Ignition alarm

[ctcranor]

I found an old post on this but with no resolve and I will give Bill at WWS a call tomorrow but just curious if anyone else has had this.

The ignition alarm (the high pitched noise that comes on when you turn your key over but before you start your engine) came on under 2 separate conditions yesterday. One when we were power turning back and forth at about 25 miles per hour (guilty…..sorry, the kids love it!). The second time when I opened it up WOT and settled it in at around 43 mph.

All gauges were normal, AccuSet was not on nor any auxiliary items. Turned off the engine and turned back on both time and no alarms….?????? We were wakeboarding earlier without any issues….anyone have any ideas?

[R&T Babich]

There are all kinds of things being monitored by the engine's computer these days. Sounds like a low fluid level or low pressure issue. Are the engine oil, trans fluid and gearbox oil levels all full? There may be a fuel pressure sensor in there, too. If you can find a list of all the error codes for your engine you can see what all is being monitored that could trigger the alarm. There may be an error code saved in the computer, too.

[hoopykat]

Isn't there an alarm when the oil pressure drops too low...maybe you need to add some oil...all the drastic turns and the pitch at a higher speed sloshes the oil away from the intake. Just a thought....

-Mike

[dogbert]

What engine do you have? That would help us a bit because then we can relay what we've experienced with a particular engine.

[lee]

Maybe low water pressure. When did you change your impeller last?

[ctcranor]

ignition alarm

I have the GM Vortec 5.7. I think I've seen a PM tag on it??

Initially I thought it was oil also but that checked out fine. This is the start of the 3rd year (60 hours) on the impeller-water tempature is normal there (wouldn't that relate to a bad impeller?). Trans level is fine. Where is the gear box fluid?

I'll get it in today for and have it checked out. I was hoping it was going to be one of those easy questions but knew I wouldn't be that lucky! I'll let you all know what I find out.

[dogbert]

You can rule out the impeller issue by feeling the exhaust manifolds. The should not be hot. If they are, you have cooling issues most likely caused by the impeller failing. The bad part about the impeller failing is that it will literally disintegrate and pieces of the vanes will flow into your engine cooling system. This can create areas of blockage and you'll need to flush them out or risk further problems.

[lee]

Still could be impeller with the manifolds being cool, notice I said water pressure causing the alarm not the temperature.

[R&T Babich]

... water pressure causing the alarm not the temperature.

Lee, Do you know approx. how much water pressure there would be?
It would probably not be more than a car engine radiator cap (17 psi).
My engine has a fuel pressure sensor and I added a fuel pressure gauge on the fuel rail.
I don't have a water pressure sensor, so I'm thinking of adding a water pressure gauge.

[ctcranor]

Over the phone Bill at WWS thought is sounded like the knock sensor or wire connecting to the knock sensor. The conditions triggering the alarm along with the alarm clearing after shut down and restart made him fairly certain this would be my problem. Taking it in the afternoon to have it looked over. I will keep you posted.

[illiniboarder88]

sorry to hijack, but what temp should that motor be running at?

[da.bell]

mine runs at 150 degrees

[lightning59]

2000 merc 315 hp, 160 give or take

[ctcranor]

I've seen mine touch 170 once but usually hoovers around 150-160.

[hubdawg]

Knock sensor

I have the same motor in my 2004 22i and forgot to hook up the blue wire after de-winterizing and had the exact same isssues. I did have a chunked up impeller though and had to clean the pieces of impeller out of my filters with a piece of coat hanger. After that it ran fine and the family didn't freak out on the buzzer noise.