1989 Johnson warning horn/buzzer

crashkaloop

Seaman
Joined
Jun 5, 2013
Messages
54
When I bought this boat last summer, it had the usual assorted problems a neglected boat has. One of the problems is that the warning alarm didn't work. It didn't work in the boat, or when I tried to connect it directly to voltage. I replaced it with the only 12v horn I could find from an auto parts store.

Now, the horn works fine when testing for high temp, but I get no initial beep when the key is turned on. I was told by an outboard mechanic that I have to use the exact horn supplied by OMC, but I find this a little hard to understand. It seems to me that the signal that the horn must operate on, is either a 12v or ground signal coming from the engine. If not, where does it come from?

I have the Johnson service manual for this engine, and it makes no mention of the horn beeping when the key is turned on. It only mentions 4 conditions that bring in the horn:

1) Overheat (I have tested this and it works)
2) No Oil (I removed the VRO as it didn't work, and now use premixed)
3) Low Oil (same as #2 above)
4) Fuel Restriction (not sure how to test this, as it only sounds at WOT)

I should also mention that I have the concealed side mount control, which has no alarm horn built in. Instead, my alarm horn is next to my tachometer on the main panel. This is on a 1989 Ranger boat.

Is it possible that I am looking for a beep when the ignition is turned on, and this type/year doesn't give a beep? I mean, it doesn't mention it in the service manual?

Hope someone can answer this for me. I know that my 1995 225 Ocean Runner did beep when the ignition was turned on, but this engine is 6 years older than that.

Thanks
 

emdsapmgr

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 9, 2005
Messages
11,551
Re: 1989 Johnson warning horn/buzzer

You don't mention which engine you've got. I've got a 1990 service manual for V4/V6 crossflow engines. It also does not say anything about the horn beeping once with the turn of the key switch. My 92 70 hp engine does beep.
 

racerone

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 28, 2013
Messages
38,578
Re: 1989 Johnson warning horn/buzzer

The beep on start-up is a function of a small electronic circuit in the factory horn..If you know how to test the horn you have now then go with it.
 

crashkaloop

Seaman
Joined
Jun 5, 2013
Messages
54
Re: 1989 Johnson warning horn/buzzer

The engine is a 1989 Johnson GT 175. I think you have already answered the question. The mechanic was right I guess. The factory horn itself is what provides the beep when it is first powered up. Those things seem a little pricey, and they also seem to not have the volume I would need to know there is a problem.

I think I will just stick with my 12v horn for now.

Thanks for the info.
 
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