What is the buzzer for on the ignition?

[geardownthreegreens]

All my boats have had this buzzer fitted on start up then turns off,but i'm pretty sure all boats do. What it is please?

My problem with my Rinker 212,is that this buzzer stays on all the time the ignition is on. Any ideas why anyone /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
We have put some tape around it to quieten it down but surely it was never intended to stay on.
Should i just cut the wire /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[jimg]

It will an alarm, for......? Could be low oil pressure, temp, etc, Usually the appropriate alarm will be lit as well.

 

[Nick_H]

the buzzer usually comes on when the bilge pump runs, and on some boats also an engine overheat alarm. They sometimes sound briefly on first starting as a check that they're still working. It shouldn't continue to run all the time, so its probably an electrical fault.

 

[geardownthreegreens]

Hmmm, both the oil and temp gauge were showing fine,although the right hand manifold(as looking at it from inside) was running slightly cooler but that wouldn't explain it from a cold start, and she has plenty of clean oil. Strange this /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

 

[AIDY]

have you touched your alternator ? maybe knocked a wire in the engine bay nd not charging your batt's you should have some light on that shows the fault

 

[geardownthreegreens]

Thanks Houghn. Hmmm, yes, we were kind of thinking that. I've just replaced the thermostat and gasket but its still doing it. Its stumped us i can tell you.
Thanks anyway

 

[itsonlymoney]

As stated it will alarm for various reasons including oil pressure, temp but also I think it can alarm for low drive fluid, may be woth checking.

 

[geardownthreegreens]

I'd like to get down to her this weekend and i'll check all the wires i can see. I'm pretty sure we've not touched anything and the volt gauge on the dash shows charging.
The only lights on the dash are attached to switches so no warning lights unfortunately. I will check over her again tho just to make sure. Thanks for your input.

 

[geardownthreegreens]

Ah, now there's a point, thankyou for that. My previous post was my gimbal which has a slight grumble we think, and i have no idea when the oil was checked last in the leg. I will certainly look. Many thanks.Si

 

[jhr]

I'm with Ian (itsonlymoney) on this one: I'll bet you anything you like it's the oil level in the outdrive. This tends to "shake down" when the oil is changed as part of a leg service, and usually needs topping up at least once. Assuming that you have a Mercruiser of some kind fitted to your boat, the reservoir for the leg oil will be to port somewhere on the engine and there will be two bands on it, one for full, and one for top up level. If it's low, top it up and I bet the alarm will, magically, cease. If it's not a Merc I can't help I'm afraid /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[benjenbav]

I think you'll find the buzzer sounds if the alternator is not charging sufficiently. So if you turn the ignition until just before the engines fire, the buzzer will sound. Also, if the alternator belt is slipping, if you then leave the engine at tickover, the buzzer will sound, as it will if an alternator wire is off etc, as previously mentioned.

 

[itsonlymoney]

James
Pretty sure it will be an Alpha 1 or 2 on a Rinker and as you rightly state the reservoir is easy to locate. I dont think the level has to be that low either for the alarm to sound and could be that the gimbal noise is all related to low oil.
Ian

 

[geardownthreegreens]

Thanks jhr. Yes a merc with an alpha 1 leg. I have to admit, the levels did look fairly good when we serviced the engine,although we never checked the level,just a visual. I will check hopefully at the weekend.
I only pray it will be a simple fix like this. Thankyou very much.

 

[Sneds]

A friend had the same problem and it transpired that some sensor somewhere though the leg was in beach mode, although it wasn't!
Some oil put in some sort of "dash pot" somewhere fixed it!

Sorry for my "non techie" input, but you never know, it may help /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[geardownthreegreens]

Now your talking my language "non techie" /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

I will check everything i can, and i certainly appreciate everyones ideas on this matter.
Cheers guys
Si

 

[Alrob]

I did not think alpha 1 had a remote oil reservoir, ie oil in gearbox housing thro holes in gearbox, this being the case it will not be alarmed.
(could be talking crap tho )
I woudnt run engine in earnest till you get to the bottom of it

 

[MapisM]

[ QUOTE ]
this buzzer stays on all the time the ignition is on

[/ QUOTE ]But it turns off when the engine runs, doesn't it?
If so, it could be just fine, and serving a double purpose:
1) check every time that the buzzer is working (if it doesn't, you know that it wouldn't also if and when necessary - i.e. overheating etc.);
2) warn you immediately whenever the engine turns off itself for whatever reason. Which might sound daft on a small single engine boat, but it isn't on bigger ones, with twin engines, possibly cruising on autopilot.

 

[Alrob]

I assumed buzzer was on when engine was running - perfectly normal to buzz when ignition is tuned on & engine not cranking/starting

 

[MapisM]

Well, re-reading the question, he did say 'All my boats have had this buzzer fitted on start up then turns off'.
You're probably got it right, whilst I didn't. Thanks God, tomorrow is friday...

 

[GandalfLoJ]

The Alpha 1 gen 2 definitely has as I have one. Not sure about the original version though.

Anyway, the buzzer will sound once on key turn to tell you it's working and should not sound again unless there is a problem.