Software or Hardware for scanning engine?

[juju151]

Ok...my second question was about a scanner for reading engine codes. Does anyone know where I can get something like this. I would prefer software that I can run on my laptop, so I can hook my laptop to the boats computer...or a scanner to tell me what's up with the computer/electronics on the engine.

It's a '98 5.7 liter with EFI...and over the past couple of weeks I noticed that the engine sounded like it was missing slightly, and only once in a while at low speeds between 15-18 MPH. Then this past weekend when we were out riding, it was running great but when you hit the speed that you wanted to wakeboard at, like 18 MPH, it would fluctuate RPMs. It's kind of hard to describe, but the RPMs would change just slightly, but quickly...like it was going from 2000 RPM to 2400 RPM...up and down and up and down in about 1 second intervals. I don't have a perfect pass or anything, but it was like an instant change in RPMs that was caused by the electronics in the EFI or something. It would run fine at both RPMs, but it kept doing it unless you increased the throttle a little and got up to 20 MPH or above. So that's why I figure I need to invest in something to read the codes and find out what the EFI is doing.

Anyone have any ideas on what's causing this and/or a place that sells some software or device to read the computer codes???

Thanks,

Juju

[Diesel]

Ok...my second question was about a scanner for reading engine codes. Does anyone know where I can get something like this. I would prefer software that I can run on my laptop, so I can hook my laptop to the boats computer...or a scanner to tell me what's up with the computer/electronics on the engine.

It's a '98 5.7 liter with EFI...and over the past couple of weeks I noticed that the engine sounded like it was missing slightly, and only once in a while at low speeds between 15-18 MPH. Then this past weekend when we were out riding, it was running great but when you hit the speed that you wanted to wakeboard at, like 18 MPH, it would fluctuate RPMs. It's kind of hard to describe, but the RPMs would change just slightly, but quickly...like it was going from 2000 RPM to 2400 RPM...up and down and up and down in about 1 second intervals. I don't have a perfect pass or anything, but it was like an instant change in RPMs that was caused by the electronics in the EFI or something. It would run fine at both RPMs, but it kept doing it unless you increased the throttle a little and got up to 20 MPH or above. So that's why I figure I need to invest in something to read the codes and find out what the EFI is doing.

Anyone have any ideas on what's causing this and/or a place that sells some software or device to read the computer codes???

Thanks,

Juju

Search ebay for a Tech II. You might have to get a connector since MC does not use the standard ALDL.

[BG1772]

Indmar recommends using the scanners that rinda makes (http://216.230.203.183/marine/marine.htm). A buddy and I went together to buy the software for his laptop. It is very nice and provides you with a lot of information. It is a bit pricy, but I would highly recomend it - especially if you can get a couple guys to split it.