Wiring or Linc issue?

[Luke91]

Hey everyone! If I had hair I’d have pulled it all out by now. Can’t do any sports because no gps….

I’ve been having a weird issue since I bought my 2016 g23 a few years ago. First the rotary dial encoder next to the throttle (helm command) worked intermittently the first year but never since. Now there is a gps issue saying it can’t be found also. I replaced PDM2 and batteries are both new. Tightened all the grounds in the dash and power cables. Is this a Linc screen issue or wiring?

if it’s wiring what is the best way to get at them? I’ve taken the back rest off in the bow and Linc screen out but the wires and grounds are way back in there. Is there a better way to access? Are all of the grounds grounded at the one spot there under the dash to the upper right of PDM2? Is there a ground some where else I should be looking for?

Thanks for the help!


-update. Checked gps with multimeter it’s getting power and sending all way to the Linc screen like .4 volts. Not sure if that’s too little but my guess would be the Linc screen now. If anyone has any knowledge or suggestions to share. Thanks!

[jpwhit]

No, it's not likely to be the LINC Screen. Most devices in your boat talk to each other over a digital bus known as a CANBUS. Same technology as is used is automobiles. Your problem is likely either caused by a wiring issue with the CANBUS, something else on the CANBUS that's spewing garbage data on the bus or shorting the bus out, or the GPS puck has failed. There are a lot of devices on the CANBUS on your generation boat. LINC Screen, Engine ECM, PDMs, GPS Puck, Keypad, Airmar Water Depth/Temp Biducer, etc. Can't remember if the Helm Control talks to the LINC screen via CANBUS or USB. But that issue could possibly be related.

For context, why did you replace PDM2? Trying to fix this issue or because of another problem?

Are you getting a message saying the GPS isn't found? If so, can you post a picture of that?

If the CANBUS is being disrupted there will be other symptoms such as not seeing engine RPM, Water Depth, Water Temp and other data on the LINC screen. Are you seeing any issues like this?

What do you see on the diagnostics pages in the LINC screen? Not engine diagnostics, the other diagnostics pages. Not remembering what they call it off the top of my head.

Does your boat have a paddlewheel?

[Luke91]

I replaced pdm2 because one time when I unplugged everything from it and plugged it back in everything worked again. Replaced it hoping to fix this issue. But didn’t help.

No I don’t think there is a paddlewheel anywhere that I could see.
just says check gps at top right of screen and no speed output.
It does have continuity from the gps puck to the screen on both blue and white wires.


Yesterday when I took the boat out I had no water temp or depth readings which was a first. so it probably is what you are mentioning.

the only error code I’m getting is loss of speed input.

the helm command has the same plug in under it as the gps so I assume it’s same system.


is there a way to fix the CANBUS system?

[jpwhit]

Try unplugging non-essential things from the CANBUS. Unplug the Helm Command controller, AirMar Water Depth / Temp Transducer, PDMs, etc. I'd start with the AirMar, they are one of the more flaky and unreliable devices on the CANBUS. And I've seen them take the whole bus down before. If unplugging things doesn't make the GPS start working, then unplug the GPS with the other stuff back. If you suddenly get depth and temp reading back from the AirMar, then it's the GPS that's bad and disrupting the bus.

[jpwhit]

It's possible to look at the bus signals and see what's going on, but you need an oscilloscope or logic analyzer for that. Or a CANBUS sniffer is even better.

[Luke91]

Tried unplugging helm command, airmar, and gps. Didn’t fix anything. While I was driving the screen turned black and after a couple restarts it came back.
i also noticed the volts were at 13.1 when sitting and 13.8 when cruising. Is that too low and not providing enough power to the system?

[jpwhit]

Those are pretty normal voltages for when the engine is running and the batteries are fairly well charged up. The alternator will bump up as high as 14.5V when the battery needs to be charged right after starting when the boat has been sitting for a while. 13.8V is the typical alternator output voltage when the alternator detects that the batteries are charged for a modern electronically controlled alternator. Voltage will always be lower at idle, but anything above 12.5V would be considered "normal".

During this latest testings were you getting RPMs, Water Temp and Depth, and other reading shown on the LINC screen when the appropriate sensors were connected? RPMs come from the engine ECU, so if you're not getting that and the engine is running, then clearly the engine ECM is working for the engine to run but is not able to transmit the engine RPMs over the CANBUS to the LINC screen. That would tell you the CANBUS isn't operating.

[Luke91]

No depth and no temp in any configuration. I do have rpm’s tho and seems accurate.
I did take some pics if it helps. Engine was off that’s why rpm was 0.

[jpwhit]

The AirMar sensors are pretty unreliable and typically don't last longer than 5-7 years. So it wouldn't be terribly unusual for that to just be dead. The fact that you're getting RPM data tells me that at least for the moment the CanBus is working. Also, the fact that you're getting RPM tells me the LINC is able to read the CanBus so it's not a problem with the LINC Screen which would be very rare for it to have a problem reading the CanBus and still work otherwise. So, the problem very well may be both a failed GPS Puck and a failed AirMar sensor. But each of these is in the range of $700-$1000, so what you do next just depends on how sure you want to be that they are bad before buying new ones. And if the Helm Control still isn't functional, it sure does seem like a lot of failed components.

I know Nautique will test things like PME Boxes and Keypads if you send the components to them. Since they do that, I bet they would do the same for the GPS puck and AirMar sensor.

[Scooter G]

Sorry, I had to look up what an AirMar sensor was. I would of just called it the depth sensor. Learning something new everyday, and I'm ok with that.

https://www.airmar.com/Catalog/Marine

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twx_vp9VPbA&t=12s

[jpwhit]

I mentioned "AirMar Water Depth/Temp Sensor" multiple times in earlier posts in the thread, so I felt like the context was established.

[Luke91]

Haha yeah I thought it was too, but nice for others following along or that search this later.
I did order a new gps and airmar water depth/temp sensor. I will let you know if it fixes it. Thanks for the help!

Should the ballast senders have a volt reading if they aren’t on? I noticed they show .5 volts but they weren’t switched on.