Alarm sound stays on and wiring issue

Gerhard Peters

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Aug 13, 2019
Messages
90
I have my 4.3 rebuild engine back in the boat (as per previous post with other issues) and running. I bought the boat with a none winterized cracked block engine that was seized up. So I don't know about any of the other conditions prior to me buying the boat because I never had it running

When I turn on the ignition switch I hear the alarm sound and the starter will not engage when I turn the ignition switch to start the engine. It is not the relay solenoid nor the starter solenoid. The starter solenoid was seized up but I replaced that with a new one while I had the engine out. I can start the engine by jumping the terminals at the relay solenoid.

I did a test for continuity on the yellow/red wire going from the ignition switch to the relay solenoid. There is no continuity so it is some kind of wiring issue. So far I have not found any other wiring issues.

Two questions:
1 - Now when I turn on the ignition and jump-start the engine at the relay the alarm stays on continually (even when I just have the ignition on). Why is that? What is the purpose of the alarm?
2- I have briefly spent some time under the dash looking at the wiring but have not taken anything apart. Where should I start if I have no continuity in the yellow/red wire?
 

alldodge

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Mar 8, 2009
Messages
42,537
Could use a motor serial number, don't even know the year, efi, mpi, carb?

1 - Now when I turn on the ignition and jump-start the engine at the relay the alarm stays on continually (even when I just have the ignition on). Why is that? What is the purpose of the alarm?

With the motor not running the oil pressure switch sounds the alarm. Once started it would shut off

Does the alarm stop when the motor starts?

2- I have briefly spent some time under the dash looking at the wiring but have not taken anything apart. Where should I start if I have no continuity in the yellow/red wire?

Check the neutral safety switch inside the throttle control

Start Circuit Merc.jpg
 

Bondo

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 17, 2002
Messages
71,079
Could use a motor serial number, don't even know the year, efi, mpi, carb?

Ayuh,..... If this is a Non-electronic motor, there's 3 alarm switches,.....

Over heat, in the t-stat housin',.....
Low o/p, probably down low aft, portside of the motor,....
'n the drive oil level in the plastic bottle,.....

Unplug each one, when the alarm stops, ya found the one triggerin' the alarm,....
 

Gerhard Peters

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Aug 13, 2019
Messages
90
1995
engine serial number is F287471

Ok, I think I know why. I still have the sterndrive off the boat and the shifter is in the forward position since I removed the sterndrive. Once back in neutral it will start. Problem solved!.

As per my other post, I'm still working on installing the sterndrive.

Regarding the alarm, it stays on and I know that I have oil pressure. But I have no oil in the plastic bottle for the sterndrive. Another problem solved!!

Thank you for the help
 

Bondo

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 17, 2002
Messages
71,079
Ok, I think I know why. I still have the sterndrive off the boat and the shifter is in the forward position since I removed the sterndrive. Once back in neutral it will start. Problem solved!.

Ayuh,..... You can shift it to neutral to work on the motor,.....

Just remember to put it back in forward, before ya remount the drive,.....
 
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