks for selling me the harnesses and SC1000 Fullers.

[Baja170]

Mike is right I am sure. I hooked up the Techmate-Pro and nowhere I can find to enable the CAN BUS. Maybe with the DDT but I doubt it. I have a newer SC1000 but the older gauges I bought from RRR's son that came off RRR's boat I believe. I will send it off at some point. Just going to have fun with the boat rest of the summer, been busy with construction on the house the last month or more, hard to find honest reliable people who show up for work no matter how much you are willing to pay these days. Good reminder of why I work for me and don't need the hassle of trying to hire others and deal with and all the related issues trying to hire people. Good workers don't show up all the time, crappy ones show up but you can't trust them or they are sloppy. Too old for this crap summer will be over. Note to self, do construction projects when summer is over, sometimes it is OK to tell the wife NO.