2 bbeps every 2 minutes

Jeff Delbuono

Jeff Delbuono

Well-Known Member
Jun 11, 2018
1,126
Edison New Jersey
Boat Info
1998 Sea Ray 290 Sundancer
Engines
5.0 efi w/ alpha 1 gen 2 drives
Trying to help a dockmate with a problem. New to him 03 240 dancer with 5.0 mpi. Boats runs strong and great. But when he goes to start it he has to give a little gas to get her running. Runs strong then he starts to get the 2 beeps every 2 minutes. Have checked the temp, oil pressure and drive fluid and not that. Does it sound like a IAC valve. i dont have on my twins so dont know much about them. Any help would be great
 
Yes the 2 beep/2 min is the IAC interval. I think gear lube is 2 beep/1 min
 
Awesome, thanks for the fast reply. Short of getting it scanned. ( 4 -8 ) week wait. I figured it was that but could also bee 1001 other things and sensors i know. But an easy starting spot to swap out. I did unplug the other 3 1 at a time and alarm still sounds so i ruled them out. But with the feathering the throttle was a clue
 
After it is warmed up and returns to idle, is the idle steady or does it fluctuate? IAC alarms are not usually triggered until the IAC is getting pretty bad from what I've heard.

More likely are things like the water pressure sender. They can become problematic but simply unplugging them won't stop the beeping. The computer may be seeing lo water pressure, high water pressure, or no signal, all of which will throw the alarm. Simply unplugging the sensors usually will not stop the beeping if it's that sensor causing the issue.

Before replacing parts it would be best to hook up a Rinda scan tool to identify the alarm OR you could even install Merc's Vessel View Mobile to your engine. It's pretty slick and uses a bluetooth to connect the Merc app to your phone or tablet. It would display what alarm is being triggered and give you the opportunity to silence it or even block it. Helpful if you know that the alarm is bogus (like with a water pressure sensor apparently reporting no water flow but your engine continues to run at the right temp) and you will replace the sensor in time. I installed it on mine and it's easy to do and very impressive to use.

By the way, the water sensor on that engine should be on the power steering cooling tube located just behind the distributor at the top/back of the engine.
 
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Good info. I was looking at the vesselview app for my twin 5.0 efi's. Is it a easy install on twins. Im guessing i would need 2 and a connector to sink together. Or just 2 and 2 seperate apps
 
Jeff Delbuono said:
Good info. I was looking at the vesselview app for my twin 5.0 efi's. Is it a easy install on twins. Im guessing i would need 2 and a connector to sink together. Or just 2 and 2 seperate apps
Click to expand...

Very easy on twins, but first you will probably find that both your engines computers are probably designated as stb engines from the factory. It is a quick thing to do IF you have access to a RINDA diagnostic tool to change the designation of the port engine from its factory stb setting to port. (less than 2 min with RINDA) Failing to do this first with mash both engine's data into one stream and muck things up. I have a RINDA myself - so that part was easy.

I bought one Merc Blue Cable 6' for port engine, another identical cable for stb engine and plugged the end into the computer port on the other side of the rear top engine from the distributor cap. You will find both plugs have a little two wire plug further toward the computer labeled "power supply" or something of the sort. You must unplug either port or stb plug since you don't want 2x power supply for the VVM unit.

Next, got a Merc 4 way Junction Box for $40. Plug the other end of those blue cables into the box.

Next, got VVM $175 Bluetooth Kit and plugged it into the Junction Box (one VVM device will handle up to 4 engines). Done.

Download the VVM app on your device, turn on the ignitions and you should be able to connect to VVM Bluetooth and start tailoring your screens. I'd say that's pretty easy!
 
Awesome. Always wanted and watched a bunch of you tube stuff on it. Just was confused with the twin set up. Thanks for the help. So all in. About $800 to $1,000
 
Ok, update to original question. Had my buddy swap out IAC valve and muffler and it dodnt fix the issue. Any other suggestions
 
Jeff Delbuono said:
Awesome. Always wanted and watched a bunch of you tube stuff on it. Just was confused with the twin set up. Thanks for the help. So all in. About $800 to $1,000
Click to expand...

More like $400 all in and very impressed with it so far. Youtube vid's don't really go into multi engine stuff, but if you have any issues just PM me and I'll see if I can help. It's really not difficult at all as long as you have a SmartCraft setup on your engines.
 
Jeff Delbuono said:
Ok, update to original question. Had my buddy swap out IAC valve and muffler and it dodnt fix the issue. Any other suggestions
Click to expand...

It's tempting to toss parts at it, but it's hit & miss until you have it scanned with a Rinda or similar device. If it's beeping there will be a reason. As far as needing more gas upon startup, that could be any one of a list of issues - plugs, wires, distributor, vac leak, etc... I'd start by determining what the beeps are from.
 
We have a 3-4 week wait on a mechanic to come and scan the boat. I have the small little rinda codemate scanner that just plugs in to show codes with a flash of a light. Will this work on his motor. Not sure what conection they have on it.
Screenshot_20220708-063204_Chrome.jpg
 
Thats what i figured. Mine is a 1998 5.0 efi. His is a 2003 5.0 mpi. Where would his test plug be at?
 
Its the water pressure sensor. 5 min fix. This happened to me and two of my dock mates. Unplug it and remove it. Put you finger over the hole where the sensor goes, some water will come out. Install the new one and be on your way. Its located on the back of the motor on the power steering tube. Part #16. You can buy them on the internet for about $30.00..

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