Very loud continuous beep sound

Irie308

Well-Known Member
May 28, 2013
2,577
CT
Boat Info
2004 420 DB, GHS Hydraulic Lift
Garmin 8600/Garmin 1222 plus
AB Mares 10 VSX with 30 hp Tohatsu
Engines
Cummins 450C 8.3 L Turbocharged
We took the boat out this weekend, the first time in about 4 weeks. Everything seemed fine until we accelerated upwards of 3500 rpms. There is a very loud continuous beep sound which seems come from the helm and coincides with a loss of power. I checked all gauges and the oil pressure, temperature gauge all seem to be within operating range. The one thing i did notice was low was the stern drive oil from within the engine compartment. Note reving the engine in neutral has the same results at 3500 rpms. Is anyone familiar with this alarm on a 215 sea ray before we call in the mechanic?
 
What year, what engine, what outdrive??? Does the beep continue after the drive oil reservoir was topped off?? That is where I'd start. There is a low fluid sensor that can go bad as well
 
2000 215ec with 5.0 mpi merc with alpha drive. i haven't had a chance to add the fluid as yet and probably won't until the weekend.
 
MPI or EFI? Could make a difference. Stock would have been EFI.
 
Sounds like the computer is putting the engine in guardian mode as a result of input it does not like from one of the sensors. I hear tell that the low oil in the stern drive can do that.
 
Last edited:
This was my original thought too but the "everything is fine until 3500 RPMs" statement kinda threw me off of that.

Agreed Mr. M-
If it is not the oil in the stern drive, then something is putting the motor in guardian mode.

Either the dealer's scan tool or one from Rinda are probably your best friends in diagnosing this.
 
Connect CDS to determine
and diagnose the problem
5–90% available power
dependent on actual fault.
Guardian is active!
Guardian strategy
Over speed
ECT overheat
ECM memory
Multiple CAN Circuit faults
EMCT overheat
Engine oil pressure
Battery voltage

Copied and pasted here:
 
Well, I was hoping you had made a mistake when you said MPI. EFI is much easier to diagnose over a forum as it's a simpler system with less sensors and a less sophisticated ECM. As you've probably come to realize by the above comments, the most productive course of action is going to be getting a scanner hooked up by a Merc technician (doesn't have to be at a Sea Ray dealership). Even with the MPI systems, there's been changes made over the years to the programming, which again, makes it more and more difficult to diagnose via a forum. Best bet... let a trained Merc tech look at it. Otherwise you'll likely spend more money (and certainly time) by guessing and throwing parts at it.
 
If you still have the alarm after filling gear lube I would simply disconnect the wires underneath the reservoir. If the alarm goes off there is your problem. I have had the reservoir float stick in the down position after filling.
 
So i topped off the gear lube and the problem is still there. i didn't see the post to check the sensor before heading out to the boat last weekend. I did notice that at 3500 rpm the oil pressure gauge is up around 80-90 psi. Could this be the culprit. I never noticed before what the oil pressure gauge reads at cruising speeds but i would assume consistent high pressure is not good. I'm at the end of the season so i can have it pulled and looked at.
 
Hi there, if you have not solved your issue yet, check the shift switch as if this has failed it will be telling the PCM that the motor is in neutral and will not let you rev beyond 3500rpm. Good luck
 
If a Smartcraft display was added, would that indicate what the issue is? I have an EFI engine so I'm not too familiar with the Smartcraft capabilities, but I think that it would.
 

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