Alarm buzzer mystery
Moderator: KenKrawford
Alarm buzzer mystery
The boat was hit by a lightning, and it took out the low pressure/high temperature alarm buzzer and the circuit breaker attached to the glow plugs solenoid. I don’t know if anything else got fried, but the engine seems to be working fine. I replaced the alarm buzzer, the key switch, the glow plug solenoid, and the circuit switch attached to the solenoid using the same westerbeke parts. In the first position of the key switch the buzzer makes the normal beep beep sound, but in the glow plug position it does not make any sound. In the glow plug position I can hear the solenoid click and the fuel pump clicking. Any ideas before I call the $100/hr cavalry?
Harry Perros
Aegean
Hull #331
Aegean
Hull #331
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- Posts: 116
- Joined: Wed Nov 02, 2016 5:43 pm
Re: Alarm buzzer mystery
Hi Harry,
If I recall correctly, when I first turn my key on, I get the constant beep-beep. If I move my key further over to the glow plug position, I don't have any sound. I'm heading back to the boat this w/e, so I can verify that if you wish...
Since my boat is in South Carolina, I seldom, if ever, use the glow plug position.
Bill
Atlanta, GA
If I recall correctly, when I first turn my key on, I get the constant beep-beep. If I move my key further over to the glow plug position, I don't have any sound. I'm heading back to the boat this w/e, so I can verify that if you wish...
Since my boat is in South Carolina, I seldom, if ever, use the glow plug position.
Bill
Atlanta, GA
2004 C350 #193
Atlanta (Home) / Charleston, SC (Boat)
Atlanta (Home) / Charleston, SC (Boat)
Re: Alarm buzzer mystery
Bill,ElizabethG wrote: ↑Wed Aug 04, 2021 3:48 pm Since my boat is in South Carolina, I seldom, if ever, use the glow plug position.
Bill
Atlanta, GA
I would recommend using the glow plugs even in your climate. 90 degrees F may be warm for us humans, but compared with engine operating temperature of close to twice that, it is still pretty cold.
Brett Wolfe
C350 #180
"Vindaloo"
Ft Myers FL
C350 #180
"Vindaloo"
Ft Myers FL
Re: Alarm buzzer mystery
Sounds like normal behavior
#325
#394
#325
#394
Re: Alarm buzzer mystery
Before the lightning strike, in the glow plug position, it made the same beep beep sound but much faster.
Harry Perros
Aegean
Hull #331
Aegean
Hull #331
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- Posts: 616
- Joined: Wed Nov 02, 2005 8:54 pm
- Location: Atlanta, GA
Re: Alarm buzzer mystery
My buzzer stops when I engage the glow plug.
Ken Krawford
Message Board Moderator
C350 # 351
Lake Lanier, GA
Message Board Moderator
C350 # 351
Lake Lanier, GA
Re: Alarm buzzer mystery
I am amazed that this is normal behavior!!! I wonder if they redesigned the buzzer. Thank you all for your quick responses.
Harry Perros
Aegean
Hull #331
Aegean
Hull #331
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- Posts: 58
- Joined: Thu May 25, 2017 1:32 am
Re: Alarm buzzer mystery
Same on my boat. I really don't want to hear that beep while I"m waiting for the glow plugs to heat up anyway.ElizabethG wrote: ↑Wed Aug 04, 2021 3:48 pm Hi Harry,
If I recall correctly, when I first turn my key on, I get the constant beep-beep. If I move my key further over to the glow plug position, I don't have any sound. I'm heading back to the boat this w/e, so I can verify that if you wish...
Since my boat is in South Carolina, I seldom, if ever, use the glow plug position.
Bill
Atlanta, GA
Mark Sutherland,
Dunrobin III
Hull #388 (2006)
Dunrobin III
Hull #388 (2006)
Re: Alarm buzzer mystery
I have to admit that I liked that fast pulsating sound. It was a good feedback that it was working. Anyway I am happy that I don’t have to do any more work on this.
An interesting data point that I would like to share with the members is that when the circuit switch is disconnected, that is, no current to the buzzer and to the fuel pump, in the glow plug position, the buzzer continuous to sound as in the on position.
An interesting data point that I would like to share with the members is that when the circuit switch is disconnected, that is, no current to the buzzer and to the fuel pump, in the glow plug position, the buzzer continuous to sound as in the on position.
Harry Perros
Aegean
Hull #331
Aegean
Hull #331
Re: Alarm buzzer mystery
I'm a new Cat350 owner looking for some guidance. I just encountered a similar problem, Engine alarm continues to Buzz after starting engine, while the key is "ON" in the 2 o'clock position and will not shut off. Buzzer stops when, I turn the key to "OFF" at 12 o'Clock position, (all engine meters turn off but engine continues to run.) When, I switch key back to "ON", alarm buzzer continues, engine meters are on again but Buzzer alarm keep sounding.
I appreciate any suggestion to solve this issue.
Thank you,
I appreciate any suggestion to solve this issue.
Thank you,
eatkins23
"Grand Marnier II"
C-350-#10
Stamford CT
"Grand Marnier II"
C-350-#10
Stamford CT
Re: Alarm buzzer mystery
I have had a similar problem on my 2003 #020. Concerned that there might be an oil pressure issue, I added an oil pressure gage to be sure. Surprised Catalina didn't install it from the factory. Have you tried calling Warren Pandy?
Re: Alarm buzzer mystery
Check your oil pressure cut-off switch. Should be on the bottom left side of the engine about midway back. There are two blade connectors- one is in a circuit with the buzzer, the other to the fuel lift pump. The idea is if oil pressure drops the circuits open giving the buzzer and the engine shuts down. I had the bade for the buzzer rust and break off which opened the circuit and made the buzzer run as it thought there was no oil pressure. I replaced the switch (Catalina Direct) which fixed the issue. It is a bit difficult to get out (but what isn't on a sailboat).
Pete & Anita
Slip Away #437
Hampton, VA
Slip Away #437
Hampton, VA
Re: Alarm buzzer mystery->Glow Plug Position
Hi I am new(ish) to my 2008 C350. I am not familiar with the glow plug position on the switch? Which way is that?
Steve Goldman
"Peen honin"
Catalina C350 Hull 485
Waukegan, IL.
"Peen honin"
Catalina C350 Hull 485
Waukegan, IL.
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- Posts: 616
- Joined: Wed Nov 02, 2005 8:54 pm
- Location: Atlanta, GA
Re: Alarm buzzer mystery
If you're standing at the helm facing forward, turn the key aftward (toward you) as far as it will go. That is the glow position for the key. There should be no buzzers at this stage. When you release the key a spring will take the it out of the glow position and into the ON position. The low oil/high temp alarm should sound.
Ken Krawford
Message Board Moderator
C350 # 351
Lake Lanier, GA
Message Board Moderator
C350 # 351
Lake Lanier, GA
Re: Alarm buzzer mystery
Mark Sutherland wrote: ↑Thu Aug 05, 2021 9:18 amSame on my boat. I really don't want to hear that beep while I"m waiting for the glow plugs to heat up anyway.ElizabethG wrote: ↑Wed Aug 04, 2021 3:48 pm Hi Harry,
If I recall correctly, when I first turn my key on, I get the constant beep-beep. If I move my key further over to the glow plug position, I don't have any sound. I'm heading back to the boat this w/e, so I can verify that if you wish...
Since my boat is in South Carolina, I seldom, if ever, use the glow plug position.
Bill
Atlanta, GA