1995 150 Fast Strike Johnson Fuel Flow Restriction Alarm

C

Carolina Country Boy

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Apr 18, 2020
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Hello everyone, still needing some help on this problem. I've checked for any restrictions in the fuel lines, primer bulb and my fuel tank does not have an anti-siphoning valve. The motor runs strong with no problems and really can't seem to understand why it is alarming. When the motor is cold and started it automatically starts to alarm. There is the occasion when it is a nice warm day it can be started and may not alarm. I have ran the motor with it cold and in alarm mode and seems when the motor warms up it will stop. Confused and frustrated! Could it be a bad vacuum switch or bad alarm horn? I could do a process of elimination and start with replacing the vacuum switch I guess. If anyone has any ideas on this I would appreciate the feedback. Thanks again for any help.
 
R

racerone

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The service manual has a procedure for testing the " fuel restriction switch "-----Perhaps contact your local friendly shop to see if they can do this for you.----Take switch off and walk in with it.----Or just install a new one.
 
C

Carolina Country Boy

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Thanks Racerone for the reply, I guess I'll start with replacing the vacuum switch. It's not crazy expensive but not really cheap either.
 
C

Carolina Country Boy

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Something I haven't checked really was the oil side. I'll look at that too. As I had mentioned we've had a couple of nice days in the low 80's and I go and start the boat up and no alarm but when its a little cooler it will alarm as soon as it's started up. I'll figure it out and I really do appreciate the feedback. I'm about to limit out on the turkey's and I'm ready to get the water and limit out on some fish! Thanks again!
 
oldboat1

oldboat1

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solid alarm? would indicate an overheating issue, or issue with the alarm circuit/function.
 
C

Carolina Country Boy

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Yeah overheating I've kind of ruled out. I know a solid or steady alarm indicates one of two things, overheating or a fuel flow restriction. It will alarm on a cool morning as soon as it being started and hasn't even had time to get to running temps. When it's a nice warm day it tends to start with no alarm and even when running it and the motor warms up it will stop. The motor runs fine with plenty of power, I know it's confusing to me too. I've got a couple of things to check, Faztbullet mention checking the oil side of the VRO and you mentioned alarm circuit/function. I'm working 48 hr. shift at the F.D. but will get back on it by the end of the week. I don't understand why it alarms when the motor is cold and will not alarm when it's warmed up. I'm going to probably change out the vacuum switch which monitors the fuel flow, could be a bad switch ($132.00) . It's almost a process of elimination at this point. I'm like most po-folks, try to fix it myself if I can. I really do appreciate the input, it give me ideas on things to check. I'll update when I figure this thing out, might end up having to take it to shop.
 
Faztbullet

Faztbullet

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Add some oil to fuel just in case and just unplug VRO harness...if alarm stops its VRO.
 
C

Carolina Country Boy

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Apr 18, 2020
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I'm on it! I just need a little schooling. I have unplugged the vacuum switch at one point when I was trying to track down my problem and the alarm stopped.Now when I unplug the VRO harness how much oil should I add to the fuel? My fuel tank holds 27 gallons of fuel, should I just add a little to compensate for the oil it may not be adding through the VRO? When I unplug the harness from the VRO is it still functional ? Again I would like to thank y'all for your help.
 
C

Carolina Country Boy

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Apr 18, 2020
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Ok everybody, I may have discovered my problem. I'm a pretty mechanical type person and can fix most things, I am by far a boat motor mechanic though. I have been leaning toward an issue with the motor (fuel flow restriction alarm) but I think it is a faulty alarm horn. It did seem as though the weather (cold-warm day) had an effect on the alarm. I ran the motor the other day and unplugged the VRO harness and still had the alarm, I also at the same time unplugged the Vacuum Switch and still was in alarm mode. That didn't make sense to me because if it's not hooked up it shouldn't receive an alarm ...right? So I opened up the plug on the control box and touched one of the connections to the alarm horn with my finger and it stopped. I noticed when this first started when I turned the key switch over instead of a little beep to let you know it's working it automatically alarmed without the motor even being started. I opened up the control box and cleaned the connections on the alarm horn but still didn't fix it however, one of the terminals or connections I believe has a short in it. I can press on it with my finger and it stops or bend it a little and the alarm stops. Feedback on this would be great! Does this sound like I have found my problem? I guess I will replace the alarm horn and cross my fingers! Again, I am very thankful for everyone's input on this. I will post to let y'all know if this fixes my problem.
 
dingbat

dingbat

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Carolina Country Boy said:
Hello everyone, still needing some help on this problem. I've checked for any restrictions in the fuel lines, primer bulb and my fuel tank does not have an anti-siphoning valve. The motor runs strong with no problems and really can't seem to understand why it is alarming. When the motor is cold and started it automatically starts to alarm. There is the occasion when it is a nice warm day it can be started and may not alarm. I have ran the motor with it cold and in alarm mode and seems when the motor warms up it will stop. Confused and frustrated! Could it be a bad vacuum switch or bad alarm horn? I could do a process of elimination and start with replacing the vacuum switch I guess. If anyone has any ideas on this I would appreciate the feedback. Thanks again for any help.
Click to expand...
There are detailed instructions in the manual to allow you to test each sensor individually before you start changing parts at random.

It’s not a complicated system at all. You should be able to run there all the tests in no time.

I assume this motor does have “System Check“?
 
C

Carolina Country Boy

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Apr 18, 2020
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I don't have a manual for this motor, it's a '95 Johnson150 Fast Strike. System Check? I wish I could answer that, I know the boat beeps / chirps when you first turn the key over to start to let you know the alarm horn is working.
 
C

Carolina Country Boy

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Apr 18, 2020
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Update on this issue. I ended up replacing the warning horn and fixing this problem. It took a while to finally trace it down but works like it should now with no alarm. Before, at the first click of the switch it would start to alarm without the motor even being turned over. I even thought the weather had something to do with it (warm day-cool day). It was very sporadic, after taking the small plug off the control box to gain access to the wires of the warning horn I discovered there seemed to be a short on the positive side of the part. I appreciate all of the input from everyone. I know by the number of post and y'alls background that you have a lot of knowledge in this field. It's good that you take the time out to help other people. Thanks again.
 
T

Tassie 1

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Apr 13, 2018
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Thanks for coming back and posting your fix,
it's excellent when folk take the time to do that,

( Son has just bought one...' 96 115...in the last week or so )
Cheers
 
B

Boatbum11

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May 29, 2020
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Was your alarm in the control box or under the helm/dash? Ours is under the helm of a Four Winns Freedom 170 / 115hp Evinrude and has a continual clicking/ticking sound once started up. No over heat, VRO oil level/mix fine. Replaced the alarm but still same issue. The noise is not the alarm beep for warning signals. Oddly, when the trim switch on the control handle is pushed in the noise stops, voltage gauge drops slightly, but once released noise starts again.
 
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