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On the lake yesterday, I had a strange alarm on my 1987 Evinrude 225 (TXCUB) on my 1984 Outrage 22. The alarm first occurred when I shut off the engine after running a bit. A single prolonged alarm that sounded after the key was shut off. From my understanding of the alarm codes, a single prolonged alarm indicates an overheated motor or a fuel restriction. The motor wasn’t running, so I doubt fuel restriction. The motor was not overheated according to the gauge (and I checked the block, it was warm to the touch, not hot).
I could only get the alarm to shut off by switching off the main electrical breaker. Reset and all was normal. Later in day it happened again when shutting off the motor. Reset breaker again and fished a while. After turning the key when finished, I got the normal “chirp” when turning key on, but nothing happened. No cranking at all. Checked voltage and all was good. Pressed key in. Primer working fine. Pulled cowling and had friend jump the starter solenoid and engine tried to crank. Got it started and headed in. Alarm sounded again briefly at the dock before loading, while idling, and then shut off by itself.
I think perhaps I have a bad ground in the electrical, or the solenoid shorted something. But I don’t want to ignore the warning horn either. Not sure if I will be able to troubleshoot before putting boat away, but wanted to look for ideas for when I get a chance to examine. Thanks.
Is your VRO still hooked up?
It also sounds like you have the newer horn with the black ground wire which gives you that chirp when you turn the key ON.
Horns do go bad.
I had something similar and replacing the horn fixed my problem.
When was the last time this horn has been replaced?
Thank you Phil and Joe. When I get a chance I will check all grounds, replace the starter solenoid, and test the horn. From the article Joe linked, it seems quite possible it's a grounding problem, or perhaps the horn itself. Yes, VRO hooked up. Hadn't considered the horn might be bad, duh. Horn was replaced about 10 years ago. Seems like yesterday...
