Merc Outboard Alarm - (Oil warning)

[U-Wyshhh]

I have an 18' Suntracker with a Merc 40 hp outboard motor, purchased in 2000. Well maintained. Yesterday the boat ran fine. Today the oil alarm went on, first thing, and won't shut off. The oil is full. The fuse box, so I've been told, is getting to the point where it needs to be replaced. Several questions... Could this be the reason why... the fuse is not getting a good contact, or does that sound stupid? Is putting in a new fuse box a big deal? As you can tell, I have little to no knowledge of boat motors and am at the mercy of whomever I can get to fix it. If I need to take it to an expert, does anyone know a good boat motor mechanic in the Elkton, MD area? Thanks for your time.

 

[Jessejames007]

Re: Merc Outboard Alarm - (Oil warning)

I had a 2001 150hp merc before and the problem was the oil float under the oil fill cap. That sticks sometimes so if your engine has one, might want to take a look at it.

 

[Faztbullet]

Re: Merc Outboard Alarm - (Oil warning)

Is this the 2 or 3 cylinder engine?

 

[1fast6]

Re: Merc Outboard Alarm - (Oil warning)

Just to eliminate the fuse box, take a jumper wire and jump across the terminals of the fuse while the alarm is sounding. If it goes out then most like your fuse is not getting proper contact. If it stays on then you need to look elsewhere. Ie corrosion at the sensor wires etc.

 

[aussieflash]

Re: Merc Outboard Alarm - (Oil warning)

Check everything.Could even be a lazy cylinder triggering a pulse like sensor.My V6 was only running 3 cylinders and dead cylinder had sensor attached which triggered alarm.
Most important to check pump is actually working.

 

[U-Wyshhh]

Re: Merc Outboard Alarm - (Oil warning)

Is this the 2 or 3 cylinder engine?

I believe it a 2-cylinder. It takes TC-W3 2-Cycle Outboard Oil. It is a Merc 2000 - 40 ELPTO motor. After starting it, the alarm sounds for a minute then goes off for a minute then on & off, etc. Water is flowing thru the motor for sure. Could the oil pump be stuck? I'm lost but will take all your suggestions and try to put them to good use!

Thanks again and Safe Boating!

 

[U-Wyshhh]

Re: Merc Outboard Alarm - (Oil warning)

Will do - Thanks to everyone for all your suggestions. They are all "greaty appreciated".

 

[Faztbullet]

Re: Merc Outboard Alarm - (Oil warning)

Its either a sticking float or sensor or TPM module. Disconnect the 2 blue wires from sensor and if it stops problem is in the tank float or sensor. If it still sounds its th TPM module and the fuse box has nothing to due with it.

 

[U-Wyshhh]

Re: Merc Outboard Alarm - (Oil warning)

Its either a sticking float or sensor or TPM module. Disconnect the 2 blue wires from sensor and if it stops problem is in the tank float or sensor. If it still sounds its th TPM module and the fuse box has nothing to due with it.

The float was stuck!!! A friend disconnected the 2 wires and the alarm stopped...then reconnected them. they took it out and ran it over a choppy wake and whallah...it's fixed! Thank God...and you - All of You!

I'll keep a copy of all these replies in my boat folder for later reference. Y'all are GR8!!! Thanks from Cap't Mary on U-Wyshhh!

 

[Crawdadblue]

Re: Merc Outboard Alarm - (Oil warning)

Yep it is probably the oil sensor float thats in the oil tank on the engine. They do go bad on occasion and are not that expensive to change. Nothin to do with fuse box anyways. The sensor is on the engine and if the fuse goes bad the sensor will not work period. Its all built into the shifter anyways not the boat! Theres not a fuse in the boat fuse panel that will go bad. All fuses in there are all boat related. Lights, radio, horn,ignition,etc..... all engine fuses are on the engine or in shifter.

 

[Cannondale]

Re: Merc Outboard Alarm - (Oil warning)

The float was stuck!!! A friend disconnected the 2 wires and the alarm stopped...then reconnected them. they took it out and ran it over a choppy wake and whallah...it's fixed! Thank God...and you - All of You!

I'll keep a copy of all these replies in my boat folder for later reference. Y'all are GR8!!! Thanks from Cap't Mary on U-Wyshhh!

Glad it got fixed

BTW.....it's spelled voila, not whallah.