Alarm going off

Rathbj

New Member
Jul 6, 2020
5
Boat Info
2018 sea ray Spx 230
Engines
250 Mercruiser Bravo 3
I bought a brand new 2018 Sea Ray SPX 230 last year and had no problems. This year when I start the boat I get 6 loud beeps then it goes away. Does anyone know what it could be?
 
Check outdrive fluid and/or stuck float in the reservoir bottle. Whenever fluid is changed, there can be air bubbles which eventually cause the fluid to drop.
 
I bought a brand new 2018 Sea Ray SPX 230 last year and had no problems. This year when I start the boat I get 6 loud beeps then it goes away. Does anyone know what it could be?
Did you get it figured out? I have an alarm when I switch on the depth sounder switch on the panel. Cant seem to get info.
 
Did you get it figured out? I have an alarm when I switch on the depth sounder switch on the panel. Cant seem to get info.
Depthfinders typically have a shallow (and sometimes a "deep") alarm. Turn the setting off.
 
This was a very high pitched shrill. Finally went off on its on.
Now with bigger issues. Told needs 2 new oil pumps and "have to pull both engines to do it." Seems a bit drastic, especially at estimate of $4000 or so. Getting throttle down message at about 3500-4000 rpm on one, the other or both engines. Occas will throttle down on its on. I can throttle down, alarm/notice goes off and then can resume boating as long as less than 3000 rpm. Hoping to get second opinion at SeaRay Dealer in Guntersville tomorrow.
 
This boat is something. I am having to find stuff that doesnt exist. Lol. Electrical engineer here. Seems that this should be easy. It aint. There are two piezo alarms in this panel. Found one. Havent located the other. Access is thru the switch panel and the bathroom wall. I unplugged the hot wire going to the depth sounder switch. Alarm silent. See that the Lowrance is wired hot gnd to the same switch. Plugged it back in. No alarm. Tested for voltage and it is only 1 volt at the disconnect. Breaker tested. It has 12v. Now I cant find the source of the 12 volts or a fuse box. The Lowrance is now disconnected from the circuit until I get it figured out. Depth sounder is in the bilge and looks to be ok. There is no access to the wiring thru the starboard side. Sea Ray will not provide wiring diagrams because boat > 10 yrs old. I cant believe the lack of information. When I called them in Kentucky they said sorry, use the clubsearay club. OMGoodness. Does anyone have any knowledge I do not have. My first “real” boat. Ty
 
Cat... to find the "engine" alarm piezo (assuming it's working), it should sound when you first turn the key on. Or, with things powered up, short the two connectors for the drive fluid reservoir bottle together. But, it should be under the dash, as well - usually zip tied to the steering rack.

Wire runs from bilge to dash... follow the existing stuff - easy one to see is the steering cable. Look for things (topsides) that you can easily remove such as a cubby/storage boxes or speakers. You may be able to remove the stbd side wall (or a panel) in the mid cabin, too.

Electrical schematics are in the owner's manual. If you don't have yours, you can download it from SR's website. If your year isn't there (there was a computer problem years ago where they lost things), look for a 250DA in a different year. Or, for the most part, wiring is standard so you can even look at a different model's wiring diagram for many things.

Sea Ray in Kentucky? Do you mean Tennessee? Did you call a dealer or corporate?

And... take a breath. Boat ownership is a different ballgame than car ownership. Take a step back and give yourself some time to process things - it's really not that bad. :)
 
Cat... to find the "engine" alarm piezo (assuming it's working), it should sound when you first turn the key on. Or, with things powered up, short the two connectors for the drive fluid reservoir bottle together. But, it should be under the dash, as well - usually zip tied to the steering rack.

Wire runs from bilge to dash... follow the existing stuff - easy one to see is the steering cable. Look for things (topsides) that you can easily remove such as a cubby/storage boxes or speakers. You may be able to remove the stbd side wall (or a panel) in the mid cabin, too.

Electrical schematics are in the owner's manual. If you don't have yours, you can download it from SR's website. If your year isn't there (there was a computer problem years ago where they lost things), look for a 250DA in a different year. Or, for the most part, wiring is standard so you can even look at a different model's wiring diagram for many things.

Sea Ray in Kentucky? Do you mean Tennessee? Did you call a dealer or corporate?

And... take a breath. Boat ownership is a different ballgame than car ownership. Take a step back and give yourself some time to process things - it's really not that bad. :)
 
Yes. You are right. Called Knoxville, TN. I thought Kentucky for some reason. Most boats have the same wiring. I have the owners manual. Its informative. But the details aren’t sufficient. I will keep looking. All I know is getting technical information saves time. Lol. I have decided the boat will be down for a couple weeks while I work this. It has provided a great deal of work for me in the month that I have owned it. Not complaining but I want it to be right when I take it out. The main bunk under the helm has a panel that looks like it can be removed. I will be running a new transducer wire thru there for the Lowrance. The previous owner hit the dock cutting the wire. My understanding is the wire is tuned and cant be spliced. Water intrusion also may be an issue. So I will troubleshoot.
 
Thanks for the help.
 
This was a very high pitched shrill. Finally went off on its on.
Now with bigger issues. Told needs 2 new oil pumps and "have to pull both engines to do it." Seems a bit drastic, especially at estimate of $4000 or so. Getting throttle down message at about 3500-4000 rpm on one, the other or both engines. Occas will throttle down on its on. I can throttle down, alarm/notice goes off and then can resume boating as long as less than 3000 rpm. Hoping to get second opinion at SeaRay Dealer in Guntersville tomorrow.

Why do they say you need both oil pumps replaced? I've owned about 25 different engines in the past 35 years or so, and I have seen exactly one oil pump failure. It seems extremely unlikely that 2 would go bad on you at the same time to me (not counting "operator error").

I see you're in Alabama. Did the previous owner use the boat in salt water? What outdrive do you have? I had a very similar issue on my 496 / bravo 3. No where near $4k to fix and the engines can stay put.
 
Oil pump failures are rare and two failures on teo engines in the same boat at the same time is zero chance. Something else going on here - get another mechanic to look at it.
 
Never been in salt water. Mechanic hooked up to manual oil ?? and did Mercruiser update prior to using it. When he got up to 3500-4000 rpm, oil pressure dropped to 15-18 almost immediately on port side. We've had "throttle down" message on both engines so while he has them out I figured change them both, along with water pump, spark plugs impellers, etc. Spoke with certified SeaRay mechanic at marine in Guntersville,al and he confirmed the suspected diagnoses and approx cost to pull engines, etc. About 14 hr labors. Parts apparently arent expensive.
Now not sure what to do! Definitely 'showing" low pressure on manual gauge as well.
Thanks for help
 
Oh and oil was just changed, good level and no oil in bilge area, etc. Only considering changing both to avoid another expense on pulling engine for other repairs, etc. Have him check belts, impellers, everything while out, etc.
Bad choice?
 
I bought a brand new 2018 Sea Ray SPX 230 last year and had no problems. This year when I start the boat I get 6 loud beeps then it goes away. Does anyone know what it could be?
Thank you that is what it was, low fluid.
 

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