Dinghy outboard keeps making alarm sound

[Shaps]

I think I'm a decent shade tree mechanic but I don't know anything really about how to tell what the alert is trying to tell me.
The motor starts and runs fine, letting it sit for a bit now and see if it was a temperature issue.
The red light on the engine comes on when it starts and then goes out like usual. But the tone of the alarm changes. A bit softer.
Oil looks done, water is coming out of the tattletale as usual... Any ideas what to check?
Thank you!

 

[J.Wilt]

Probably needs scheduled maintenance

 

[Stee6043]

Is it your oil change reminder? My 2019 Suzuki 25 gives two beeps, a bit random, for the first 3 or 5 minutes of operation to let you know it's time to change the oil. After that it stops until you cycle the ignition again.

 

[Shaps]

Is it your oil change reminder? My 2019 Suzuki 25 gives two beeps, a bit random, for the first 3 or 5 minutes of operation to let you know it's time to change the oil. After that it stops until you cycle the ignition again.

I don't think so, it is a constant whistle but the oil light is not illuminated.

 

[Pirate Lady]

Have you tried googling? I just typed “why does my 20hp mercury outboard whistle” and i got a ton of articles.

 

[Shaps]

A continuous non stop beep is the over heat alarm!

Thanks @Pirate Lady

Guess I will be taking a look at the impeller, etc. Jut ordered a tune up kit. May as well...

You would think that Mercury would tell you this somewhere in the manual!

 

[Pirate Lady]

A continuous non stop beep is the over heat alarm!

Thanks @Pirate Lady

Guess I will be taking a look at the impeller, etc. Jut ordered a tune up kit. May as well...

You would think that Mercury would tell you this somewhere in the manual!

Good deal, as for boats… i have always said if cars were built like boats there would be a congressional investigation. Dont even get me started.

 

[firecadet613]

A continuous non stop beep is the over heat alarm!

Thanks @Pirate Lady

Guess I will be taking a look at the impeller, etc. Jut ordered a tune up kit. May as well...

You would think that Mercury would tell you this somewhere in the manual!

@Shaps are you salt water? May want to take a quick look at the thermostat as well.

 

[b_arrington]

I upgraded from a mid 90’s 2 stroke to a 15 hp Mercury similar to yours. It was quite a shock going from fixing everything with a shop manual, to needing a computer to get any info. You need special software to read any codes and it’s expensive.

 

[Shaps]

@Shaps are you salt water? May want to take a quick look at the thermostat as well.

I upgraded from a mid 90’s 2 stroke to a 15 hp Mercury similar to yours. It was quite a shock going from fixing everything with a shop manual, to needing a computer to get any info. You need special software to read any codes and it’s expensive.

@firecadet613
I am indeed in Salt water and religiously flush after every use. I'll make sure the thermostat is on the list.

@b_arrington
Is there truly no diagnostic computer we can buy for these? Ugh !!!0

 

[firecadet613]

@firecadet613
I am indeed in Salt water and religiously flush after every use. I'll make sure the thermostat is on the list.

@b_arrington
Is there truly no diagnostic computer we can buy for these? Ugh !!!0

@Shaps EFI or carb'd. My '19 9.9 is carb'd and I don't believe it has a diagnostic port. If it's fuel injected, it may have one. See my post in the dinghy forum about the Suzuki tool.... I'm sure Merc has similar.

 

[Shaps]

@Shaps EFI or carb'd. My '19 9.9 is carb'd and I don't believe it has a diagnostic port. If it's fuel injected, it may have one. See my post in the dinghy forum about the Suzuki tool.... I'm sure Merc has similar.

Carb from 2013

 

[b_arrington]

Carb from 2013

If it’s carb’d you may be in a better spot than I. Mine is a 2020 EFI model. As far as I know I would need a laptop and $900 of software.

 

[Shaps]

If it’s carb’d you may be in a better spot than I. Mine is a 2020 EFI model. As far as I know I would need a laptop and $900 of software.

Brad, that isn't smartcraft compatible?
Can't you get a (somewhat) inexpensive guage for the motor?

 

[b_arrington]

Brad, that isn't smartcraft compatible?
Can't you get a (somewhat) inexpensive guage for the motor?

I'd have to look into it more to be sure, but when I checked last year it seemed to be only supported by a laptop and technician software. Pretty sure that Smartcraft isn't supported - it's only 15 HP and not intended to interface with anything. It doesn't even have a battery connection.

The feeling I got was the software was really for dealers, but if an owner REALLY wanted to read the codes then Mercury would sell it (and the required cable) for a price. Dealers need it to service the equipment and can spread out the cost; less so for owners.

If there were a simpler (cheaper) diagnostic option I'd be happy to know of it. Aside from the more reliable starting and quieter operation of the 4 stroke, I do miss my old 2 stroke. I had made a lot of repairs from prior owner's neglect and could make it work really well. The boat ran better with it too.