2003 Honda 200HP overheat warning

[Jack in Alaska]

My 2003 200hp Honda has tripped the overheat buzzer/light after a 5 mile run in saltwater then idle it back while I throw out the anchor. It starts buzzing after I leave the controls while setting the anchor. THe peehole is still squirting strongly throughout the incident and killing the engine and immediately restarting solves the problem. THe buzzer/light is on the throttle control.

This has happened the last two times out.

Any ideas. I believe it is a electrical/sensor problem and not really overheating. Where to look???

[Albie Back]

For my problem, It took me a few trips to figure out it was the sensor. The alarm would sound off and the Honda90 wouldnt get more than 1200 rpms before shutting down. I went through the motions of changing the impeller, t-stat, relief valve, and all that stuff but the alarm would still sound off after a few hours run.

During a fishing trip, the alarm went off again. I had already replaced a lot of the components and did a tune up so I down to the sensor or something internal. I removed the sensor and iced it down for a few mins. Reinstalled the sensor and ran back to port with the motor cowling off. No alarm. The following week, I replaced the sensor and no more alarms for the past 2 seasons.

Good Luck with your gremblin.

[Jack in Alaska]

Like they say in football.."upon further review".........

Today the motor did the red light/steady buzzer thing again.

The red light is on the "check" light and the buzzer is steady.

Oil pressure is green; No over temp./peehole peeing; Alt. charging; engine runs fine

What makes the check light and buzzer go off ????

It just started doing this this past week. ???????

[Captains Cat]

On my Suzukis it's a reminder at 100 hrs to change your oil.

[Jack in Alaska]

Someone told me the other day that they thought there was a warning buzzer/light if the rpm dropped below a certain level. That may be it as it only happens when throttled back to idle from a long run.

[Jack in Alaska]

After consulting with the Honda repair mgr. in Anchorage and the one in Soldotna both suggested that it could be water in the water separator bowl which has an electronic warning. I took that apart today. No water in the bowl.
They also suggested that there may be one or both thermostats bad. They have to be in a certain range and be close to the same or they will make the buzzer go off.
Today I installed 2 new ($70) thermostats. The one (port side) was pretty well buggered up so maybe that is it. I ran the engine after and no buzzer yet. No leaks either.
Changing the therm. is not a big job but you need to be on a step ladder to get up on top of that big engine.

[Jack in Alaska]

Finally got out again to check on the motor repair. It still buzzes and red check light comes on..damn now what to do??

[Jack in Alaska]

The problem, after taking it to the Honda dealer and hooking it up to his magic box, was the oxygen sensor. He replaced it and it is fixed................yeehaa.

They told me it was a recall/warranty but I was a year late on coming in for the fix so had to pay $303. But it is fixed.

[Oly]

My O2 sensor also died but fortunately while still under warranty. It appears they made crappy sensors for a few years and they know it. I recommend writing (snail mail) a letter, ideally certified since it may get their attention better, to the company (look in your manual or on-line) and describe what happened in respectful words. They might be willing at least to split the cost, at least for the part if not the labor. The sensor is part of the emissions controls and they are by law supposed to warranty those parts longer and they may also not want to have any bad stories about them.

Good luck.

[Jack in Alaska]

Oly,
Thanks for the suggestion. I was thinking about doing that but will now do it for sure. Can't hurt.
Jack