1990 Johnson 70 HP with VRO, warning horn sound constantly

[Harry Blanchard]

Ran up the old Johnson the other day and the warning horn started a constant warning. Shut down and waited, then tried again when cool. The warning horn came on immediately. Now, several days later when you turn the ignition on, it continually wails. I disconnected the heated sending unit at the head, but still continues to wail. Any help out there, please??

 

[farginicehole]

Re: 1990 Johnson 70 HP with VRO, warning horn sound constantly

I'm no mechanic (my disclaimer before I say something stupid!), but my 150 VRO did this once when the oil level in the tank was getting a little low. There was still plenty in there, but less than 1/4 tank.

 

[Harry Blanchard]

Re: 1990 Johnson 70 HP with VRO, warning horn sound constantly

That was one of the first things I checked, 3/4 full and pumped the bulb to make sure the VRO was primed.

 

[fastenough2win]

Re: 1990 Johnson 70 HP with VRO, warning horn sound constantly

im not a mechanic either, but i expericed a problem on time with a 90 nissan.A couple of times i was on the lake and it would go off and the motor would shut down but not die.Did this a couple of times and didnt pay attention after checking it out my self.Next time on the lake pulling a tube and it went off and shut all the way off.It was the impeller on the water pump.This thing was pretty smart and tried to tell me something, you should get it checked out before you have to be towed in like i did.

 

[clanton]

Re: 1990 Johnson 70 HP with VRO, warning horn sound constantly

Disconnect the temp sensor wire, VRO harness connector, remote oil tank tan lead, or black lead with bullet connector. Key on horn continually sounds, horn is bad or tan wire from engine to control is grounded.

 

[Harry Blanchard]

Re: 1990 Johnson 70 HP with VRO, warning horn sound constantly

Thanks, I will check out all of it within the next couple of days and get back to you guys. This is surely one fine, helpful board.

 

[aquabob]

Re: 1990 Johnson 70 HP with VRO, warning horn sound constantly

I have a 1990 70 hp vro also that at times the warning buzzer goes off. I bought the motor 3 yrs. ago completely overhauled,basically new, and the last year and a half it started going off. The motor still runs fine, water comes out the pee hole just fine, does not shut off, miss or skip a beat. Does anyone know where I can locate the overheat warning sensor? I figured I would replace the sensor and what happens. Last time I took it out I ran 3/4 throttle and never went off. Today I could barely get on plane without it wanting to go off. I don't really have that many hours on the motor to think that it would be the impeller and like I said it pumps water out just fine. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: 1990 Johnson 70 HP with VRO, warning horn sound constantly

I have a 1990 70 hp vro also that at times the warning buzzer goes off. I bought the motor 3 yrs. ago completely overhauled,basically new, and the last year and a half it started going off. The motor still runs fine, water comes out the pee hole just fine, does not shut off, miss or skip a beat. Does anyone know where I can locate the overheat warning sensor? I figured I would replace the sensor and what happens. Last time I took it out I ran 3/4 throttle and never went off. Today I could barely get on plane without it wanting to go off. I don't really have that many hours on the motor to think that it would be the impeller and like I said it pumps water out just fine. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

If it is indeed a temperature warning then it is not necessarily the pump. Could be a blockage somewhere. How is the head temperature when the warning starts ?? Try the hand on for 4 second test.

 

[Brew2]

Re: 1990 Johnson 70 HP with VRO, warning horn sound constantly

My '86 Evinrude had the constant horn as well, but it wasn't overheating. Just had to keep disconnecting things (temp sensors, low oil, etc) until the horn stopped to find the source. In my case, the low oil sensor in the remote oil tank had gone wonky.

Since I regularly check and top up the oil, I felt comfortable just disconnecting the low oil sensor wire. Problem solved.

Good luck.

 

[seahorse5]

Re: 1990 Johnson 70 HP with VRO, warning horn sound constantly

Most of the time you will find that whenever the warning horn sounds continuously or gives off wierd sounds, the electronics inside the oil tank pickup assembly are flakey.

You just disconnect the wiring from the oil tank to the motor and visually check on the oil level whenever you gas up.

 

[aquabob]

Re: 1990 Johnson 70 HP with VRO, warning horn sound constantly

I don't have a oil reserve tank, I have to mix my gas and oil together. Next time I go out I will have to check the head to see how hot it gets

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: 1990 Johnson 70 HP with VRO, warning horn sound constantly

I don't have a oil reserve tank, I have to mix my gas and oil together. Next time I go out I will have to check the head to see how hot it gets

So are you running premixed fuel through a VRO pump ?? If so is the oil alarm disconnected and also the oil line ???

 

[aquabob]

Re: 1990 Johnson 70 HP with VRO, warning horn sound constantly

Yes I am. When I purchased the motor and had it installed, I remember the guy telling me about the switch from not having a oil tank reserve, he did not mention if the oil alarm is disconnected. I would assume that he would have given my situation. My boat is a 1970 Olympic 17 ft fiberglass model. It used to have a 50 hp Evinrude. It doesn't always go off though. If the motor was overheating it should go off every time it heats up. I noticed a wire off the top of the head that might be the wire for the sensor, it's just to the left of the top spark plug. But I don't want to disconnect it if I don't have to. I would rather fix the problem. What does running pre-mixed gas through the VRO pump have to do with my problem? Will it mess it up? If so than the guy who installed it screwed up. And I will have to take it back to them and have them work on it and fix what they didn't do right. Thanks

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: 1990 Johnson 70 HP with VRO, warning horn sound constantly

Yes I am. When I purchased the motor and had it installed, I remember the guy telling me about the switch from not having a oil tank reserve, he did not mention if the oil alarm is disconnected. I would assume that he would have given my situation. My boat is a 1970 Olympic 17 ft fiberglass model. It used to have a 50 hp Evinrude. It doesn't always go off though. If the motor was overheating it should go off every time it heats up. I noticed a wire off the top of the head that might be the wire for the sensor, it's just to the left of the top spark plug. But I don't want to disconnect it if I don't have to. I would rather fix the problem. What does running pre-mixed gas through the VRO pump have to do with my problem? Will it mess it up? If so than the guy who installed it screwed up. And I will have to take it back to them and have them work on it and fix what they didn't do right. Thanks

As far as I know if you are not running oil through the VRO pump and just using the gas side of it then the oil flow alarm must be disconnected otherwise it will give a no oil alarm as it is still expecting oil flow but not getting any. This may or may not be the case for your motor. I am giving you the scenario I had with a 1985 140hp VRO

 

[aquabob]

Re: 1990 Johnson 70 HP with VRO, warning horn sound constantly

thanks for the input