My rib is beeping!

Mugshot · 05 August 2006, 21:50

Hello, long time lurker first time caller. I'm hoping for some advice please. I've very recently bought myself my first rib after a few years with a sib. I was having a bounce around just off Milford Haven today when I noticed a loud continous beep, I stopped and turned all the instruments off and discovered it was coming from the throttle control. I checked the oil and the tell tail assuming it was a warning but all appeared fine, but headed for home just in case. As far as I can work out from the internet the Quicksilver throttle beeps continously to warn the engine is overheating, but even now, about six hours later its still doing it when the ignition key is turned. Any help would be appreciated, I'm hoping its just a wire shaken loose but despite my best efforts I cant seem to find anything out of place. Thanks in advance.

stedj · 05 August 2006, 22:34

it may be a trim alarm try turning the ignition on and off while triming the engine[goes without saying dont start it]

Mugshot · 05 August 2006, 22:40

Thanks for the reply stedj, just went out and tried what you suggested, it didnt make any difference

BogMonster · 06 August 2006, 00:04

My guess would be some sort of sensor or sensor wiring fault if there is nothing that seems to be wrong. Outboard motors probably follow the tried and tested standard set by cars in that the main function of a warning light/sounder is to indicate that the sensor isn't working rather than any actual fault

Mine (I think) beeps for overheat, low oil level and low oil pressure, and maybe something else too (there are four lights but I can't remember what the other one is.... and its dark outside) - clearly it can't be overheat if the engine has been off for a few hours! - and if the oil is fine then it may be just a glitch? Mine beeps as a test when you first switch the ignition on each time, it beeps and all the warning lights come on as a check, but it has never squawked about anything else (famous last words, clutching for bit of wood as I speak...!)

Poly · 06 August 2006, 00:26

if its autolube (not premix) 2 stroke the alarm may be set at a surpisingly high level of oil in the tank. mine goes off at least 1 hour before you get to the bottom of the tank. (I guess so you have time to head for shore).

but as stephen says it could be a faulty sensor rather than an actual fault.

Mugshot · 06 August 2006, 00:48

Thank you for the suggestions. It is an autolube, the oil level was about half full when the alarm went off, but I topped it up anyway whilst I was out. Unfortunately the thing kept screaming at me. As far as I can work out from searching around online the oil warning is an intermittant beep and the over heating is a continuous one, and this noise is definitely continuous. As Stephen said I'm leaning towards a sensor problem (and I'm praying its not just wishful thinking!) as there didnt appear to be any difference in response etc. Obviously its too dark and far too late to be getting dirty now, but would I be right in saying that the problem is going to be at the engine rather than the throttle, just so I dont take the wrong thing apart.

Poly · 06 August 2006, 00:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mugshot

but would I be right in saying that the problem is going to be at the engine rather than the throttle, just so I dont take the wrong thing apart.

More likely -but it could be a wiring fault or a connection at the "big connector" between the engine anf the controls.

First thing is to find out when the engine overheats if the sensor should close the circuit (short) OR open it (break) and test the situation with a multimeter.

Nos4r2 · 06 August 2006, 00:58

Look on the block/head water jacket area. There's a sensor that's clamped to the block with a single wire going to it-the wire's stripey blue/brown from memory and has what looks like a bit of black heatshrink on it at the sensor end . The sensor is about the size of an old 1/2p and looks a bit like a watch battery.

Unplug it and see if the alarm stops going off. It shorts (closes circuit) when you overheat and it goes off when the outside of the water jacket gets too hot so you can't unfortunately test it in boiling water-it's not hot enough.

just looking for a part number for you-I think I've got one here somewhere that I bought on ebay a while back.

Mugshot · 06 August 2006, 00:58

Thanks Polwart

. I'll have a nose around again tomorrow, as I said I'm hoping its just a wire come loose, its was pretty lumpy today, so things would have been shaken about a little.

Mugshot · 06 August 2006, 01:12

Nos

!! That was a fantastic and totally accurate description, I just had to go and try it, I pulled it out and the beeping stopped I put it back in and the beeping was back, if only I knew what to do next

Nos4r2 · 06 August 2006, 01:12

can't find the part number (bought it too long ago) but this is what the sensor looks like. the clamp fitting to the block may look different though.

Nos4r2 · 06 August 2006, 01:14

Buy a new one! they aren't fantastically expensive. They literally just butt up onto the head and conduct heat that way-very easy to replace

Nos4r2 · 06 August 2006, 01:17

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mercury-Marine...ayphotohosting

Does this look like the right item?

Make sure all the mountings are ok and email them to ask dimensions to make sure it's the right one.

Mugshot · 06 August 2006, 01:18

Right, brilliant, thank you very much, I'll do that then. Thanks again,

. Does this mean that its just a dicky sensor as opposed to the engine over heating then?

Mugshot · 06 August 2006, 01:20

It looks like the kind of thing, but I didnt trace it all the way back, also the wire just pulled straight out of the middle of mine, which I would guess looking at that its not supposed to do!

Nos4r2 · 06 August 2006, 01:22

If it's going off constantly then yeah, should be a dodgy sensor. Get a replacement before you use it in anger though.

LOL no, it's supposed to be quite a solid solder joint. I'd guess that your dodgy wire was shorting to earth.

Mugshot · 06 August 2006, 01:28

Hmmmm, I thought as much, have to try and get the rest of the blessed thing out now, thanks again though Nos, you've provided some spot on advice, although I was hoping to convince my wife that I'd need a new engine instead. Nevermind, maybe I'll convince her next time I manage to break something.

Nos4r2 · 06 August 2006, 01:43

Is that the clamshell,square cowl or rounded cowl version you've got? If it's the square cowl with the top fill for the autolube what year is it? I've been trying to find a manual for mine and clymer don't list one for my model year.

I'm sure if you're clever you'll manage to convince her anyway.... 'I don't trust it now' is a good starting point

Mugshot · 06 August 2006, 01:46

Its square with a top fill for the autolube, according to the serial number its a 1992 model. Just got the rest of the bits out too, if a jobs worth doing its worth doing at 1.30am.

Nos4r2 · 06 August 2006, 01:50

LOL fair comment there.

Ah....just found a manual on ebay!