Mercury low oil warning

[rowdyredneck]

About a month ago I had my boat out and the low oil warning started beeping even though the reservoir was full of oil, so I just disconnected the wires so I could still use it until I got a new switch. The new switch arrived the other day (genuine Quick Silver part) and I installed it, but it still beeps. I'm not sure how this sensor is designed to read; I expected it to be submerged in oil but it isn't. I drained the oil out of the reservoir and found a small amount of water in it, but I can't see inside where the sensor mounts. Its a '96 Mercury 60 horsepower.

What could cause the sensor to give a false reading like this? One other thing I was wondering, I disconnected the line from the bottom of the tank but left it attached to the oil pump. There is a small amount of air in the line at the reservoir end where I unhooked it..will this rise back up through the reservoir or do I need to bleed the system somehow?

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Mercury low oil warning

Year and size of motor?

 

[rowdyredneck]

Re: Mercury low oil warning

'96 Mercury 60 horsepower three cylinder two stroke, serial number OG269445

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Mercury low oil warning

Disconnect the 2 blue wires going to the oil tank then try it again. If you still get a low oil warning you have a bad alarm module. Failure rate on them is kinda high according to my parts man.

 

[rowdyredneck]

Re: Mercury low oil warning

Thanks..it stops beeping with the wires unplugged so that must be the problem. What does the switch read from though, since its not actually in contact with the oil? I can't see inside the reservoir, is there some kind of magnetic float?

Also, does the module do anything other than signal low oil in the reservoir? I just priced it at $83, not sure if its worth that much to me since I always check the oil level before I go out with it anyway.

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Mercury low oil warning

All the module does on that motor is provides a steady beep for overheating and an intermittant beep for low oil. If it stops beeping with the wires unplugged then the problem is with the low oil switch in the tank. I believe (not too sure about this) that the tank has to be replaced.

 

[joed]

Re: Mercury low oil warning

I heard this once and it could be same problem you have.
The foam float has a chunk of metal fastened to the bottom. The metal is what triggers sensor. The metal had come detached from the float and while the float was going up and down the metal layed on the bottom of the tank triggering the low oil.
I believe the only fix was a new tank as the float was not removable without cutting open the tank. It was diagnosed by removing the tank and turning it upside down. The sensor stopped beeping when upside down.

 

[marty53]

Re: Mercury low oil warning

Rowdy-

The oil module isn't your problem it's the sensor in the tank. As others said, the tank needs to be replaced. Or you can unhook it. But then when your oil pump fails you are in deep shiath. Its work the $100 or whatever it costs.

 

[rowdyredneck]

Re: Mercury low oil warning

Rowdy-

The oil module isn't your problem it's the sensor in the tank. As others said, the tank needs to be replaced. Or you can unhook it. But then when your oil pump fails you are in deep shiath. Its work the $100 or whatever it costs.

Thanks, looks like I'll have to order a new tank. But if the pump fails, will the alarm sound? I thought the alarm was only to alert when the oil gets low in the reservoir, not if the pump fails?

 

[ghost69_98]

Re: Mercury low oil warning

Yea, I believe what he is telling you is that you would loose your only fail safe.

Thanks, looks like I'll have to order a new tank. But if the pump fails, will the alarm sound? I thought the alarm was only to alert when the oil gets low in the reservoir, not if the pump fails?