2020 242SE Communication Error

[JKRMIAMI]

2020 242SE (25 hours, no issues whatsoever)
I went to start yesterday after I turned on the start and house batteries I received Communication Error on the display with alarm sound. I quickly shut it down both batteries and turned then on again and all was good. Went out for a drive and all good. Came back left all batteries off for about 1 hour. Turned batteries on again same Communication Error, tried turning everything off/on again but Error is still there. Took off both batteries tested them at the autopart store both are perfect. Peaked charged both overnight, put them back in but got the same error, looked behind the helm checked for any loose connectors, etc. Tried again same error. If I keep on pressing next it cycle between 4 different errors (see pics)
Motors turn on right away as normal but no tac, tempature, etc readings..Also bluetooth radio goes on

Any ideas what else it could be??

Boat lives on a lift with cover and I hate taking it to any dealer so that it sits there and get dirty, scratch etc.

Thanks
Jose (Miami)

 

[Advance]

Do you have an onboard charger or do you manually charge them when on your lift? If not, invest in a charger. Your batteries are likely not topped off. Once I installed a Minnkota onboard charger there has been no issues.

 

[JKRMIAMI]

Do you have an onboard charger or do you manually charge them when on your lift? If not, invest in a charger. Your batteries are likely not topped off. Once I installed a Minnkota onboard charger there has been no issues.

Boat has an on board trickle charger from factory, which works pretty good and maintains the batteries. Just to be on the safe side I removed both batteries, took them automparts were they check volts/amps/current and they passed with flying colors. Also charge both overnight just to make sure they were topped off. Put them in back on but the Com Error still appeared. Also figured not having batteries connected overnight would reset the system..

 

[Advance]

If you mean the solar charger, I would not rely on that at all. But, you taking them out and being check/charged not sure what else you could do. Please report back if you take to dealer. Sorry you’re going through this. So frustrating.

 

[tenl]

2020 242SE (25 hours, no issues whatsoever)
I went to start yesterday after I turned on the start and house batteries I received Communication Error on the display with alarm sound. I quickly shut it down both batteries and turned then on again and all was good. Went out for a drive and all good. Came back left all batteries off for about 1 hour. Turned batteries on again same Communication Error, tried turning everything off/on again but Error is still there. Took off both batteries tested them at the autopart store both are perfect. Peaked charged both overnight, put them back in but got the same error, looked behind the helm checked for any loose connectors, etc. Tried again same error. If I keep on pressing next it cycle between 4 different errors (see pics)
Motors turn on right away as normal but no tac, tempature, etc readings..Also bluetooth radio goes on

Any ideas what else it could be??

Boat lives on a lift with cover and I hate taking it to any dealer so that it sits there and get dirty, scratch etc.

Thanks
Jose (Miami)

my 19 242X have same problem

 

[JKRMIAMI]

my 19 242X have same problem

Hi thanks for the response, how long have you been having this issue? Have you taken to dealer for service yet?

 

[WOOKIE]

I have had this issue with my 2016 242X E for some time. “Gateway Error” it says. Typically in float mode. Would you suspect The battery since I’m relying on one battery to run the radio and a solar trickle to help maintain?? I’m in my last year a warranty so I Plan on taking it to the dealer at the end of the season for a second time regarding this issue. The last time they replaced a complete stereo component. Not sure they really know what was wrong with it. It sounds as though you all think it’s more the batteries not being fully charged?

 

[JKRMIAMI]

2020 242SE (25 hours, no issues whatsoever)
I went to start yesterday after I turned on the start and house batteries I received Communication Error on the display with alarm sound. I quickly shut it down both batteries and turned then on again and all was good. Went out for a drive and all good. Came back left all batteries off for about 1 hour. Turned batteries on again same Communication Error, tried turning everything off/on again but Error is still there. Took off both batteries tested them at the autopart store both are perfect. Peaked charged both overnight, put them back in but got the same error, looked behind the helm checked for any loose connectors, etc. Tried again same error. If I keep on pressing next it cycle between 4 different errors (see pics)
Motors turn on right away as normal but no tac, tempature, etc readings..Also bluetooth radio goes on

Any ideas what else it could be??

Boat lives on a lift with cover and I hate taking it to any dealer so that it sits there and get dirty, scratch etc.

Thanks
Jose (Miami)

I'm still having this issue, I took it to the dealer today and they connected the computer to it but they have no idea what the issue is. Can you believe the tech asked me who did the radio install?? Seriously it's the 2020 factory radio with sub!! These techs are clueless..They told me a yamaha field tech will be at the dealer next Thursday to look at another boat and that he can also look at mine. Let see what happens.

has anyone else had same issue? How was it fixed???

 

[redthumper9]

First thing I'd suggest would be batteries are not topped off..... But if you have checked that, I'd start with making sure all the wires on the batteries are hooked up properly. There should be one red wire going to the start battery as well as two negative (black) wires going to the start battery. With the exception of a small black DSVR wire, that should be all that's hooked up to the start battery.

 

[JKRMIAMI]

First thing I'd suggest would be batteries are not topped off..... But if you have checked that, I'd start with making sure all the wires on the batteries are hooked up properly. There should be one red wire going to the start battery as well as two negative (black) wires going to the start battery. With the exception of a small black DSVR wire, that should be all that's hooked up to the start battery.

Thanks for the reply as far as batteries being fully charged and topped off they are 100%

Batteries are properly connected, ground is common and also being linked so that in my experience should not make a difference

Here whats connected to each battery:

Start battery
Positive=Red cable labeled Start

Negative=
1 black cable that does a jumper between start and house batteries
1 black small black DSVR
1 black cable labeled ground 2
1 black cable unlabeled
1 black cable unlabeled
‐-------‐-----------------------
House battery
Positive=
1 red cable labeled Batt
1 red cable labeled House

Negative=
1 black cable labeled GND
1 black cable labeled GRND
1 black cable labeled Ground 2
1 black jumper cable making a jumper from start and house batteries

 

[WOOKIE]

I'm still having this issue, I took it to the dealer today and they connected the computer to it but they have no idea what the issue is. Can you believe the tech asked me who did the radio install?? Seriously it's the 2020 factory radio with sub!! These techs are clueless..They told me a yamaha field tech will be at the dealer next Thursday to look at another boat and that he can also look at mine. Let see what happens.

has anyone else had same issue? How was it fixed???

I have the same issue. Had when first purchased my boat I had this issue. Took in for warranty repair the dealer was clueless so they said they replaced it. Still happened. I am beginning to think if the batteries are not fully charged this communication error occurs. To me this is a Yamaha factory issue and a recall is warranted.

 

[JKRMIAMI]

I have the same issue. Had when first purchased my boat I had this issue. Took in for warranty repair the dealer was clueless so they said they replaced it. Still happened. I am beginning to think if the batteries are not fully charged this communication error occurs. To me this is a Yamaha factory issue and a recall is warranted.

Thanks for the reply, we definitely need to find everyone that's having this issue and yes perhaps get yamaha to issue a factory recall. As far as batteries not being fully charged that may not be the case. My boat is a 2020 and it has 46 hours and it gets used 2 times a week so batteries maintain pretty good charge and I never had this issue before. It must be a module, fuse or relay or something thats interrupting the connection process between these electronic components. My screen works but its not receiving the information from these components.
The 1st message I get is Com Error GPS check NMEA (nmea is the connection used by electronics radio, GPS, tranducer, autopilot etc) we use this every day on the installations we do on boats and yachts..
I'm thinking it may be a module were all the NMEA connections go to that went bad or the module is not getting power some reason

If anyone else is having this issue please lets hear your experience, how long have you had it? it exactly the same errors that are on my pics?? how was it solved??? We need to be informed so that we can quickly get our boats fixed. The dealer techs are only as good as the experience they've had. Some of them are clueless and rely on yamaha dealer tech support for everything. The info we collect is super important specially for the future once warranty out...

 

[WOOKIE]

Mine is a 2016 242X-E series and pretty much had this issue since the start. Working on my boat yesterday in my driveway and had Gateway Error again. Here are some pics of the error.

 

[tomthebomb690]

2020 242SE (25 hours, no issues whatsoever)
I went to start yesterday after I turned on the start and house batteries I received Communication Error on the display with alarm sound. I quickly shut it down both batteries and turned then on again and all was good. Went out for a drive and all good. Came back left all batteries off for about 1 hour. Turned batteries on again same Communication Error, tried turning everything off/on again but Error is still there. Took off both batteries tested them at the autopart store both are perfect. Peaked charged both overnight, put them back in but got the same error, looked behind the helm checked for any loose connectors, etc. Tried again same error. If I keep on pressing next it cycle between 4 different errors (see pics)
Motors turn on right away as normal but no tac, tempature, etc readings..Also bluetooth radio goes on

Any ideas what else it could be??

Boat lives on a lift with cover and I hate taking it to any dealer so that it sits there and get dirty, scratch etc.

Thanks
Jose (Miami)

any luck my boat doing same thing ?

 

[JKRMIAMI]

any luck my boat doing same thing ?

No luck with fixing this on my end. I will have to leave it at dealer for them to try to troubleshoot with yamaha dealer tech support. Supposedly this week at the dealer were i purchased it there is a field tech coming to look at another boat. The plan is for him to look at mine also. I dont like this dealers service department as boats sit outside etc. The other option is to take it to Riva in pompano and have them look at it but I'm waiting for them to have space in the indoor storage. I'll keep you posted.. need to get it fixed ASAP as I'm paying but I'm not able to use and boat is new..

 

[tomthebomb690]

Thanks for the reply, we definitely need to find everyone that's having this issue and yes perhaps get yamaha to issue a factory recall. As far as batteries not being fully charged that may not be the case. My boat is a 2020 and it has 46 hours and it gets used 2 times a week so batteries maintain pretty good charge and I never had this issue before. It must be a module, fuse or relay or something thats interrupting the connection process between these electronic components. My screen works but its not receiving the information from these components.
The 1st message I get is Com Error GPS check NMEA (nmea is the connection used by electronics radio, GPS, tranducer, autopilot etc) we use this every day on the installations we do on boats and yachts..
I'm thinking it may be a module were all the NMEA connections go to that went bad or the module is not getting power some reason

If anyone else is having this issue please lets hear your experience, how long have you had it? it exactly the same errors that are on my pics?? how was it solved??? We need to be informed so that we can quickly get our boats fixed. The dealer techs are only as good as the experience they've had. Some of them are clueless and rely on yamaha dealer tech support for everything. The info we collect is super important specially for the future once warranty out...

i dont know if it has anything to do with it but my boat doing same thing after i over filled the gas

 

[WOOKIE]

FYI, I just purchased a new Optima Blue battery today and plan to take it with me on an upcoming trip for 7 days on the water. I am going to stay with my current battery setup initially. If I have Gateway Error issues, I plan to switch out the “house “ battery with new to see if in fact it fixes the electrical Gateway error? My thought is that we begin to have these gateway errors when the voltage drops in the low 12s or even high 11s. I will let you know what happens in about a week.

 

[JKRMIAMI]

Hi thanks for the reply. What year and model is your boat? Also is it displaying the exact messages as mine??

As far as the gas, I dont think its has anything to do with over filling as my tank is at 1/4 filled.

 

[WOOKIE]

2106 242X E series

 

[JKRMIAMI]

FYI, I just purchased a new Optima Blue battery today and plan to take it with me on an upcoming trip for 7 days on the water. I am going to stay with my current battery setup initially. If I have Gateway Error issues, I plan to switch out the “house “ battery with new to see if in fact it fixes the electrical Gateway error? My thought is that we begin to have these gateway errors when the voltage drops in the low 12s or even high 11s. I will let you know what happens in about a week.

This could be a possibility..but then again my batteries are fairly new plus when i put my voltage meter I'm getting a solid reading above 12..think it was 12.6v or 12.7.