crackling sound from warning horn, and jumpy tachometer?

[rothfm]

I've read similar threads others posted with similar odd noises from the warning horn, bad horns, wiring, grounds etc.....Didnt quite see my whole symptom.

1993 Johnson 115.
Last trip out above 3k, I hear 'Crackling" from the remote warning horn. I know my motor very well. I immediately took head temps. Spot on, at 135. I grounded each, and the horn works loud
and clear. I dont have vro connected at all, and line plugged. No tank or wiring present. I've used the boat alot, never had this happen.

What is wierd is that when the noise starts, the tach starts jumping around. It was always solid. Wierd. I slow down and it mostly goes away, and the tach is solid again. Its like its electrical "noise" coming thu the horn?? If I hit something electrical, like the TNT the noise momentarily stops (or just about).

Thoughts, especially with the Tach jumping....again, mostly above 3k rpm.

Confused.

Thanks

 

[boobie]

Put a voltmeter across the battery when running it and see what kind of voltage you have.

 

[rothfm]

Thanks Boobie, hoping you'd chime in! I will in the am. I monitor the motor closely, but havent had a chance as of yet. Just before that trip, I did check and was 14.5. I will take a reading tommorrow and update.

thanks

 

[emdsapmgr]

Any chance you have a loose electrical connection in the charging side of the ignition? Sounds like an electrical spark. Esp, once the stator starts to really put out at higher rpm's... The tach runs off the charging side of the stator.

 

[rothfm]

Ok, Thanks guys.

14.2 at idle, and up toward 15.0 with some RPM's...thats just looking accross battery. I believe that is good.

I did find one wire issue....At the Starter Solenoid...The large Red at the top lug was tight between the 2 nuts. But the 2 small red wires (one from harness, and 1 from in-line fuse) at that same top lug were very loose.

Thats main power, Wierd how that might affect this symptom. I started on Muffs, but since the issue is only at 3k rpm and higher, I cant really verify if this is the fix or not yet. The tack seemed solid and no "crackling" sound at remote horn up to 2k or so. I Guess I wont be able to tell until I launch and go thru the rpm range.

All other wiring seems fine, no chafs, all tight.....I thought I read a Post By Joe Reeves about moving the Tach to the yellow wires off the stater to isolate a regulator vs tach issue. I'll wait on that till I learn more about that, and I test in the water this weekend.

I have spare motors, and regulators...Is it possible that the regulator is breaking down at higher speeds, causing the tack to jump, and the horn to emit that sound? Verified again, not a Temp switch or vro issue.

Thanks again.

Mark

 

[boobie]

After what you found, take it out and run it and get back to us.

 

[rothfm]

Surely will do, and get back.