I can not start my 2000 Yamaha 150

I just recently purchased the boat from the widow of my friend who passed away. He never had any issues with the boat and used it regularly. When I insert the key and turn it to the on position, the alarm comes on and does not go off. I pulled a plug and have no fire at all. I would appreciate any info. Also, this is my first outboard and I'm learning. Thanks. Del

Re: I can not start my 2000 Yamaha 150

If it's the low oil alarm, check the oil level in the tank. You need to get at least an owners operation book for this motor to study up on how it all works. There's a lot more to do and think about than an automobile. And you don't want to start learning down the river somewhere! Good Luck!

Re: I can not start my 2000 Yamaha 150

Check the gauges to see if they indicate what alarm is coming on.

Always post the complete model # so we know what motor you have. There are multiple 150s

Here is a link to owners manuals you can read, but cannot down load.
http://www.yamahaoutboards.com/owner-resources/owners-manuals

A service manual is what you need if you plan on working on it yourself.
http://www.yamahapubs.com/

Re: I can not start my 2000 Yamaha 150

Thanks for the insight. The model number is 150TXRY. I'm mechanically inclined but I have no knowledge of outboards. I did check the oil reservoir and the cap is cracked. Could that cause the alarm. The alarm is coming from the key switch. When I got the boat, there was an unhooked wire connection inside the motor. It's orange with 4 wires and seems to go to the coil. The original owner said he did not remember any wire harnesses not being connected so I hooked it up. It wasn't until I plugged it in that the alarm started. I did try starting it several times before I was told that the clip had to be on the kill switch. I was also told that only 3 things cause the key alarm to stay on. 1) Low oil, 2) Running hot, and 3) not having the clip on the kill switch. Could it possibly be the kill switch, and is there a way to bypass it to check? Thanks. Del

Re: I can not start my 2000 Yamaha 150

Del61 said:

When I got the boat, there was an unhooked wire connection inside the motor. It's orange with 4 wires and seems to go to the coil. The original owner said he did not remember any wire harnesses not being connected so I hooked it up. It wasn't until I plugged it in that the alarm started. Del

Click to expand...

Not sure how the original owner could tell you about wiring harnesses if you picked the boat from his widow, but you need to trace those wires to see what they come from and state what color wires in the connector as that is when your alarm started sounding.
Also what did you plug it into?

Pics may help also

you never said if you have gauges indicating what alarm is

Re: I can not start my 2000 Yamaha 150

99yam40 said:

Not sure how the original owner could tell you about wiring harnesses if you picked the boat from his widow, but you need to trace those wires to see what they come from and state what color wires in the connector as that is when your alarm started sounding.
Also what did you plug it into?

Pics may help also

you never said if you have gauges indicating what alarm is

Click to expand...

I don't have gauges that show anything to do with the alarm, and the person I'm talking about is the original owner. I purchased the boat from the guy he sold it to, and I plugged it into the other half of the connector that was laying there.

Re: I can not start my 2000 Yamaha 150

When you don't have fire to the engine, the first thing you do is make sure the kill switch is plugged in.

Put a gallon of oil in the big external oil tank, and check the little oil tank up by the flywheel to make sure it has oil in it. If not, use the toggle switch on the black box to manually pump oil from the external tank to the little oil tank. There should not be any alarm on a cold, unstarted motor if the tanks both have oil in them.

If you cannot get it started, I would suggest find a good independent marine shop to sort out your problem. I have a Yamaha outboard service manual, and have found it to have saved me a fortune throughout the years. My manual also has full wiring schematics.

Re: I can not start my 2000 Yamaha 150

Del61 said:

I don't have gauges that show anything to do with the alarm, and the person I'm talking about is the original owner. I purchased the boat from the guy he sold it to, and I plugged it into the other half of the connector that was laying there.

Click to expand...

trace the wires back from both plugs to see where they go, and post wire colors.
may not be the proper place to plug them in.

Seems like one may be to trim and the other to oil or other alarm, but you do not have the harnesses or gauges for either one

Re: I can not start my 2000 Yamaha 150

When I push the toggle switch, no oil pumps. It does nothing at all, but both tanks appear full.