Yamaha Diagnostic Software manual

While I and others appreciate the access to this, I think you might rethink the posting of it. The first pages clearly state that permission must be gained prior to further publication. Maybe Matt has permission to do this? Hope so.

Charlie
 
In talking to Yamaha, they did not seem real concerned about this.

Other vendors do not let the diagnostic software out to the general public, only selling it to dealers, and not for resale. We checked with Yamaha and they seem okay with the cables and software being out there.
 
Just trying to protect you guys and the C-Brats Matt. The book is clearly marked with the prohibition not to redistribute without permission.

Charlie
 
Does anyone know if the Honda diagnostic software and manual are available?

Hauling the boat 60 miles, and paying $100 for a one shot deal is not the hot setup. Does Honda make this available to the boating public? Since the motor is a version of the Civic, with another plug, can the car software be used? Are the data ODCD II compliant? Is it an RS-232 interface?

Boris
 
Matt Gurnsey":267zidet said:
I know that Suzuki and Evinrude do not make their software and cables available to the public- only dealers.
Click to expand...

I'm having second thoughts......

I also said on an earlier thread that I was surprised that Yamaha would make the diagnostic programs available to the general public.

I could see them wanting to keep the programs available to their own dealers to give those dealers a market place edge in servicing Yamaha engines, but what about other independent outboard repair shops?

Consider what would happen if all independent shops or other brand outboard dealers could not get this software and then be able to work on Yamaha products.

Imagine the negative comments and damage to the Yamaha image created by the angry comments generated from this potential situation, and the simple fact that the only place you could get your Yamaha repaired would be at a Yamaha dealer.

How would you like to be up somewhere like in SW Alaska, and be told the nearest place you could get your Yamaha motor worked on was 200 miles away? What's a 200 mile tow job cost? What about your vacation schedule?

Knowing that only Yamaha dealers can work on Yamaha motors, who would want to buy a Yamaha?

But where does that put the Evinrude, Suzuki, and now Honda motor lines?

Don't forget: The shortage of dealers has often be a negative argument against buying a Suzuki motor in some parts of the U.S. where their network is thin.

Isn't that the same situation Honda is putting themselves in? Why buy a Honda if only Honda dealers can service them? Or a Suzuki or an Evinrude, for that matter?

Food for thought, anyway!

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
Actually Sea Wolf, the situation you describe already exists, and I too was surprised that Yamaha would make this available outside the dealer network.

We are a dealer for Suzuki, Yamaha and Evinrude, and that is all we'll work on. Because we don't have the manuals, or the special tools required to work on other brands. There isn't a Honda dealer in our marketplace, and we know of many owners who would like us to work on them, but we can't even get oil filters, so we can't offer any real service to them.

As far as the software, my concern would be that an owner could adjust settings in the engine computer and not really know what he was doing and cause damage to the engine. It looks like Honda's way around this is to offer a "read only" software for the general public. Probably a smart move.

I know the E-tec is very adaptable by dealer adjustments in the computer, and if one doesn't know what they're doing they could really screw things up.

The independant mechanic is becoming a thing of the past, as they don't have access to the diagnostic tools that the authorized dealer has. Nor does he usualyy have the funds to invest in the specialized tools that may be required.

The manufacturer's reasonaing behind this is that the dealer has made a sizable investment in tools and parts inventory (tens of thousands of dollars) as well as required tech training at regular intervals and they want to support someone who makes that investment.

Basic maintenance is not an issue, that can be done by any good machanic or do-it-yourselfer, and service manuals for the engines are available. But in depth diagnostic work or rebuild will require more in-depth knowledge.

Yamaha shows Service Manuals on their web site as being for sale, but we can't get them, they aren't in print. But what we can do is download the PDF files for the manuals at no charge, and put them on a CD for our customers who want them.

Suzuki and Evinrude still offer their manuals for sale in paper form.

Why would you buy a Yamaha or other brand? Imagine the angry owners who take their motor to a tech who isn't trained in them, and then something gets set wrong and things get screwed up. It wouldn't be Yamaha's (or Honda's, or Evinrude's or Mercury's etc) fault, but the owner would still be angry about the failure of his "piece of crap" engine and "never buy that brand again".

This situation is one of the reasons that I recomend people power their boats with a brand that is represented by a dealer in their area.
 
Matt-

Excellent answer!

You make some very good points from the dealer's and manufacturer's points of view that the consumer probably doesn't think about.

Thanks for sharing your ideas on this and all the other posts with us!

Will you be at the Seattle Boat Show and at the C-Brat Get Together Saturday night at the factory?

Would just like to say hello and thanks in person, if possible!

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
I'll try to bring whatever insights I can to the board. I may even be right once in awhile. ;) I also appreciate the insights I've gotten from the board- it's one of the things I love about forums.

I will be living at the Seattle Boat Show for ten days. Ten loooong days.

Now, I beleive that a 10 day boat show violates the Geneva Convention. I mean, at least prisoners of war get meals and certain rights! :D

Not sure about the Saturday gathering. Hoping too, but we'll see what the schedule is like. And if there is someone wanting to write a check for a new C-Dory that night, I will be focused on adding to your brethren!
 
Matt , thanks for pointing out that some of us make our living by being full service boat dealers . Just because I have a copy of Gray's Anatomy and A Physicians Desk Reference dosent make me a doctor . The thing that most people dont realize is rarely does the computer come into play. There is a conception that it will fix the motor when many times it wont even tell you what is wrong and certainly wont interpret the data if you happen to be lucky enough to get some. Thats where experience comes in . Thats what you pay for when you bring your boat for diagnostics. Our service department services every motor except Mercury . We have all the tools,schools,etc. We rarely use the laptop software or Honda tool . But we have them . It believe it would be a collosal waste of money for a consumer to buy that stuff . We hardly use it , new motors are intrinsically reliable , and I find it interesting that some people don't respect the dealers skills and dedication enough to let them make a living [like they probably do in their chosen profession] using their investment of proprietary tools and knowledge.
Just my 2 bits.
Marc
 
Matt Gurnsey":2ah56jaz said:
I'll try to bring whatever insights I can to the board. I may even be right once in awhile. ;) I also appreciate the insights I've gotten from the board- it's one of the things I love about forums.

I will be living at the Seattle Boat Show for ten days. Ten loooong days.

Now, I beleive that a 10 day boat show violates the Geneva Convention. I mean, at least prisoners of war get meals and certain rights! :D

Not sure about the Saturday gathering. Hoping too, but we'll see what the schedule is like. And if there is someone wanting to write a check for a new C-Dory that night, I will be focused on adding to your brethren!
Click to expand...

Matt, I'll be there with Sally, we'll bring you a sandwich and a beer! Which booth will you be in?

Charlie
 
We will be in the SW corner of the building. Our booth is right next to Fluid's booth.

I'll take the sandwich, but I'd really prefer a Diet Coke (trying to maintain my girlish figure ;) ).
 
I think the software should be made available to any owner or shop that wants it. We have to remember that I am the owner of the product and have the right to repair it if I wish. I have never blamed a manufacturer for screwing up my watercraft when I was the one to make the decision to take it to a non-dealer repair facility or make the repair myself. I have found that most of these dealers know little more then myself about repairing their engines. I also refuse to lose most of my boating season because some dealer can't get time to look at my engine for weeks, when all that was needed was a simple sensor replacement. I cast my vote by not buying a product that the software is dealer only. Yamaha's YDS can be obtained and it has saved many a boating season for me.
 
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