alarm doesn't sound on startup

[dutch135]

I am in the process of purchasing a 1993 crownline 182 with 4.3 Mercruiser. The boat has 180 hrs, and seems in excellant condition. The question I have concerns alarms when starting. I have had outboards for the past 6 years, and always was used to a test alarm or horn going off as I turned the key to start. They always went off and I know they were normal. This I/O doesn't have any such alarms, and I was wondering if this is normal. There are guages for water temp, and oil pressure etc., and I watch them closely, but because everything seems to be in good shape there is no reason for an alarm to come on, so I don't know if they work.<br /><br />I also need to do some investigation into the fuel pump, it does seem to want to crank a long time before it starts,, but once it starts it runs beautiful.<br /><br />Thanks in advance,<br />Dutch<br />

 

[Skipster1]

Re: alarm doesn't sound on startup

I don't think that "alarms" are typical. The gauges should be re-assuring enough.<br />As to the fuel pump ... what kind is it?

 

[Doug Durako]

Re: alarm doesn't sound on startup

Many people snip the wires and go around these alarms. Mine is still hooked up, and it is a good thing, because my kids often take the boat out and they do not check fluid levels before taking off.<br /><br />Two summers ago, I had an outdrive seal leaking and the level was dangerously low. The only way my son knew this was the alarm would not shut off.<br /><br />They are annoying, but they can save you some big problems. On an I/O, the alarm sounds with low engine oil pressure, low drive fluid levels, and high engine temperature-----three killers of marine engines and drives.

 

[heyttown]

Re: alarm doesn't sound on startup

Just by chance, where are these alarms located.......My buddies boat is a 1997 searay 175. 3.0 merc alpha 1. He has all the gauges also, but no alarm like my outboard does....All he has is a single key start located on the dash near all the gauges....Just wondering where this alarm sounds from, the horn on the boat or something internal like near the shifter or something?

 

[Doug Durako]

Re: alarm doesn't sound on startup

Mine is under the dash near the ignitino wires. It puts out a high-pitched screeching sound---very annoying. It is a small module about the size of a belt buckle.

 

[cuzner]

Re: alarm doesn't sound on startup

Some boats don't have alarms. My current one takes over a minute to sound after the ignition is turned on, gives me time to start without the noise.<br /><br /> Jim

 

[imported_Mike_M2]

Re: alarm doesn't sound on startup

Dutch, that motors alarm buzzer is on a delay. Turn the key on and wait 10 seconds, then it should sound. They do that just to eliminate the buzzer during starting...

 

[imported_Mike_M2]

Re: alarm doesn't sound on startup

Hey, if that pump is electric you should hear it come on for a few seconds as you turn the key on. If it's a carb motor check your choke first, it's a more likely problem. If it's a carb motor, Do you pump the gas once before a cold start?

 

[Doug Durako]

Re: alarm doesn't sound on startup

Mike---can you purchase a "delay" for any alarm system? Where can I get one? It would be nice to start the boat without the screech. Mine stays on until the oil pressure comes up.

 

[Baldguy]

Re: alarm doesn't sound on startup

ddboater,<br /><br />On my Baja...I know how piercing that startup alarm can be. I placed a piece of electrical tape half way over the hole to this piezo alarm and by doing so turned down the volumne a little.<br /><br />I can still hear it and I'm sure I'll hear it if underway, but it's just not so darn piercing.

 

[dutch135]

Re: alarm doesn't sound on startup

I'll try to listen for an alarm after a delay, but I remember being out 2 weeks ago and turned the key on while I was switching on and off dash switches to get the radio to work. (it's broken )<br />I just haven't heard any alarms at all yet. <br /><br />I plan on checking into the choke this weekend. I do pump the throttle down to set the choke, as the previous owner told me to do. I'm also going to listen for a fuel pump and see if that is running (if it is electric). I just need a few minutes to be able to play with it when I'm not headed out with a load of people!

 

[elpaso]

Re: alarm doesn't sound on startup

To check if your overheat and oil pressure alarms work.<br /><br />Next to or close to your oil pressure sender will be the low oil<br />pressure sender. Remove the wire - with ignition on - ground<br />the wire - alarm should sound. If you get pressure wire the<br />needle on the gage will go all the way up.<br /><br />Temp. - on or next to the thermostat housing are 2 senders.<br />do the same test. One should "beep" the other gage will go<br />all the way up.<br /><br />No noise - no alarms, or they have been disabled.

 

[dutch135]

Re: alarm doesn't sound on startup

Ok, <br />Done Deal, Paperwork is done, I own it!<br /><br />Last nite, before we launched, I had a chance to check a few things. I heard the fuel pump doing it's thing,, sounds like the same ones in some of our Deere equipment,, clickety clickety clickety, so I think that's ok. Then , I pulled the aircleaner off, and looked at the choke, it didn't look fully closed, and I could tell it had been adjusted before, so I tweeked it a little more to close it a bit more. Put it together, and launched her. Went to start, I had an initial fire, then it cranked a bit till I stopped, returned the throttle to neutral, and cranked and had it start firing, a it fired little more, then started. I am thinking that maybe I don't need to give it so much throttle, and next outing I will try it that way. I am used to older boats that needed a pretty good pumping with the throttle till it started. <br /><br />Other than that, everything looks good.. It idles around the lake beautiful, and seems to have good power when needed. <br /><br />As far as the alarms go, that will be another day of testing, as nothing ever comes on, even after a delay. I will try pulling wires when I get time and see if they will work if needed,, although I usually watch guages pretty closely.<br /><br />Now, PLEASE STOP RAINING!<br />We don't need any more! <br />