Check engine light on a 2007 X-45 with the 8.1

[CantRepeat]

Well, as I read more in the diagnostic part of the manual, code 81 can be a few things, not just the TAC. But you say your trouble code readout is 81 (TAC), right? Well, even in the TAC there are sub section faults.

If, I am to be of any help, I'll need to know what the rest of the code says.

Does it show two faults IE

(81) Throttle Actuator Control (TAC) Malfunction
(81) TAC Fault - Not Tracking

Or are there other codes/text?

I wouldn't buy either part until you, I or someone else can say for sure what the issue really is.

[Danno]

Thanks for getting back to me Tim.

I pulled that TAC last night and found it had a crack with some moisture inside. took it apart and it looked good inside. I also tested the throttle body and I was getting the correct 5v/ 12v to the servo. the butterfly was stiff to push on the first go, so after some checking around i think it may be the plastic gears inside the throttle body have spun out. Any thoughts on this or should I just start with whichever is cheaper?

cheers and thanks again for the input

Danno

[Danno]

Well, as I read more in the diagnostic part of the manual, code 81 can be a few things, not just the TAC. But you say your trouble code readout is 81 (TAC), right? Well, even in the TAC there are sub section faults.

If, I am to be of any help, I'll need to know what the rest of the code says.

Does it show two faults IE

(81) Throttle Actuator Control (TAC) Malfunction
(81) TAC Fault - Not Tracking

Or are there other codes/text?

I wouldn't buy either part until you, I or someone else can say for sure what the issue really is.

You are already a big help. much appreciated. Another question I have after looking around at comparable parts is; Can you use the TAC out of a chevy truck or caddy? same motor, part looks the same, different #, considerably cheaper

Here are the fault codes:

(81) throttle actuator control (TAC) Malfunction
(81) TAC FAULT - TPS2 Range
(81) TAC FAULT - PPS2 Range
(81) TAC FAULT - PPS1 Range
(81) TAC FAULT - TPS12 Corr
(81) TAC FAULT - PPS12 Corr
(81) TAC FAULT - lmtd Authority

[CantRepeat]

Wow, you got the entire salad bowl there.

I don't know if the TAC out of a vehicle is the same. I'm not qualified to make the assumption. Let me do some more reading.

Clearly, in any case, an electronic part that is broken open and now has moisture in it will surely need replacing.

[CantRepeat]

I'd say, at this point, your TAC is fried and would start with that. When you have the (81) TAC FAULT - lmtd Authority it indicates the TAC isn't getting any data, from what I read.



Clearly if the TAC is broken open and wet it's not working correctly.

I went out and pulled my spark arrestor off and pushed on the butterfly. You can hear the gears moving but it's not easy to push on and isn't free wheeling in there.

I'd say do the TAC and test. If has to be replaced regardless so it's a no brainer on the first part.

The other big reason I think it's the TAC is because you are getting faults in areas that all combined to the TAC. The PPS is up at the helm so unless you have sunken the boat I fail to see why that fault code would come in at the same time all the others do.

[Danno]

Hey Tim,

Just wanted to thank you for the help. you were correct that it was the TAC module.

I guess at some point there was a crack in the case and either a big rain or a poorly placed lifejacket aided in getting it wet in there. With that being said, I cut the tabs off the back and cut the seal between the plastic and metal and took it apart. It was fairly clean and didn't show signs of any fried connections or bulged resistors so i dried it out for some time and re-tested it in the boat. Fired up right away and didn't throw any codes. i took it out and siliconed it together as well as fixed the crack and we are good to go. i have done this with electronics before and you'd be surprised what drying it out and sealing them can do. The way I see it is if I'm going to buy the part anyway, i might as well try to fix it. I got lucky this time.

Cheers

Danno

[CantRepeat]

Hey Tim,

Just wanted to thank you for the help. you were correct that it was the TAC module.

I guess at some point there was a crack in the case and either a big rain or a poorly placed lifejacket aided in getting it wet in there. With that being said, I cut the tabs off the back and cut the seal between the plastic and metal and took it apart. It was fairly clean and didn't show signs of any fried connections or bulged resistors so i dried it out for some time and re-tested it in the boat. Fired up right away and didn't throw any codes. i took it out and siliconed it together as well as fixed the crack and we are good to go. i have done this with electronics before and you'd be surprised what drying it out and sealing them can do. The way I see it is if I'm going to buy the part anyway, i might as well try to fix it. I got lucky this time.

Cheers

Danno

That's awesome! Glad you could fix it and got your boat running!

Did you happen to take some photos of the repair?

[Danno]

No sorry. no pics. my tech skills for loading them on this site are limited anyway

[KurtG 05 X30]

Did you ever get your problem resolved? I have the same problem on my 05 x-30. I've been in the shop for 8 weeks and $3300 with no end in sight. Replaced ECM and TAC modules. Nothing has helped.

[CantRepeat]

Did you ever get your problem resolved? I have the same problem on my 05 x-30. I've been in the shop for 8 weeks and $3300 with no end in sight. Replaced ECM and TAC modules. Nothing has helped.

How can they charge you $3300 when they having even found the problem? You could have done what they have done for a 1/3 of that. Just tossing parts at something is wrong and when a dealer does it it's robbery!

[adgrayiv]

Do you have the factory prop still? How heavy was the boat weighted for surfing?

edit
the boat going back to idle is part of the ETC issue, but the ETC may not be bad. It could be the heavy loaded surf condition combined with the stock prop. The first time it happened to me I ended up surfing past the boat while looking at my wife trying to figure out what she had done. She just looked at me like I didn't do anything!

One thing I noticed when this happen to me was the boat was struggling to get to surf speed with the factory prop and a lot of weight. I think what happens is the boat is asking for more throttle from the cruise or PP and the factory prop just doesn't have the nuts to push the boat when loaded down. When I switch to a different prop, hi5 OJ Props, the issues stopped and I didn't even need to change the ETC box.

I'm not saying your module isn't bad, or that you need to change your prop for heavy loaded surfing. That's just my bit of info.

I'm still looking for the emails and I'll get the photo tomorrow for you.

what prop did you upgrade too or what size? please read my message at the end of this thread. I need some help.

Thanks in advance

[adgrayiv]

I have a 2007 X-Star and my Mechanic said he called Texas MC and they told him I would need a Throttle Body Assembly they said that is the part that usually goes out and not the sensor. But the part for the Throttle Body Assy is $900 - the Sensor is $350.

My problem started early in the summer the Chk Engine Alarm would go off (it had been going off and no codes would come up) Well I finally cracked a head and had to rebuild the engine. Anyway before and after the rebuild the Boat would go into safety mode meaning it would give enough power to plain out. I would then just kick it back to idle turn the boat off then back on and then it would work. Near the end of the summer it seemed to happen more often like 2 or 3 times each day. In the beginning of last summer it would just occasionally happen.

I guess my question is should I have him remove and disassemble the Throttle Body and clean? Or does anyone now where I can find this part for less than $900???

[Rossterman]

Here are a few pictures.

Beautiful lake! Where is that?

[red]

how do i extract codes from my 2006 x45 8.1. I am a mechanic by trade and think i have tac issues but want to get the code out before i start troubleshooting,,,,,

[Theclarks1111]

Responding to an old threat but found this searching for trouble codes that I am having.

M81- not tracking active TAC malf
M81-TAC (TACMALF) - active malf

Interestingly, after finding this post, I thought I had it fixed by replacing my prop. I have GSA, weighted heavily. I talked to Eric at OJ and switched to a 15x13, however, the boat is still going into limp mode and throwing these codes every once in a while. No real reason why either. We can go a couple of weeks with no code and then it will do it.

I do think it might have something to do with PP because it has never done it without PP on while we are surfing.

Anyone have any thoughts? I appreciate it. It's really frustrating. Never know when it is going to do it and have someone surf right by the boat!