Johnson 200hp Alarm....

[Knightime]

Johnson 200hp, 1995 (totally rebuilt in 05).

After running for about 15 minutes at about 4500rpms....an alarm sounded and the engine began cutting out (only running on a few cylinders).

After slowing down to idle (still in gear) the alarm stopped but, when trying to power above about 2000rpms the engine would cut out and alarm would sound.

I pulled the cover, the engine did not appear to be too hot as I could touch the heads for a short period of time and the tattle tale was working.

Had no problem idling (900-1500rpms) the short distance back into port and loading the boat on her trailer.

I was running low on fuel......

QUESTION: Is there some type of fuel alarm that might go off if the fuel were low?

**I have experienced the overheating alarm before but, the cutting out I've never experienced.

 

[jwellcraft]

Re: Johnson 200hp Alarm....

I would test the temp sensors to make sure they are working and the fuel alarm you would get for fuel would be if there was a fuel restriction. Sounds like you overheated though and the motor went into slow mode.

 

[d.boat]

Re: Johnson 200hp Alarm....

You should get an owner's manual for your engine and possibly a service manual if you plan to do any tinkering with it. I found the owner's manual to be valuable for stuff like this and general operation and owner maintenance and system checks when I acquired a '90 J200. The service manual only when I got to actually working on it. But, there's 4 alarms:

Constant alarm can be fuel restriction or overheat depending on circumstances and how the motor acts.

Fuel restriction: alarm sounds at higher RPMs, but goes off when you back off.

Over heat: alarm sounds and won't stop until engine cools - usually also causes SLOW mode (automatically cuts RPMs).
[does this sound like the one you're hearing?]

There are two intermittent alarms:

rapid on/of of alarm (every second) is "no oil"

slower on/off of alarm (every 20+ seconds): low oil

 

[Knightime]

Re: Johnson 200hp Alarm....

d.boat,

YOU SAID: Over heat: alarm sounds and won't stop until engine cools - usually also causes SLOW mode (automatically cuts RPMs).

HERE IS MY CONFUSION: my past experiences with overheat is that (like you said) "alarm does not stop until engine cools".....

In this case, as soon as I pulled the throttle down and the boat settled off plane the alarm quit.....the alarm did not come back on but, the SLOW mode continued.

(so you know, I am an extremely experienced boater and mechanic....again, the confusion factor in not experiencing an alarm in this fashion)

Thanks, I really appreciate your reply....
(yours too jwellcraft)

 

[clanton]

Re: Johnson 200hp Alarm....

You have to turn the key off to reset S.L.O.W.
1995 could have been rigged with old style alarm, or new style alarm called System Check.
System Check has a tach with red 4 red lights, over heat, no oil, low oil, and check engine.
The Check engine light is for fuel restriction V6 engines.
Over heat only alarm that will set S.L.O.W.
Engine could be rigged with factory wiring adapters to use older controls.
Inportant to know, which system and how rigged.


Wild guess, border line over heat, when you back off throttle engine cools, alarm stops.

 

[Knightime]

Re: Johnson 200hp Alarm....

ALL...FOLLOW UP - Went all through the engine on Sat....tested everything. Everything tested fine, everything operated normally.

(don't let me forget to mention, I put about 20 gallons in the tank...remember I said the fuel was low)

Still not sure what it was but, I did notice that the tattle tale is a bit stronger....maybe something in the cooling system clogged and then let go.

Ran it Sunday all different speeds more than 10 miles.....no alarms and she ran well.

Thanks to all for the input.

Bill
"may you enjoy calm seas and warm breezes"