Repeating single beep error

[Smile Maker]

Went to fire up go for a ride for the first time this year yesterday. The engine fired right up, but I got a check engine warning with a single repeating beep.

One thing I checked was my outdrive fluid reservoir. It was empty! There is evidence of gear lube in the bilge. I filled it up the reservoir, and it seemed to be holding at that level, but the single beep repeating check engine does not stop.

Any suggestions on what I should try next?

Thanks all!

 

[Wanderer 290]

Then fluid level sensor in the bottom of the outdrive lube reservoir may be gummed up which is a common problem. If it is gummed up remove the reservoir and rinse it with a solvent. I have used brake Kleen.

Disconnect the sensor and see if the alarm ceases.

Additionally, it would be wise to find the cause of the loss of lube....

 

[Smile Maker]

Then fluid level sensor in the bottom of the outdrive lube reservoir may be gummed up which is a common problem. If it is gummed up remove the reservoir and rinse it with a solvent. I have used brake Kleen.

Disconnect the sensor and see if the alarm ceases.

Additionally, it would be wise to find the cause of the loss of lube....

Thank you, Wanderer.
I think I should find/fix the leak first. Searching the boards, it looks like the first three culprits could be:
1) Leak around the cap due to gasket (did not notice any lube high on my engine)
2) Crack in reservoir
3) Quick disconnects at bottom of reservoir and at end of tube at transom

I will check all those for leaks. What is concerning me, is that I re-filled the fluids and ran it in the slip for two minutes to see if the alarm (single repeating beep) would stop, and it didn't.

 

[Wanderer 290]

Disconnect the alarm on the bottom of the reservoir and see if the alarm ceases... then you will know if that’s your problem.

 

[OllieC]

I had a leak in my bilge two years ago. It was the "L" connection (maybe someone has a better description) behind the motor that connects the fluid to the outdrive. They go bad, crack and leak fluid.

 

[OllieC]

Similar to this on the gimbal housing.

 

[Smile Maker]

Could not find an obvious source to the leak - no cracks in the plastic reservoir, the cap gasket looks good, followed the tube all the way to the transom, found nothing. But there was a little crud on the bottom of the reservoir around that fitting.

I think it was a loose fitting on the bottom of the reservoir, I tightened it up and refilled.
The beep stopped awhile after I filled it and it had a chance to settle.
I will watch it and see.

Thanks SeaRay folks.