2020 200 ProXs 4 Stroke - Loses power and goes into guardian

[pcurrie22]

2020 200 ProXs 4 Stroke Serial #2B686323, 76 hours

Bought this boat new to me 2 weeks ago. Ive had it out twice before with no issues, this past weekend, was cruising around 4500 RPMs, suddenly lost all power and had a long beep. Motor went into guardian mode and would only idle. I stopped, put in neutral, turned it off, waited a few seconds and started it again, ran fine with no issues until about 4 hours later, did the same thing, again turned it off and started it again, everything worked fine. I noticed nothing weird before or after except it seems like the water pressure fluctuates alot, without changing the RPMS Ive seen the water pressure fluctuate as much as 10 psi but it has done this every time I have had it in the water. I was hoping to come here for some advice, I've read online this could be something very simple. Of course like everything, Ive called 2 dealers within driving distance all stated the same thing, bring it in and would be 3-4 weeks before they could even look at it and advised most parts are 3-4 weeks behind. I am on a waiting list at local Bass Pro to have them check it and they were nice enough to let me hold a place in line without bringing the boat in and would call me 24 hours before they could look at it to bring it in then. Any thing I could try before letting it sit potentially 8 weeks? Thanks

[VA Bass]

Sounds like it is the overheat alarm. Are you trimming it too high? That can make the water pressure fluctuate, and has the water pump been changed?

[1Holeshot]

If you run in some very thick weeds this can happen. Next time it happens stop shift into reverse and rev motor a little. If weeds are wrapped around lower unit you should see some come out from under boat. If this happens you should be able to plane off and continue. Watch the water pressure gauge and if WP does not pick up immediately shut down engine and look elsewhere for solution.

[pcurrie22]

Sounds like it is the overheat alarm. Are you trimming it too high? That can make the water pressure fluctuate, and has the water pump been changed?

I dont think I have it trimmed too high but I guess that is a possibility, I haven't played with it enough to find that perfect trim height at cruising range. Im going to say water pump has not been changed at 76 hours, but do not know for sure. That was my first thought was to change the impeller and see what that does.

[VA Bass]

the only thing is, if it was the pump, it should be overheating at idle

[06 SB]

First of all, shutting it off and restarting rarely, if ever, solves a mechanical problem. If you were running in weeds or picked up a plastic bag but that is about it. The motor’s PCM is logging every issue and its duration. If Mercury deems you abused the motor, they can deny a warranty claim. Other than getting it to a dealer, about all you can do is check all three water filters for blockage and change the water pump/gaskets.

If you had a Mercmonitor or one of the other latest Smartcraft instruments, it would tell you what is causing the alarm. Here are your options…
http://www.bbcboards.net/showthread.php?t=894952

[Jboutfishn]

Have you flushed the system? I did this and blew a lot of junk out of the water pickup.
175-300hp V6 and V8 Maintenance | Mercury Marine

[VA Bass]

Have you flushed the system? I did this and blew a lot of junk out of the water pickup.
175-300hp V6 and V8 Maintenance | Mercury Marine

good idea. I just did mine a few weeks ago

[EuropeanAM]

The odds of you accurately GUESSING which one of the many dozens of potential faults may have occurred are extremely low. Additionally, the PCM on the engine is keeping track of how many seconds the engine is operated with a fault condition present (ie: after the audible or Smartcraft Warning).

Remember that there are two warning strategies for your engine:

SOLID TONE: Shut engine down as soon as safely possible and get it to the dealer (continued running is NOT recommended).

Intermittent Beeps (approximately 6 seconds): Proceed safely to port, and get engine to dealer for service. Avoid operation other than what is necessary to safely get the boat off the water.

[pcurrie22]

The odds of you accurately GUESSING which one of the many dozens of potential faults may have occurred are extremely low. Additionally, the PCM on the engine is keeping track of how many seconds the engine is operated with a fault condition present (ie: after the audible or Smartcraft Warning).

Remember that there are two warning strategies for your engine:

SOLID TONE: Shut engine down as soon as safely possible and get it to the dealer (continued running is NOT recommended).

Intermittent Beeps (approximately 6 seconds): Proceed safely to port, and get engine to dealer for service. Avoid operation other than what is necessary to safely get the boat off the water.

Good afternoon Don, I went ahead and got a vessel view, installed it today. It is not showing there are any observed faults on the motor. Would the vessel view be able to see the observed faults from before it was installed or would it have to be installed to be able to show the fault code? Thanks

[EuropeanAM]

Normally will display what has occurred while it was attached. Limited historical data, but the unit must be in place in order for it to catch the data.

[pcurrie22]

Normally will display what has occurred while it was attached. Limited historical data, but the unit must be in place in order for it to catch the data.

Don, the fault I’m getting is 1021-25. Shift Position A from shift actuator. Says shift actuator not working properly. Any chance this is one of those easy fixes with a zip tie I’ve read about

[EuropeanAM]

1021-25 indicates a very low voltage return from the Shift Actuator's position sensor. There is either a wiring problem, or the actuator has failed.