warning beep

msmith0151 · Apr 29, 2011

I have mercury 150 xr6, it is a 1999, we just bought the boat off a new friend who had no prob. but after we took it out a warning beep beep beep started going off, we changed the water pump and this fixed it the next time we went out, then a few weeks later we went again and the same beep beep came on, the water pump is putting out water and at a good tempature and the oil reservoir on the motor is full, and it appears to be pumping oil. Anyone have any idea what could be wrong

j_martin · Apr 29, 2011

Re: warning beep

What's wrong is you don't know that is the oil alert alarm. To keep running that engine without adding oil to the fuel is risking serious damage. WTF do you think alarms are for?

It could be anything from a failed gear, sensor, warning module, switch, etc. complete troubleshooting guide is in the service manual.

Faztbullet · Apr 29, 2011

Re: warning beep

Keep running it and it will quit beeping...suddenly. As J posted that the oil alert and you need it inspected/tested.

msmith0151 · Apr 30, 2011

Re: warning beep

we did pour oil in the gas, and we have shut it down and went home when the beep goes off. So the beep beep beep is the oil alarm. I know very little about outboards, so thinks for the suggestion on what it might be

j_martin · Apr 30, 2011

Re: warning beep

Looking back over your original post, I'm inclined to think that the problem is most likely a ratty ignition switch, or a loose connection. If the power gets dirty (as in arcing switch) to the oil alert module, it'll lose it's mind and start beeping. To reproduce this, just turn the key switch off and on rapidly a few times.

msmith0151 · Apr 30, 2011

Re: warning beep

thanks, something else is that the voltage gauge, or charging guage is really high. ?????? could this have something to do with it

j_martin · Apr 30, 2011

Re: warning beep

Define really high. Also, the dash gauges are pretty primitive. What is the actual battery voltage when running?

I would guess that overvoltage would be hard on the oil alert module.

hope it helps
John

msmith0151 · May 1, 2011

Re: warning beep

not completely pegged out but over 2/3 over. prob. 17 or 18

j_martin · May 1, 2011

Re: warning beep

Check the electrolyte level in the battery. Also check the actual battery voltage with a reliable meter.

I believe you have a dual 20 amp regulator system. You can disconnect the yellow wires from each regulator in turn, and see if it settles down on just one. When you disconnect the one your tach is connected to, the tach will die. You can just plug the grey wire into the regulator you have active.

joed · May 1, 2011

Re: warning beep

You added oil to the gas but did you fill the oil tank?

j_martin · May 1, 2011

Re: warning beep

joed said:
You added oil to the gas but did you fill the oil tank?

Read the thread before you add a comment please. He has an intermittent oil alert problem and has stated that the tank is full. Adding oil to the gas is a prophylactic technique just in case the oiler is actually failing, and he has done that.

maxin it out · May 1, 2011

Re: warning beep

Why don't you just pre- mix your gas ahead of time, and take out the oil tank. Just makes sense.

aussieflash · May 2, 2011

Re: warning beep

I would test everything first before even thinking of doing away with the OI system.Premixing is a pain and comes with quite a few downfalls.

jhebert · May 2, 2011

Re: warning beep

Read the owner's manual for your Mercury outboard engine. The owner's manual will explain the aural alert system. When you hear an aural alert, the owner's manual will explain how to interpret the meaning of the signal, what action to take immediately, and what action to take in the future to remedy the problem.

On these older outboard engines the aural alert warning must be interpreted to discover its meaning. Usually the cadence of the alarm sounding, the circumstances of when the alarm sounds, and persistence of the alarm will provide enough information for you to deduce the meaning of the alarm. This should all be explained in the owner's manual.

Maxz695 · May 2, 2011

Re: warning beep

Many times it,s just the float sensor in the oil tank . Try to unhook it and see if the alarm goes off if so replace it

j_martin · May 2, 2011

Re: warning beep

Sheesh, I'll try to sort it out.

maxin it out said:
Why don't you just pre- mix your gas ahead of time, and take out the oil tank. Just makes sense.

The oil system is on average more reliable than the average boater, and for sure more reliable than a celebrating boater.

aussieflash said:
I would test everything first before even thinking of doing away with the OI system.Premixing is a pain and comes with quite a few downfalls.

See last one

jhebert said:
Read the owner's manual for your Mercury outboard engine. The owner's manual will explain the aural alert system. When you hear an aural alert, the owner's manual will explain how to interpret the meaning of the signal, what action to take immediately, and what action to take in the future to remedy the problem.

I think he's talking about the audio alert. I don't think there's anything spiritual involved.

jhebert said:
On these older outboard engines the aural alert warning must be interpreted to discover its meaning. Usually the cadence of the alarm sounding, the circumstances of when the alarm sounds, and persistence of the alarm will provide enough information for you to deduce the meaning of the alarm. This should all be explained in the owner's manual.

Pure BS. It beeps on fault. Doesn't make any difference what the fault is.

Maxz695 said:
Many times it,s just the float sensor in the oil tank . Try to unhook it and see if the alarm goes off if so replace it

Normal output is close on fault. If the alarm was beeping and the tank is full, and you disconnect it and the alarm stops, then the tank sensor is at fault. It's one of a whole page full of tests to do in the manual. It is, however, only one of many tests for possible faults.

With the history of your fault, get the electrical system working right, then troubleshoot the alarm if and when it happens. Meanwhile, make excess smoke till you figure it out.

shankforce · May 2, 2011

Re: warning beep

Yea the sensor on the cap is common check the magnet float on it and do the test from the book for it . If that checks out one less common thing is the mercury kill switch it causes the oil alarm to go if it goes bad on some of the older mercury outboards there is a test for this in the book also.

warning beep

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