Which wire is the temperature sensor wire.

[jpdodd]

I just bought a 1996 Nitro 185 fish and ski boat that has a Force (Tracker) 120 HP engine on it. The engine runs fine, but I noticed that there is no temperature warning beep when I turn the key to the start position. I did some searching on wiring diagrams, and they all say that the temperature wire is brown. I found two wires in the engine that are brown, and I don't know which one it is. Below I attached some pictures to help indentify.



Thanks,

jon

 

[droach77]

Re: Which wire is the temperature sensor wire.

second picture, its to the left of the spark plugs.

 

[jpdodd]

Re: Which wire is the temperature sensor wire.

Thanks. Now I just need to trace that one up to the ignition switch. I assume that the temperature warning horn should be next to the ignition switch, right?

 

[bentle]

Re: Which wire is the temperature sensor wire.

Should be up under dash close to ignition switch but probably not next to it. It will be a little black box of some sort and will have two wires connected to it.

 

[jpdodd]

Re: Which wire is the temperature sensor wire.

Gotcha. Thanks. I'll go check on that now. If it doesn't have one, are they easy to install? Would I have to get a whole new ignition switch? I can't imagine that it didn't start with one to begin with...

 

[jpdodd]

Re: Which wire is the temperature sensor wire.

O.K. so I traced the wire to the ignition switch and found the warning buzzer (It was hidden up behind the steering apparatus where I couldn't see it before). SO, it has one, and I tested it and it works. Now my problem is finding out why it doesn't work when it should. I'm guessing that there is some other sensor on the engine that might be bad? Any ideas?

 

[roscoe]

Re: Which wire is the temperature sensor wire.

They warning buzzer doesn't sound at ignition turn on, on those motors. At least none that I ever saw/worked on.
These are old school warning buzzers, there is no system check beep.

They only sound when the overheat sensor triggers it.

 

[jpdodd]

Re: Which wire is the temperature sensor wire.

Thanks for the reply. I didn't realize that there would be no system check beep. So as long as water is coming out of the engine to cool it, I shouldn't worry? The boat I just sold never had any problems with heating up as long as water was coming out...

 

[wickware]

Re: Which wire is the temperature sensor wire.

My horn is my warning connected to the sensor. I sound the horn with the horn button occasionally to know its working. It has rusted and stopped once since 1985. I have tested the sensor in hot water to see if it closes from the open circuit to serve as a ground to the horn as a warning.

Good Flowing Water is a good key to cooling. BUT! If you do not know the history of the impeller, it?s best to change it vs getting caught on the water and it stops pumping. I guess if you had a true temp gauge, it could indicate the impeller is failing before it goes completely?? Good Luck! jow

 

[jpdodd]

Re: Which wire is the temperature sensor wire.

Thanks for the advice everyone! I'm probably going to change the impeller just to be sure it's good.

jon

 

[pnwboat]

Re: Which wire is the temperature sensor wire.

Replacing the impeller is a good idea! If you've never done one before on this motor, here's a link. Look at Frank's "Step by step impeller change"

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=449011