Warning Horn test?

[DaPenguin]

Hey Fellas,

1989 Johnson 50 Model J50TLCEC.

Well i got a shop manual in over the weekend and figured i would go thru some things. Well it turns out my warning horn did not work at all. After locating it i removed it and i was getting 12vDC constant on the wires. So i went down to radio shack and got a 12vDC buzzer hooked it up, and as soon as i turn the key on the buzzer comes on. I troubleshot the tan wire and when i dissconnect the oil reservoir tank and the 3 pin connector going to the VRO pump the buzzer finally stops. I connected the oil reservoir tank back up and removed the pickup assembly this is when i got confused on how this contraption works. I sure could use someone who is familier with this to help me out. The manual is pretty vague on the low oil warning signal. Also the 3 pin connector going to VRO pump is signaling horn. Is their any input on this as well.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[DaPenguin]

Re: Warning Horn test?

Well i pulled the VRO pump today and i cant seem to make a difference in the continuity on the contact going to the switch on top of the back section. I metered wires and changed state of switch with no difference on meter. Has anyone ever troubleshot one of these before. any thought or input would be great!!

Thanks, Mike

 

[DaPenguin]

Re: Warning Horn test?

I guess nobody if familier with my situation.

 

[littletunny]

Re: Warning Horn test?

Be patient.

Somebody will be along to help..

 

[DaPenguin]

Re: Warning Horn test?

I got this answer from another site. From searching iboats forums most say any 12vDC buzzer will work. Do i really need a OMC buzzer?


Hello you will need factory horn to complete testing. the original horn has computer logic to operate no oil or low oil signals. when disconnecting wire harness at vro it will only affect horn and will not affect running or fuel and oil pumping. the overheat vro pump and oil tank sensors with tan lead can be disconnected to verify which component is sounding horn.

 

[billybones]

Re: Warning Horn test?

I know nothing of this motor or circuit personally. But just from what you posted it sounds like the overheatVRO circuit is telling you its bad. Not sure what the overheat vro circuit is. VRO is overheated? or switch for it is bad? but the switch is closed and sending out voltage. I know this is obvious. but maybe its that simple. Edit low or no oil would be from the tank and maybe there is a voltage send out that makes a different sound at say 6 volts at low oil and you get a certain beep pattern then at 12 volts you get another. 12 I would say would be the same with the overheat vro... stop the motor your not getting oil at all.. That would be the computerized circuit just a guess though.

 

[seahorse5]

Re: Warning Horn test?

Well i pulled the VRO pump today and i cant seem to make a difference in the continuity on the contact going to the switch on top of the back section. I metered wires and changed state of switch with no difference on meter. Has anyone ever troubleshot one of these before. any thought or input would be great!!

Thanks, Mike

In a nutshell, here is how the warning system works on your particular motor.

With the key ON there is 12 V fed to the horn and out the tan wire. If the motor overheats, the temp switch goes to ground, completing the circuit and sounding the horn.

LOW OIL, a beep every 20-30 seconds. Controlled by a float inside the oil tank that makes contact when the oil level drops. Inside the top of the oil pickup assembly is an electronic circuit that makes the 20-30 second beep. That fails often and can cause constant horn, intermittent horn, or even a warble sound. The erroneous sound will go away when you disconnect the wires at the motor, and just visually check the oil level.

Your old VRO pump with 3 wires,(1992 and later had 4 wires) also has an electronic circuit in it for the rapid pulsing tone for NO OIL. The wires are tan for the alarm, gray for the tach signal, and black for ground.

The electronics inside the VRO and inside the oil tank pickup cannot be tested with a meter.

 

[DaPenguin]

Re: Warning Horn test?

Thanks for sharing your knowledge Seahorse5. It appears i do have a faulty circuit in the oil pickup assembly.


Thanks,Mike