Helm Alarms

connie garcy

connie garcy

Member
May 13, 2008
517
Phoenix, NY
Boat Info
1999 Sundancer 370 DA
Engines
7.4 MPI Horizon
V Drives
We have a 1999 Sundancer 370 with the 7.4's in it. The problem we are having is, when we open the engines up and run them for about 1 1/2 hr or 2 and alarm goes off. All the gages are were they should be. Can you please tell me what the problem might be (sensors?)

Thanks
Connie
 
:smt100I forgot to mention, this only happens on the port engine and if we sit for about 45 min. it stops unless we run them hard again.
 
I'd start by verifying engine temp at the t-stat. 1-1/2 hours is way too long for an engine to take to overheat, so I doubt that's happening. But verifying is always a good start - never trust the gauges.

Did you try swapping sensors from one engine to another?
 
There's a couple of good online resources for parts - the nice thing is they have a "fiche" of all the parts. One of them is perfprotech.com. If you go to that site, you can pull up parts diagrams of your engine and find the sensor or the alarm. Then, just swap with the stbd engine.

I *believe* the gauge sender is in your t-stat. I'm not sure where the sensor is (and you may have 2). "Senders" go to gauges, "sensors" go to alarms or computers. You might have a bad sensor.

But, yes, a good service manual can be invaluable. Keep it on the boat with you.
 
connie garcy said:
We have a 1999 Sundancer 370 with the 7.4's in it. The problem we are having is, when we open the engines up and run them for about 1 1/2 hr or 2 and alarm goes off. All the gages are were they should be. Can you please tell me what the problem might be (sensors?)

Thanks
Connie
Click to expand...

Connie, it's funny you mention this as I was just about to post the same question. This is what I've found: The only sensor that will sound without showing up on a gauge or a red light on the systems monitor is the transmission temp. My port side did the same thing as yours and after I figured out what it was I put my hand on both transmissions and verified that the port side was noticeably hotter. I didn't have a infrared thermometer with me but it was pretty hot. I found that by putting the trans in neutral and running the engine at 2000 rpm for about 1 minute the increase in raw water flow will bring the temp down and the alarm will shut of. I still haven't figured out the cause. The trans coolers are new, the engines don't overheat, the alignment is right on, trans fluid is good, no filters or screens in the trans. I don't know what else to check. Any ideas??? Mark
 
This might help go here and then go there. Cost me enough in fuel to find that this was the issue, I even changed an alternator which was unnecessary.


Mechanic put his laptop on checked codes, monoriting while underway.


Fuel relay got hot, started chattering possibly, opened, stopped fuel flow, had set alarm by then...yada yada

:huh:

Been working ever since two relays were changed :thumbsup: I also had the ECM relay changed in the process.
 
Last edited:
fwebster said:
All it takes is one plastic bag or one clump of grass to clog the oil cooler.
Click to expand...

Frank, I can't understand how a blockage in the cooling system would cause the trans to overheat but not the engine. The trans cooler on my boat is the first place the raw water goes from the raw water pump. I would expect a blockage would overheat the motor also. Do you agree? Thanks, Mark
 
I was hoping for some input from the group on this as I am running out of idea's for a cure. Any other thoughts guys? Thanks, Mark
 
i have a 1992 29' sundancer and there is a random alarm that goes off. It is not the loud temp or oudrive fluid level alarm. It went off in the middle of the night while we were plugged in to shore and sleeping for 30 seconds. It did this occasionally every hour then stated going off randomly, it is under the dash, ran the boat, no problems, going on off, not a really loud noice but bothersome, any ideas??
 
Lazy Daze said:
Did you get the service book to locate the senders, yet? Or, follow that website I mentioned?
Click to expand...

Dennis, I don't think there's any problem with the senders since the port trans was definitely hotter then the starboard. I'll confirm that with a thermometer next time out but I'll also swap the senders from one side to the other just in case. Thanks, Mark
 
Hi Dennis,
We are going down to the boat this weekend so we need to get the Serial #'s off both engines before we can order the manuals.
 
connie garcy said:
Hi Dennis,
We are going down to the boat this weekend so we need to get the Serial #'s off both engines before we can order the manuals.
Click to expand...

Oh, OK. Very good. If you wanted, you could take a look at that online company I talked about. I think you'll be able to find what you're looking for without the serial numbers. They list engines by serial number and year. Just a thought! :smt001 Besides, it's a fun site to play around on.
 
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