Oil Warning?

[olmpilot]

'89 Evi 120 HP VRO on '89 Seaswirl Classic Cuddy: The other day, I was out on the water and everything was great, and suddenly I started hearing a very odd "screaching" noise from under the helm. I got up and looked under there and there is a little round thing that is some type of old horn or buzzer that was making intermittent noises. I shut the boat down and the noises ceased. When I started it back up, they came back but were very intermittent, and nothing I did could produce them (i.e. throttle up, back, etc.) Then I decided to check the oil resevoir and it had about 1/4 of a tank left in it. I put oil in and the noise hasn't returned. Is that some kind of warning system from the VRO? If so, is there something I can replace this "buzzer" with that would be more reliable than some intermittent screaching that was only audible at slow speeds. Or is this thing not related to the oil level and just a coincidence that it stopped making noise? Thanks!

 

[DJ]

Re: Oil Warning?

That alarm lets you know: you are low on oil, no oil and overheat.<br /><br />You can move the horn to a better location. Some have wired in a light also.

 

[olmpilot]

Re: Oil Warning?

Is it normal for it not to just go off like a normal alarm, or is the intermittent part normal? I would like to wire in a light. I guess a standard 12V automotive light inline with the warning buzzer would do the trick. Like I said, it's not very loud. Sounded more like something scratching at the side of the boat until I stopped and stuck my head under there.<br /><br />Rick

 

[DJ]

Re: Oil Warning?

The intermittant beeping denotes an oil problem. A constant beep denotes overheat.<br /><br />Option-there is a newer style horn that gives a telltale beep every time the key is turned on.<br /><br />Make sure that when you wire in a light, that both still work. You can test by grounding (Tan Wire) one of the temp. sensors (on the cylinder heads) with the key on-not running.

 

[olmpilot]

Re: Oil Warning?

Thanks DJ, any suggestion on where I can get a new style horn? Local marine shop? After reading more posts on here and analyzing the situation, I think it was the 20 second beep indictating the oil level was below 1/4 tank. Thinking the intermittent part could have been the swaying of the boat from waves in the bay once I stopped the boat and wasn't on an even plane.

 

[DJ]

Re: Oil Warning?

That new horn would be a dealer item. It is wired slightly different, but easy to figure out.<br /><br />"The "self test" alarm horn has a plastic housing and has a separate black ground wire on it, along with terminals for the purple 12V wire and the tan alarm wire." These wires would all be coming out of your key switch.<br /><br />I believe you are correct about the intermittant nature of your warning(s).

 

[marinemech]

Re: Oil Warning?

new horn may not be compatible to oil tank<br />if it is not i just disconnect low oil warning and tell customers to keep oil tank full<br />part number for new horn 585995 i think

 

[upfish123]

Re: Oil Warning?

1 beep every 20 secs means low oil in resevoir less than 1/4. One beep every half second means no oil going to motor. Constant beep means overheat. Hope that helps for something.

 

[jjboor]

Re: Oil Warning?

you could also install this:<br /><br />SYSTEM CHECK: <br />New From Johnson® & Evinrude®<br />All Johnson and Evinrude instrumentation packages now offer the new System Check automated warning system. <br /><br />System Check provides boaters with an audible and visual warning of operating conditions that could result in extensive engine damage and repair expense if undetected or ignored. <br /><br />www.evinrude.com under "parts"

 

[seahorse5]

Re: Oil Warning?

The System Check kit and gauge can only be installed on engines that use the 4-wire VRO (OMS) pump.