Starter/ Warning Horn Update

[STEVE B]

The story of the mystery warning horn continues. After I changed the starter I ran out about 1/2 of the 25 gal tank of fuel that was in the boat when I bought it. Every thing worked perfectly. I installed a water separating fuel filter drove around for about 20 minutes and filled the tank with 17 gal gas from Steve‘s Landing, 48 oz oil, and 2 cans of sea foam. It ran fine for about 15 min a then the warning horn beeped 7 times. I put it in neutral and scratched my head for a few minutes and tried it again. It ran fine for a few minutes and the warning horn beeped again. I loosened the fuel cap thinking the vent might be plugged and had the same results. I switched to a 3 gal remote tank that had gas from a different source and no sea foam and it performed flawlessly until I ran the tank dry. Next I replace the fuel line , changed the filter element, and relocated the filter lower. Same thing. It also ran fine on the 3 gal tank. I by-passed the filter and the horn sounded after about 5 minutes. The only variable seems to be the new gas/oil/sea foam. What about that would cause the warning horn to sound? Also in an earlier post, after checking the model # on the internet I reported that the motor did not have a VRO system, but today I noticed a plugged oil line. The words “oil injection” in 2” high letters on the cowl is another clue that I also should have noticed.

 

[wrechin2]

If it has a VRO it will have a large round fuel pump with a connector coming off of it and plugging into the engine harness. If someone simply blocked off the oil supply and left the wiring plugged up. This will explain why the alarm is sounding with the key on. Also if the beeping was beep-pause-beep-pause, then the VRO module will be doing that. If the connector is plugged up, simply disconnect it. This will have no effect of the fuel pump side but kill the VRO portion of the pump. Hope this helps.

 

[Guest]

Steve if this is a 1991 and up it could have a week vacum switch , it is one switch that will not put motor into slow mode simple test with a vacum tester hook it to the vacum switch with the key on it should activate at 5 to 7 pounds if it comes on early some switches are adjustable small screw in the end of the switch . it can also be a restriction in your fuel tank i dont blieve the sea foam has anything to do with your problem. you said that it ran good on remote tank this lets you know that the pump is working fine i would say either a pinched fuel line from motor to tank or a restricted pickup in tank. good luck

 

[wrechin2]

This is a 90HP V-4 and doesn't have a vacuum switch. I have no clue why OMC done this but whether it is a 60* or 90* V-4, they don't have them or at least I have never seen one or been able to find one in the parts catalog. But most the V-6's had them. Go figure.

 

[STEVE B]

“If you could kick the person in the pants responsible for most of your trouble, you wouldn’t sit for a month” Theodore Roosevelt

Oh, if he were only taking about someone else. When I read Wrenching2's last post all I could do was smack my forehead with the heal of my hand. When I reinstalled the starter I noticed that some of the wiring harness that I had pushed aside had come unplugged. I plugged it back up and went about my merry way. I unplugged it today and drove all over the lake without incident.

Thanks , James, for the spot-on advice. We are very fortunate to have someone one with your knowledge that is so unselfishly willing to share it,

 

[wrechin2]

No problem man! Glad you got it!!!!! emoToast emoToast