Water Alarm won't stop DT 55 1989

[mz1bh3]

HI,<br /><br />Just replaced the impeller on my 89 DT 55 and I can't seem to be able to reset the alarm.. <br /><br />I changed the impeller first because the water alarm was lit up on the gauge.... The impeller was broken off on one of the fins... the broken piece where is it likely to go? Could it still be stuck in the head of the engine?.. I checked the pressure after installing the new impeller and it seems fine. Today I removed the thermpostat ran the engine and there was much water flow.. did the same with the water flow alarm switch just below the thermostat and the alarm still won't turn off. The water warning light is still lit and the alarm still rings... took the boat out for a spin - getting about 4500 rpm and about 28MPH.. about 80% of the normal 38mph and 5500(revolution reduction?). Tried the low level reset switch but it doesn't seem to do anything when I pushed it in.. It didn't seem to click or anything (the motor was running when I pushed it in) ...is there a way of bypassing the switch to reset the alarm... The motor starts and idles fine but boggs when it reaches half speeds and up ...the alarm rings the whole time... the water light stays on ..suggestions????<br /><br />Please help.. Thanks Drewcan

 

[Steamboat]

Re: Water Alarm won't stop DT 55 1989

Should be able to check the water flow switch with an ohm meter to make sure it's working (simple Open/Closed contact). Switch may be bad, have you tested the T-stats to make sure it opens/closes when it's suppose to?

 

[mz1bh3]

Re: Water Alarm won't stop DT 55 1989

Pulled Tstats and cleaned... seems okay .. pulled out the water flow switch, cleaned and turned upside down so that float remained open (for testing). Thought by turning key to on position without starting the engine that I could see the water level warning lamp go out...still lit so now I am going to test with ohm lamp...purple black and green wires.. assuming purple and black are primes because they're bigger than the green.. getting frustrated.

 

[Steamboat]

Re: Water Alarm won't stop DT 55 1989

I believe the water alarm flow only goes out when actual flow is sensed, so turning it upside down should have tricked it into sensing flow. Sounds like the flow switch is bad butohm test will tell for sure. Browns Point Marine in NJ is a good source of internet parts for Suzuki engines (quick and reliable). The broken off part of the impeller may still be in the head, exhaust jacket or water passages, just depends on what size chunks came off the impeller. You may want to test the T-stats in hot water to make sure they open and close, easy test to eliminate a potential problem area.

 

[mz1bh3]

Re: Water Alarm won't stop DT 55 1989

Steamboat..Thanks for your help on this <br /><br />I checked the Ohms and by connecting black (switch) to black (tester) and small green wire (switch) to red (tester) and the reading is 15 when open and 0 when closed... is this the right way to test.. the purple cable doesn't seem to do anything...when connected to either... As I mentioned above, I would have guessed that by removing the switch from the head, turning the key on and flipping it open the water alarm on the gauge would have turned off. I actually removed the switch altogether and the water alarm light did go off.. Could it still be the switch that is defective.... this thing is $90 cdn - pretty expensive to buy and try so my next option is to bring it in...unless you have another suggestion... can I some how bypass the switch altogether without damaging components?<br /><br />Thanks

 

[Steamboat]

Re: Water Alarm won't stop DT 55 1989

Sounds like the switch is OK and the alarm goes away when you work the switch when removed, therefore its another problem. There may be a part of the missing impeller further in the water passages than the flow switch and you wouldn't see this if you pulled the flow switch to check while the engine is running since you have now provided a flow path out the flow switch opening. Only suggestion I can make is to either pull the exhaust plate and and cylinder cover plate to see if you can find the missing impeller fin or take the foot off the motor like you would to replace the water pump and then remove the T-stat and use a hose stuck in the T-stat opening to back flush the water passages. Put something under the foot to catch the water and whatever else comes out of the engine and see if you have found any missing impeller parts.

 

[classic 24]

Re: Water Alarm won't stop DT 55 1989

you can leave the water flow switch disconnected but you won't have any overheat warning.