Df300 SMIS issues

[Double Actiom]

I have 2007 Suzuki DF300s on a newly purchased boat. The SMIS isn't really working properly. The engines show rpm, but no fuel flow, temp, trim or anything else really. Sometimes, the buttons don't even do anything when trying to make selections. You can see it wanting to select the option, and go up and down, but options won't change or select. Are the gauges bad? We tried a re-configure, but it won't hold the data. We get all the way through, and it starts over with the boat data.

There are the 3 gauges, and it doesn't seem anything wants to work fully. Are we maybe entering the info into the wrong gauge? I'm hoping I don't have to buy all new ones as it seems people have lots of issues with them. Are there any alternatives or a guru that can really help with this? I'm sure others have been down this harsh path with these....any insight?

[Moonlighter]

First, welcome to the forum!

The SMIS displays are usually fine when set up correctly. Though it sounds like you have inherited someone else's issues here.

Good news is that if the displays are physically working (as in turning on and showing at least some data) then they are most likely good!

Can I suggest you have a read of the paper i wrote in the sticky thread selection at the top of the forum about Suzuki networks. It will help you get your head around how these Suzuki networks and displays work.

Then....

Some questions follow, if you can answer them it will help diagnose the issues youre having and perhaps help us figure out hiw to fix them. Some of them may sound a bit left field but trust me, they are all relevant!

Your problems are most likley software related, I think. The thing with these Suzuki networks is that the software running on the SMIS displays and the engine interfaces all need to be aligned and compatible with the engine year.

If they are not, the whole system doesnt work properly, and your symptoms where the rpms show but little else is indicative of such a problem.

I therefore think its possible that the current software on your SMIS displays may not be compatible with your engine years.

1. Do I understand it right that you have a pair of DF300's on this boat?

2. Can you kindly go into each SMIS display and in the menu, find the system info and make note of the gauge software version that each of them is running.

3. Have a look behind the dash of the boat and find the cluster of T pieces that make up the network. The SMIS displays will each be attached to a T piece in the cluster. What colour are the T pieces? Blue, black or red?

4. What other displays are attached to the Suzuki network? For example, are any GPS sounder/combo displays like a Simrad NSS or anything else attached to the network? If so, what brand and model? Important because we can only use Simrad/Lowrance units to upload changes to the network software.

5. the other thing we need to know, but may not be able to find out yet, is what version software is running on your Suzuki engine interface cables. If you read the paper I referred to earlier, you will learn why that is an important/critical piece of info. Unfortunately the SMIs displays cant tell us that, but if there is another MFD attached to the network, we should be able to get the info from there. With both engine keys turned on: Menu/network device list/select one of the Suzuki devices listed, open it, and you should be able to find a software version listed. Yours should be Version 2.30RRD. If not, that could be the problem.

Come back with that info and we will go from there.

If youre not quite confident with changing things like settings in computers or mobile phones and the like, then the other option is to go to a good local Suzuki dealer who is familiar with these Suzuki networks and ask them to sort it out for you. It is a bit finnicky to do, but not that difficult if approached methodically.

And if you dont have a Simrad or Lowrance unit attached to the network, that might be necessary anyway because without them, we cant change software versions - dealers have programs on their laptops and special cables to connect up to the network with for this purpose.

[Double Actiom]

Awesome, thanks!!

I will get that info tomorrow. There is a Garmin 5215 connectedo and that GPS does work.

Thanks for the info, and I will report back!