key choke alarm going off?

T.C. Smith

Recruit
Joined
Jul 9, 2001
Messages
1
Last weekend my key choke alarm started going off. A loud beep beep beep. It would not quit.(It is a quicksilver key choke with an alarm in a nylon bag under the steering consol) I filled up the oil tank on my 1989 inline 6 mercury 115 outboard and it kept on beeping. The manual said it would go off it the engine overheated or if the oil pump failed. I tried it again monday and is still beeping. It starts beeping as soon as you turn on the ignition, before the motor even starts. It stays on when the motor is running. So I know it is not telling me the engine is too hot. I also took the inline full filter on the motor off and cranked the motor, the oil pump seems to be working because the oil gas mixture is green. The motor starts and runs fine. I have not taken boatfrom the dock though , because I am conerned about damaging something on the motor. Help?
 

12Footer

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Messages
8,217
Re: key choke alarm going off?

It sounds like there is a short to ground in the alarm circuit. Either in the wiring to the alarm, or the temp sender or injector sensor. Disconnect one or the other at the motor. This should narrow it down to one or the other. If it continues to alarm with both disconnected, an continuity check on the alarm wire should indicate continuity,which indicates the problem is in the wire harness or alarm itself.<br />This process of elimination should find your problem. If it don't, well...You got me.<br />Let me know if you find it or not. There are some other things less common we can check.
 

pjhmth

Cadet
Joined
Jun 11, 2001
Messages
12
Re: key choke alarm going off?

I have a 1987 mariner 135 with the same setup. I took experienced the continous beeping. When you are running the boat does the temperature gauge (if so equipped)go to<br />"H". This is normal however as soon as you cut back on the throttle the guage should go back towards "C" I changed my impeller and the noise went right away. If your motor has sat for a while, or it's been a couple of years try this, it's usually it.<br /><br />------------------
 

jkering66

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jun 17, 2003
Messages
42
Re: key choke alarm going off?

T.C. Smith,<br /><br />Did you find a resolution to this issue? I am having the same exact issue with my 1988 Mercury 175 outboard. It just started 2 days ago. Engine runs great.<br /><br />In my situation, it cannot be an overheat alarm, it goes off the second I start the boat, engine is cold.<br /><br />Thanks.
 
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