EFI Code/Timing Tool - Make for $1.00

[newport dave]

After doing a little research I discovered that it was very easy to make a simple, but very useful, Marine EFI Code reading and clearing / Base Timing Tool. And you could make it for under $1.00!<br /><br />Materials needed:<br /><br />One 12volt resistor type LED light<br />One small paperclip cut in half<br /><br />That’s it!<br /><br />

<br /><br />This home made code tool works every bit as well as the one I paid $50.00 for. It will work on most marine EFI systems with the ten pin DLC. This includes Mercuruiser, Volvo, Crusader, PCM, Indmar, and one or two others.<br /> <br />How to hook it up:<br /><br />1) Ignition key “OFF”<br />2) Remove the cap from the Data Link Connector (DLC)<br />3) Slide the LED into the female terminals of position E and F on the DLC, making sure that the positive side goes into terminal F and the negative side into terminal E<br />4) Turn the ignition key to the “ON” position (LED should come on)<br />5) Insert the half paperclip into terminals A and B – This puts the engine in “Service Mode” - (you will hear fuel pump come on, and code will begin to flash on the LED)<br />6) Read codes by observing LED flashs. If the self diagnostic system is working it will flash code 12 – one flash, pause, two flashes, long pause – it will repeat three times. If other codes are present they will flash in order of lowest to highest.<br /><br />

<br /><br />For more details on how to read codes, clear codes, what “Service Mode” is, how to set base timing, etc. refer to appropriate service manual.<br /><br />LED Details: The LED that my scan tool has had 122K ohms resistance. I went to a local electronics store and got a LED that was labeled “T 13/4 12v LED w/resistor”. It measured 164K ohms. I’m not sure if just any LED would work, but I thought the resistor type would be the way to go, and it worked fine.<br /><br />I don’t recommend making and using this tool unless you have a good idea of what you are doing. I’m not sure if you could do any damage with it, but it’s certainly possible. <br /><br />Dave<br /><br />PS. I know I will probably catch heck from DonS for this.

 

[Don S]

Re: EFI Code/Timing Tool - Make for $1.00

This is a re-write of Daves post above. As you can see, HIS pictures are gone and the newer forum software has it all scrambled where the "" marks were. Here is the rework with pictures that will not go away again. Thanks Dave.



After doing a little research I discovered that it was very easy to make a simple, but very useful, Marine EFI Code reading and clearing / Base Timing Tool. And you could make it for under $1.00!
Materials needed: One 12volt resistor type LED light One small paperclip cut in half That’s it!

This home made code tool works every bit as well as the one I paid $50.00 for. It will work on most marine EFI systems with the ten pin DLC. This includes Mercuruiser, Volvo, Crusader, PCM, Indmar, and one or two others. How to hook it up:
1) Ignition key “OFF”
2) Remove the cap from the Data Link Connector (DLC)
3) Slide the LED into the female terminals of position E and F on the DLC, making sure that the positive side goes into terminal F and the negative side into terminal E
4) Turn the ignition key to the “ON” position (LED should come on)
5) Insert the half paperclip into terminals A and B, This puts the engine in “Service Mode” - (you will hear fuel pump come on, and code will begin to flash on the LED)
6) Read codes by observing LED flashs. If the self diagnostic system is working it will flash code 12 ?– one flash, pause, two flashes, long pause - it will repeat three times. If other codes are present they will flash in order of lowest to highest.

For more details on how to read codes, clear codes, what “Service Mode” is, how to set base timing, etc. refer to appropriate service manual. LED Details: The LED that my scan tool has had 122K ohms resistance. I went to a local electronics store and got a LED that was labeled “T 13/4 12v LED w/resistor”. It measured 164K ohms. I’m not sure if just any LED would work, but I thought the resistor type would be the way to go, and it worked fine. I don’t recommend making and using this tool unless you have a good idea of what you are doing. I’m not sure if you could do any damage with it, but it’s certainly possible.

Dave

 

[newport dave]

Re: EFI Code/Timing Tool - Make for $1.00

Just having fun with you Don <br /><br />Thought you might find this a little too "shadetree".<br /><br />Dave

 

[Don S]

Re: EFI Code/Timing Tool - Make for $1.00

"Shadetree" is nothing new to me, and I find nothing wrong with it. What bugs me is when people want to half a$$ things together with the cheapest lowest quality junk, and then expect them to work like new.<br /><br />I like your tip though, like you I'm not sure there would be any problem with the 164K ohms, probably does nothing more than dimms the LED a bit.

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: EFI Code/Timing Tool - Make for $1.00

The resistor is only used to drop the voltage to the LED. Back in the day, LED's didn't have internal resistors, they could take a maximum of about 2.5 volts before they would burn out. Since the popularity of LEDS has increased, especially in the automotive market, they are now being made with internal voltage dropping resistors for those that want to connect them directly to 12V without adding an external resistor.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: EFI Code/Timing Tool - Make for $1.00

Dave, that's what I use on cars with one slight difference. The paper clip is round but the terminals in the diagnostic connector are flat, a small split pin fits better and there is less chance of damaging the diagnostic terminal. I also use a red LED, it just seems brighter and easier to see <br /><br />Aldo

 

[rodbolt]

Re: EFI Code/Timing Tool - Make for $1.00

I use a piece of solder after smaking it flat with a hammer <br /> see even us pros sometimes are caught without all our tools <br /> nature of the mobile business sometimes