1988 Evinrude 90 v-4 VRo - Alarm????

[JasonAych]

This boat and motor are new to me. Has OMC controls. After I had the boat running for 5 - 10 minutes on ear muffs all the sudden I heard some sort of alarm. It comes from the OMC controls (throttle shifter box). After it sits for a while (20 minutes) it is off. Comes back on after running for a few minutes. Is this the VRO alarm? Boat is smoking like a 2 stroke, so I know it is getting oil.

I just replaced a green wire that was connected to one of the mounting bolts on one of the coils (left top). I cut about 12" of wire that had been melted and I soldered it all so I know my connections are good. Did I mess something up somehow?

Thanks in advance!

 

[SKEETR]

Re: 1988 Evinrude 90 v-4 VRo - Alarm????

Sounds like some sort of ground wire that you fixed. What is it connected to on the other end?

 

[JasonAych]

Re: 1988 Evinrude 90 v-4 VRo - Alarm????

Not really sure. I followed it to a wire harness that exits through the front. Definately some kind of ground. I cut everything that was melted.

What scares me about it is that someone most likely crossed pissstive and nagative to cause that. Motor seems to run and charge ok.

I really don't think that is it.


What is the Alarm coming form the OMC Throttle/Shifter control box? Is it the VRO Alarm?

 

[SKEETR]

Re: 1988 Evinrude 90 v-4 VRo - Alarm????

Usually the alarm 'horn' is near the control box. If it is not visible otherwise it could be mounted anywhere. Most look like a small plastic speaker. What kind of tone is the alarm making? Constant, pulsing, or delayed pulse.

BTW I would rather see that ground connected somewhere else besides an ignition component.

 

[JasonAych]

Re: 1988 Evinrude 90 v-4 VRo - Alarm????

Constant and it is coming from inside the OMC shifter/throttle control box. Looked beind it and there are only wires.

 

[JasonAych]

Re: 1988 Evinrude 90 v-4 VRo - Alarm????

Thank you by the way. I am currently looking for a manual.

 

[JasonAych]

Re: 1988 Evinrude 90 v-4 VRo - Alarm????

Could it be that not enough water is flowing with the ear muffs and it is getting hot? I have well water that is nothing like city water pressure.

I bought it 2 days ago and took it for a test drive. It was perfectly fine then.

 

[SKEETR]

Re: 1988 Evinrude 90 v-4 VRo - Alarm????

constant indicates an overheat warning. You should check your water pump and t-stats.

 

[JasonAych]

Re: 1988 Evinrude 90 v-4 VRo - Alarm????

not sure you saw my previous message:

Could it be that not enough water is flowing with the ear muffs and it is getting hot? I have well water that is nothing like city water pressure.

I bought it 2 days ago and took it for a test drive. It was perfectly fine then.

 

[SKEETR]

Re: 1988 Evinrude 90 v-4 VRo - Alarm????

Might try running it in a barrel instead of on the muffs.

 

[JasonAych]

Re: 1988 Evinrude 90 v-4 VRo - Alarm????

ok i will do that. Hopefully i didn't hurt anything. i turned it off right away each time the alarm went off.

Thanks!

 

[jonesg]

Re: 1988 Evinrude 90 v-4 VRo - Alarm????

You didn't mention the pee stream, is it pumping water?
when was the water pump changed?

 

[JasonAych]

Re: 1988 Evinrude 90 v-4 VRo - Alarm????

"Pee stream" is decent about 2k rpm up. Kind of a trickle at idle. Took a few minutes to come out at all. This was with the muffs. That was one thing I looked at when it was running in the water (test drive a few days ago). In the water it was a steady stream at idle as well. I really think it is my well water pressure. Especially since I am due to change my inline water filter which also drops the pressure a bit.

The guy I bought it off of only had it 4 months, decided it wasn't what he wanted. He wasn't sure when the impeller was replaced last. He didn't know jack about anything. Didn't know what 2 stroke oil was until I said the stuff in the oil tank and pointed to it. Said "ooohh that. I never had to add any, was full when bought".

BTW, what color is the 2 stroke oil for the Evinrude? If I recall correctly was kind of brownish or even purple tinted?? I was expecting green. Figured it was something special for the VRO system. Wasn't amber like motor oil.

I am going to go stick it in the lake today. If the alarm goes off or the pee stream seems weak I will drop the lower unit (assuming it is the same as most) and replace the impeller and seals over the winter.

 

[SKEETR]

Re: 1988 Evinrude 90 v-4 VRo - Alarm????

I would dump that oil if it looks at all amber. Sometimes the oil tanks can be stained so it is hard to tell until you remove some. Wouldn't hurt to drain it anyways to ensure there is no water at the bottom. Evinrude oil is many colors so it will be hard to tell visually. Make sure you re-prime the oil line if you happen to clean the tank. That entails removing the line at the vro and priming till no air is in the line. air will not pump thru the vro

 

[jonesg]

Re: 1988 Evinrude 90 v-4 VRo - Alarm????

"Pee stream" is decent about 2k rpm up. Kind of a trickle at idle. Took a few minutes to come out at all. This was with the muffs. That was one thing I looked at when it was running in the water (test drive a few days ago). In the water it was a steady stream at idle as well. I really think it is my well water pressure. Especially since I am due to change my inline water filter which also drops the pressure a bit.

The guy I bought it off of only had it 4 months, decided it wasn't what he wanted. He wasn't sure when the impeller was replaced last. He didn't know jack about anything. Didn't know what 2 stroke oil was until I said the stuff in the oil tank and pointed to it. Said "ooohh that. I never had to add any, was full when bought".

BTW, what color is the 2 stroke oil for the Evinrude? If I recall correctly was kind of brownish or even purple tinted?? I was expecting green. Figured it was something special for the VRO system. Wasn't amber like motor oil.

I am going to go stick it in the lake today. If the alarm goes off or the pee stream seems weak I will drop the lower unit (assuming it is the same as most) and replace the impeller and seals over the winter.

sounds like a plan, it will probably be fine when in the lake.
mine runs for crap on a hose but like a clock in the ocean,
runs all day without a miss.
season is about done anyway.

 

[JasonAych]

Re: 1988 Evinrude 90 v-4 VRo - Alarm????

That was it. Was fine on the lake. Thing runs like a top. I was very impressed. I will be treating it to a couple shots of sea foam

Good lesson learned. Well water sucks for running boats in the driveway!

I will be buying a heavy plastic 55 gallon drum and using it instead of the muffs. Some guy not far from me sells them. Seems like a wise $10 to spend.

Found me a service manual. Life is good!

 

[jonesg]

Re: 1988 Evinrude 90 v-4 VRo - Alarm????

Measure the drum first, mine won't fit anything I try, it would fit in the jacuzi but ....people just don't understand.