97 mercury oil and heat alarm

Every time I trun to the right the alarm will sound. I am only moving the steering wheel a 1/2" and it will go off. I have searched for wires pulling and having no luck locating this problem. Any help would be appreciated.

Re: 97 mercury oil and heat alarm

Engine configuration/hp? Is there oil in the tank? Is the harness connector properly seated?

Re: 97 mercury oil and heat alarm

Jake_MN said:

Engine configuration/hp? Is there oil in the tank? Is the harness connector properly seated?

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The engine is a 150hp. I have checked both tanks and all wiring. I did find the oil line going up to the top tank had a small indention in it right where it enters the motor (getting pinched when I turn right). Could this have restricted oil flow enough to trigger the alarm?

Re: 97 mercury oil and heat alarm

So the line gets pinched when you turn right? Is there any way you can have a helper hold the line taut to prevent it pinching when you turn the wheel?

Re: 97 mercury oil and heat alarm

I have given all the line smore slack, so hopefully that has fixed the problem. They were all zip tied to the steering cables. I'm still wondering if a slight pinch in the oil line will trigger the alarm.

Re: 97 mercury oil and heat alarm

Some Mercs have a second sensor beside the basic oil level sensor. The second sensor detects oil flow at the oil pump. If flow slows or stops, the alarm will sound. A pinch in the hose could cause some back pressure which might slow the oil flow.

Re: 97 mercury oil and heat alarm

Actually, the sensor on the oil pump detects rotation of the pump drive, and that's all. The alarm won't go off if the flow from the boat tank stops momentarily, but will go off and keep going off if the flow from the boat tank is cut off long enough for the oil in the engine tank to drop 1/2 inch or so.

If the engine tank is not plumb full to overflowing, as per the setup instructions in both the owner's manual and the service manual, it could set off the alarm when the oil shifts in a turn, then shut off.

BTW, the oil alarm is a beeping, and overheat, or a short in the wiring would be a constant tone.

If it's an EFI engine, water in the fuel separator will set off the oil alarm. (it's wired right in with the oil tank switch)

hope it helps
John

Re: 97 mercury oil and heat alarm

That does help in given me more things to check out. The boat had set for about a year before I bought it, so water in the fuel was one of my concerns. Even when the motor is at an idle and the wheel is turned the alarm will beep (not a constant tone). So far giving all the lines going to into motor a little more slack has seemed to solve the problem. I can only hope that was the issue.