1985 Evinrude 40hp VRO Continuous Alarm

[Evinrude40]

I have a 1985 Evinrude 40hp with VRO. Today while trolling the alarm unit on the controls was making a very weak buzzing sound (not the normal alarm). Later on today while cruising, the alarm started to go off (the normal very loud ear peircing sound). It was still peeing water really good and fortunately I was only about 50 yards from the boat ramp, so I stopped and loaded up. Once I got home, I checked to see if it overheated by melting that plastic plug on the block. It looked OK, so I don't think I was overheating. Now, when I turn the key to the "on" position (not cranking the engine) the alarm still sounds very loudly and continuously (not beeping) without the engine even running. Where do I go from here?

ANY help would be appreciated.

 

[ob]

Re: 1985 Evinrude 40hp VRO Continuous Alarm

Disconnect the tan lead from the temp sensor located just above and to the left of the top cylinder as viewed from the rear of the engine and with the key 'on' see if that silences your alarm.If so,I suspect your temp sensor is defective.If it doesn't silence the alarm,it may be the horn itself that is defective.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1985 Evinrude 40hp VRO Continuous Alarm

isn't the constant alarm also a oil warning, from the VRO?

 

[bgbass.1]

Re: 1985 Evinrude 40hp VRO Continuous Alarm

check your vro to make sure its working

 

[Evinrude40]

Re: 1985 Evinrude 40hp VRO Continuous Alarm

I will check the temp wire tonight. How to I check the VRO to ensure that it is working properly or does not have an air bubble in it?
Thanks, you guys are awesome!

 

[Evinrude40]

Re: 1985 Evinrude 40hp VRO Continuous Alarm

Tonight I snipped the tan wire coming off the temp sensor and it did not stop the alarm from going off. I then spliced it back together.

I guess my next step in the diagnosis is the VRO. I am curious to know how the VRO sensor works. I know that there is an intermittant alarm for low oil reservoir and a continuous alarm (what I have) for stopped/no flow. So my question is why would the alarm go if the engine is not even running? How could it know there is no flow if it is not trying to draw any oil?

Any suggestions on how to check the operation of the VRO to make sure it is still working? What wires would I disconnect to see if that sensor is the culprit?

THANK YOU VERY MUCH for your help!!

 

[HighTrim]

Re: 1985 Evinrude 40hp VRO Continuous Alarm

This is very good reading for VRO info. Good luck.

"http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/VRO.html"

 

[dajohnson53]

Re: 1985 Evinrude 40hp VRO Continuous Alarm

Tonight I snipped the tan wire coming off the temp sensor and it did not stop the alarm from going off. I then spliced it back together.

I guess my next step in the diagnosis is the VRO. I am curious to know how the VRO sensor works. I know that there is an intermittant alarm for low oil reservoir and a continuous alarm (what I have) for stopped/no flow. So my question is why would the alarm go if the engine is not even running? How could it know there is no flow if it is not trying to draw any oil?

Any suggestions on how to check the operation of the VRO to make sure it is still working? What wires would I disconnect to see if that sensor is the culprit?

THANK YOU VERY MUCH for your help!!

A constant alarm is not an oiling problem, it is either fuel restriction or overheat. Fuel restriction could be a fuel pump problem, but could also be many other sources.

There are 4 alarm tones, two constant and two intermittent:
Intermittent rapid short tones - No Oil (sensor in oil portion of oil pump)
Intermittent tones, approx 40 seconds apart - Low Oil (sensor in oil tank)
Constant tone at high rpms - fuel restriction - sensor near (but not in) oil pump)
Constant tone at all rpms - overheat

The test beep is a short chirp when you turn the key on.

To test the VRO for oil mixing, the simplest way is to mark the oil tank with known quantities of oil, then run the engine and see if the oil is being used in correct portion to the gas. It's recommended that you use premix while doing this. As to troubleshooting your issue:

It could be over heat - although if it buzzes when the key is on without running, probably not
it could be fuel restriction (although it doesn't sound like that since it sounds while trolling and when key is on but engine off).
It could be overheat or fuel restriction sensor malfunction
it could be buzzer malfunction.

If it was me, I'd trouble shoot the two sensors and the buzzer itself.

 

[Evinrude40]

Re: 1985 Evinrude 40hp VRO Continuous Alarm

Wow, you guys are a wealth of knowledge!! Since the alarm is going off under the following conditions:

1. Continuously (not intermittant)
2. On a cold engine
3. While with key on, but not running
4. While with the tan temp sensor wire snipped

Then, that eliminates me needing to check for a VRO or fuel restriction problem...

...AND...

Since it was making a pathetically weak buzzing sound earlier in the day (not actually going off at full annoying decibles)...

Then I have to think it is the horn itself shorting. I assume I can check for this by taking the controls apart? Any guidance as to what to look for or will it be obvious?

Thanks again you guys!!

 

[dajohnson53]

Re: 1985 Evinrude 40hp VRO Continuous Alarm

Wow, you guys are a wealth of knowledge!! Since the alarm is going off under the following conditions:

1. Continuously (not intermittant)
2. On a cold engine
3. While with key on, but not running
4. While with the tan temp sensor wire snipped

Then, that eliminates me needing to check for a VRO or fuel restriction problem...

...AND...

Since it was making a pathetically weak buzzing sound earlier in the day (not actually going off at full annoying decibles)...

Then I have to think it is the horn itself shorting. I assume I can check for this by taking the controls apart? Any guidance as to what to look for or will it be obvious?

Thanks again you guys!!

I just realized that my post above about the types of alarms might not be accurate for your '85. Mine's a '90. I understand that there were some changes in the alarms and VRO pumps during those years, so I don't know if yours would be the same as mine. I'm not talking about the change to "systemcheck" gauge ('95 or '96), but the changes in the buzzer alarms pre-systemcheck.

Do you have an owner's manual or shop manual that might tell you what to expect with your system, alarm-wise?

Sorry if I've confused the issue.

 

[ob]

Re: 1985 Evinrude 40hp VRO Continuous Alarm

I'm guessing you'll be on the right track inspecting the alarm itself.Just for reference ,your 85' model did not have the fuel restriction constant alarm feature.It has three.Constant for overheat,rapid short tones for no oil flow from the vro,and every 20 sec tone for low oil in reservoir.For testing the alarm before operation there should be a small slot under the fast idle lever for a key or similar metal tool to be inserted while key is in the 'on' position.This completes the horn circuit for an audible test.

 

[Evinrude40]

Re: 1985 Evinrude 40hp VRO Continuous Alarm

I started to work on this and now I am confused. I clipped the tan lead coming off what I think is the temp sensor (see picture). Like an idiot, I clipped it before realizing there was a disconnector under a rubber sleeve. Anyhow, when I turn the ignition key, the alarm goes off continuously (without even engaging the starter). Does this mean that the temp sensor is still good and I have a wire short somewhere between the sensor and the ignition key switch?

If it is not a short, then how could power be getting to the alarm horn? Or is the alarm horn always under keyed power and actually goes off based on internal electronics and some signal from the sensor (versus, the sensor just acting like a switch)?

Is there more than one temp sensor on this motor (2 cylinder) that I am not seeing?

Thanks again!!

 

[ob]

Re: 1985 Evinrude 40hp VRO Continuous Alarm

Your engine just has the one temp sensor.The sensors of your engines alarm circuit make and break to ground which completes the circuit for audible alarm.No need to engage key to starter position.Just turning the key to the 'on' position energizes the positive lead of the alarm circuit.Of course without the ground lead of the circuit completed the alarm will not sound.This is what we are trying to determine.What exactly is completing the ground circuit that is sounding the continual alarm.Many times the ground fault is within the horn itself.other times it could be in the alarm module which distinguishes the source of the sensor and initiates the according alarm mode,be it rapid short tones,continual,or one tone every 20 seconds.If the continual alarm will sound with the key in the 'on' position while the tan lead pictured is disconnected ,your problem is not the temp sensor but one of the previously mentioned sources.

 

[Evinrude40]

Re: 1985 Evinrude 40hp VRO Continuous Alarm

I just took a look at the horn itself inside the controls. It has a tan wire (temp sensor?), two purple wires, and a black wire attached to a frame screw (which is obviously the ground). If I remove this horn, is there any way to test it or should I just buy a new one and replace it in hopes that it is the culprit? I guess I sort of talked myself out of replacing the horn earlier since it still goes off...and loudly, as my poor ears can attest to!
Thanks!

 

[ob]

Re: 1985 Evinrude 40hp VRO Continuous Alarm

I'm assuming that the horn is still sounding with the tan temp sensor lead disconnected.If this is true ,then before condemning the horn ,try disconnecting one of the oil reservoir leads and see if it silences the alarm with the key in the 'on' position of course.If memory serves me correct the black is indeed ground,purple is keyed 12 volt source from ignition switch,the other purple must lead to other accessories as keyed 12 volt source ,and the tan lead originates from the alarm module.Only an engine wiring diagram can confirm.

 

[ob]

Re: 1985 Evinrude 40hp VRO Continuous Alarm

And the problem was??

 

[Evinrude40]

Re: 1985 Evinrude 40hp VRO Continuous Alarm

Hi guys,
I finally got my replacement horn assembly in the mail today. I quickly hooked up the leads and I am now back in business. For anybody else out there, here is a recap of the problem, diagnosis, and solution...

1. Horn started making a very weak random noise, then one day it just started going off continuously.
2. According to the books, that signals that the overheat sensor is activated. Upon visual inspection, this sensor housing on the block was not melted. When the TAN wire is unplugged from the horn, the horn still went off continuously when the key was turned to the "on" position. This suggested that it was either a faulty horn assembly or a VRO alarm that should be going off intermittantly, but is not (which apparently happens sometimes). I unplugged the wires from the oil reservior and the alarm still went off. This said that it had to be the horn itself.
3. Ordered the horn for $62 from ishopmarine.com - superb service by the way! - and problem fixed.

Now I am on to replacing the impeller since I ordered that along with the horn.

Thanks again everybody - this is hands down THE BEST RESOURCE for boating questions and answers!! You should be very proud of yourselves.

 

[rndn]

Re: 1985 Evinrude 40hp VRO Continuous Alarm

You should really solder the wire that you cut and then spliced.

 

[kjdunne]

Re: 1985 Evinrude 40hp VRO Continuous Alarm

And use adhesive (mastic) type heat shrink tubing over solderd splice.