The C-Brats Forum Index
HomeForumsMy TopicsCalendarEvent SignupsMemberlistOur C-DorysThe Brat MapPhotos

E-Tec Warning Horn Stays On At Very Low Volume

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    The C-Brats Forum Index -> Outboards and Systems
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
PNW_Wesley



Joined: 28 Nov 2019
Posts: 97
City/Region: Vancouver
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2003
C-Dory Model: 19 Angler
Vessel Name: Zenith
Photos: Zenith
PostPosted: Mon Jan 27, 2020 4:29 pm    Post subject: E-Tec Warning Horn Stays On At Very Low Volume Reply with quote

Zenith has a 2014 E-Tec 90.

During the last 30 minutes of our recent cruise, the engine warning horn came on, but at a very low volume. None of the warning lights in the tach were lit, and the engine ran fine, as it always does.

Today, I went to where the boat is stored to do some preliminary testing.

During the engine monitor self-test, which occurs when turning the ignition key from off to on, the horn beeps for 0.5 second at full volume, all 4 warning lights come on and then go off one by one. This is the exact response that the Operator’s Guide describes.

When self-test completes, the horn remains on at very low volume.

From the “SystemCheck MWS Harness Connections” diagram, it appears as if the horn driver circuitry resides in the engine computer.

The fact that the self-test passes tells me that the horn driver circuitry is capable of driving the horn at the correct volume, with the correct amount of current flowing through the horn.

I have not yet pulled any connectors or made voltage/continuity checks, as I do not have a diagram which shows the actual pinouts and signal names in the harness.

Since the horn stays on at low volume, it seems there is a fault in the horn driver circuitry which allows a very low amount of current to flow through the horn when there should be zero current.

Has anyone else encountered this exact condition?

_________________
Wesley and Karen

Prior water toys:
15' Smoker Craft
14' SOAR Inflatable Kayak
18' Sea Ray
28' Bayliner
19' Smoker Craft
16' Duracraft
14' Starcraft
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
DavidM



Joined: 24 Dec 2017
Posts: 196
City/Region: Punta Gorda
State or Province: FL
C-Dory Year: 2006
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
PostPosted: Mon Jan 27, 2020 7:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

If this were an older mechanical/electric engine rather than a mechanical/electrical/electronic engine I would have bet good money that one of the engine sensor contacts: temp, oil pressure, etc. were not opening fully leaving a small amount of current flowing. That current is enough to create a little noise in the alarm.

Now today, I don't know. May be the same but I kind of doubt it. Maybe the alarm is triggered the same way but the engine's response to the alarm is entirely controlled by the electronics and it isn't enough to do anything.

So the first step in trouble shooting is the same: tap the sensors if you can find them and see if the alarm noise goes away.

David
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
jkswor



Joined: 23 Jun 2011
Posts: 148
City/Region: tok
State or Province: AK
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Missy marie
PostPosted: Tue Jan 28, 2020 10:23 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Go to barnical Bill etec forum. And post your problem. There are many experts to help you
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
jkswor



Joined: 23 Jun 2011
Posts: 148
City/Region: tok
State or Province: AK
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Missy marie
PostPosted: Tue Jan 28, 2020 10:24 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Etecownersgroup.com
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
PNW_Wesley



Joined: 28 Nov 2019
Posts: 97
City/Region: Vancouver
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2003
C-Dory Model: 19 Angler
Vessel Name: Zenith
Photos: Zenith
PostPosted: Tue Jan 28, 2020 8:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for the quick replies. Someone on the etec forum has the same problem.

I went out to the boat today, and here’s what I found.

The horn is powered and engaged by the tach.

The 2 wires from the horn go to the 8-pin connector on the tach. The purple wire is +12VDC. The tan wire is a low-side driver.

There is about 20 milliamps flowing through the horn when there should be zero.

Looks like a new tach is in my future.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    The C-Brats Forum Index -> Outboards and Systems All times are GMT - 5 Hours
Page 1 of 1

 
     Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You cannot download files in this forum



Page generation time: 0.0892s (PHP: 84% - SQL: 16%) - SQL queries: 23 - GZIP disabled - Debug on