Speedster w/ 240 EFi has a flickering Low Oil LED as the RPMs and run time increases

[BertRipper]

I have a 2000 Seadoo Speedster w/ 240 EFI. Starting last year the oil LED alarm light started flickering, to almost steady at mid to WOT. By dropping back to Idle it would go off and then start again as I accelerate. Last year I thought it was the Oil level float. I changed that and I thought that fixed it, however this year it has continued.

While running the engine on a hose I can get it to start flickering after 5 minutes or so. While testing I tried disconnecting the oil float and both overheat sensors on the top of both cylinder heads. I also disconnected the wire to the water separator. Alarm light still had the same flickering response on the hose and on the lake.

By testing (Grounding) the various sensors I get all the correct warning buzzer sounds, including a nice bright LED on the Fuel gauge when I test the Oil level sensor. After thinking that the Oil level sensor was just slightly causing the issue I temporarily rigged the oil level float to always stay up, however the same flicker of the LED started after 5 minutes on a hose.

I think I have isolated the short or issue to be at the motor and not in the helm wiring. To do this I disconnected the tan/blu wire just before it went towards the helm and that kept the LED from flickering. It seems to be something at the engine with the wiring or modules causing the flicker.

Any help or direction on what to try or replace would be greatly appreciated!

 

[gioakjoe]

change out the fuel separator filter this light actually means more then just low oil depending on the beeps it gives you it could be something else this light is actually a check engine light.

 

[BertRipper]

I already changed that out this spring during normal maintenance. Im able to test the low oil, water separator, and overheat sensors while the boat is running, which results in accurate buzzer sounds. Out if those three, only the low oil causes a buzzer and light. The others only ring the buzzer. I just tested the voltage regulators and they both show good consistent voltage in the 13.8 range.

This is a 2000 seafood boat, and I'm not sure the light is supposed to be for anything more than oil, but I'm not absolutely sure on that!

 

[Dr Honda]

Sorry for the slow response... but I was on vacation for a few days with my kids. (Great Wolf in Sandusky)

Anyway....

As you may have noticed... the "Oil Light" really isn't an oil light. It's a generic warning light. It was a miscommunication between Merc and seadoo. It should have been a "Bell" icon.

First... don't run it on the hose for too long. The problem is... most of that water will go out the pickup hose... and very little water will get to the top of the engine. (and you can over heat) So... unless you have enough volume on your garden hose to see water come out of the "Pee Hole"... keep the running on the trailer to a minimum.

When you changed the water sender... did you replace your fuel filter too? If it's wet inside (water) it's hard to get it all out, and it may start tripping that buzzer.

BUT... since the buzzer is a little more random... I would be suspect of a short/ground somewhere. The actual warnings are very distinct. Either a timed sound, with a pause, or a steady sound. The senders go though a control box, and it sets the alarm. SO... it's not like you can get a sender that is on the verge of tripping, and make the sound you are talking about. (the box will prevent it)


BUT... if you know there is oil in the header tank... I would grab an IR temp gun, and go for a ride. When you hear the buzzer, go back to the engine, and see how hot the block and heads are.

 

[BertRipper]

Thanks for the reply.
I took the boat to my test lake today and learned a few more clues. Once again it took about 4-5 minutes to get the light to start flickering. Out if suspitcion I temporarily mounted my engine buzzer in the dash pointing directly at me outside of the box. As soon as the light began to flicker the buzzer also began to do a very faint chirp. Clearly different and quieter than the overheat buzzer. Now as this was happening I also popped the trunk and shot the engine all over with a temp gun. Nothing measured over 140, even right next to the spark plugs. I also tried unplugging both the port and starboard overheat sensors (one at a time) and neither changed the faint buzzer and light.

Last night, on the hose I also tested the voltage from both regulators and they never got above 14v at 2000rpm. Yes, I'm done testing on a hose as it gets hot too quickly...

I just today decided to order the ignition control module as a recommendation from my other post. Do you think this is a good thing to try. I'M hoping this module is the magic fix!!

 

[Dr Honda]

14v running is fine. I think the spec is 13.8 to 14.2 v.

Is the engine running ok, other than the random buzzing? If it is... then why replace any ignition parts?? Very rarely, the warning unit will go bad. And, since it's mounted to the engine... heat and vibration can cause issues. (little box under the ECU)

 

[BertRipper]

Can you point me to the "warning Unit" I was under the understanding that the Ignition Control Module was the unit that sent the warning alarms and such. Thanks

 

[BertRipper]

Yes, the Engine is running fine, I little rough on a slow idle, but not that bad, and always fine when the light is flickering at higher RPMs.

 

[Dr Honda]

I don't think I have a picture handy of the unit... but if you look below your ECU you will see it.

 

[Dr Honda]

#17 in the link below....

http://www.boats.net/parts/search/M...lectrical Components(ECU Assembly)/parts.html

 

[BertRipper]

Isn't that part only for the water sensor?

 

[Dr Honda]

Sort of... it's another bad labeled part. the oil, and water through it. If you check the wiring... the starboard side temp sender is tapped into the wire going to the ignition unit... and it's tied into the "Water Sense Module".

Regardless... they do go bad once in a while.


BUT... on that note... since it's a random chirp... have you checked the starboard temp sender for proper function? It's not a common thing to go bad... but since it takes a while... maybe it's shorted internally.

 

[BertRipper]

I have disconnected the water separator sensor connection, both heat sensors and oil float sensor all while driving the boat and with them all disconnected the light still flickered.

 

[BertRipper]

I have also individually grounded each sensor and received the correct audio buzzer and the bright oil light with the oil float grounded.

 

[Dr Honda]

I have disconnected the water separator sensor connection, both heat sensors and oil float sensor all while driving the boat and with them all disconnected the light still flickered.

Well.... then the next thing to try, is to unplug the water sense unit, and go for a ride.

If it still chirps... then.... welllllll............................. I'll have to dig deeper. (LOL) I think there is a logic unit in your fuse block, but I have to double check.


Oh.......... have you checked the voltage while running? If you have a bad regulator, and the voltage is going high... that could cause issues.

 

[BertRipper]

Yes, that 14v you commented on earlier was while running.

 

[Dr Honda]

Yes, that 14v you commented on earlier was while running.

LOL... DUH.

Sorry... I read so may threads, I forget the details sometimes.

 

[BertRipper]

I will try completely disconnecting the Water sense module while running. Previously I had only disconnected the single wire going to the filter.

If I suspect that we might be getting back feed voltage from the grounds at the gauge itself, can I take them directly to the battery from the gauge? Do you know for sure which wires should be direct grounds on the fuel/oil gauge?