BUZZER ??? What is it telling me?

I have a 1986 Wellcraft 20 Fisherman (Center Counsel) with a OMC 1.6 ltr SeaDrive outboard setup. Recently on my way back into port a buzzer under my helm start to sound off. First was a burst for about 5 second, then after a bit it became constant. When I back to throttle back the buzzr stops. As soon as I cause rpm to raise, the buzzer starts again. I thought it may have been a low fuel or low oil warning but after filling both areas I still get the buzzer. The bilge is dry so no high water warning.

Does anyone out there have an 86 era 20 fisherman that can tell me what the buzzer under the helm is for?

Re: BUZZER ??? What is it telling me?

Sounds like high temp alarm. Do a search for diagnosing the cause. Good Luck

Re: BUZZER ??? What is it telling me?

coastalrichard said:

Sounds like high temp alarm. Do a search for diagnosing the cause. Good Luck

Click to expand...

Thanks for the response. I have attempted to search for this issue but have not been able to find anything that addresses it. There is one additional thing that began happening a couple days prior. On my way out of the launch area I started to bring the boat up onto a plain. As I accelerated, the engine began to die out. I immediately thought the system was running out of gas and pulled back on the throttle then returned to the ramp, put gas in the vessel and headed out again. Same thing happened again. So long as I keep it at below 10 or so mph it runs fine but if I accelerate it wants to die out.

I have replaced the water/fuel separator filter, the fuel bulb, clipped and re-seated the fuel lines the the tank, bulb and engine, I replaced the lower end gear oil (for good measure). None of these things have remedied the issue of it dying out of the buzzer sounding. I appear to have good water flow through the engine as it spits water from all the expected ports while running. I am wondering if these things have a sensor in the fuel tank for water contamination. If so I may have water in the tank that is being pulled to the rear as I accelerate bringing the bow up allowing the water to get into the fuel lines causing it to die out and/or sounding the buzzer.

Does this sound plausible? If not does anyone have a link to a maintenance guide for this year and make of vessel?

Re: BUZZER ??? What is it telling me?

You may have a couple of issues to deal with. A constant horn is an overheat warning. You can have good water flow from the telltale and the engine can still be overheating. If one/both of the thermostats stick closed, no water will circulate through the block, causing the overheat warning. That warning horn goes off when one/both heads get up to 212 degrees. You could borrow/rent a laser temp gun and verify the actual head temps when the horn goes off next time. Normal idle head temps vary between 143 and 155. If the engine dies out as you accellerate, the engine could be running out of fuel. Next time out and you have that problem have a friend constantly prime the fuel hose bulb. This will force extra fuel into the carbs. If it runs fine when you constantly prime the hose bulb, you have a fuel restriction or a weak fuel pump.

Re: BUZZER ??? What is it telling me?

In agreement with the above replies, there are no short cuts. A constant steady waring horn alarm indicates either a fuel restriction (V6 & V8 models) or a overheating problem. A fuel restriction would normally cause the fuel primer bulb to collapse somewhat also. Sounds like it's time to drop that lower unit to install a new water pump assembly... good idea to change the thermostats etc also.

(VRO Horn Warnings)
(J. Reeves)

NOTE: I retired around 1991/92. Possibly some of the later V4 engines and others may also incorporate a fuel vacuum switch that would enable a fuel restriction warning to sound as mentioned below, an unknown factor to myself.

1 - A steady constant beep = Overheating - The V/6 engines, possibly some others, have a fuel restriction warning which is also a steady constant beep.

2 - A beep every 20 or 40 seconds = oil level has dropped to 1/4 tank. (Late model engine = Every 40 seconds)

3 - A beep every other second = VRO failure, air leak in oil line, oil restriction, (anything that would result in a lack of oil being supplied to the engine).

NOTE - If the warning horn is the black plastic (overpriced) three wire type horn, the warning horn should beep once when the ignition key is turned to the ON position. If it does not, it is either faulty or someone has disconnected it (a stupid move!). At any rate, if it does not beep which indicates that the horn is non functional, find out why and do not run the engine until the problem is corrected.

Re: BUZZER ??? What is it telling me?

Use premix til you figure it out.