Constant BEEP once turn key to start motor

[FishInTheDesert]

I have a 2004 Bass Tracker PT175 with a 50hp 2 stroke ELPTO on it.

Bought it used....so I only know what Ive done to it. From what I gather tho the old man that owned it before me to good care of it...but had it sitting outside unused about 6-7 years. Purchased the boat in october....and wouldnt be surprised if ive put close to 100 hours on it already. Did a prepurchase inspection and all was well, and also payed the mechanich $400 for him to clean up the fuel system...filters and hoses according to him. "Hot Soak ed" with seafoam a couple times since purchase. Fill up with regular gas but "always" add a few ounces of Quickare.

Never had issues with the boat...its actually improved the more ive used it. I guessing this is because it was sitting unused for so long, someone on here mentioned that to me before. Went out on a 2 day trip. Day 1 fished for just over 10 and no issues. Did plenty of running too....lake is big and doesnt have much cover or features, so I tend to run all over the lake a lot!

Day 2 came....was doing well until about 2pm. At about that time...i noticed my RPM guage was no longer working. None of my other guages work beside the battery one. Battery one was still working....but it was reading voltage just above the "12" mark. When I run the boat normally....during idle itll be at/above the 12 mark....but when I start running the guage will shoot up to the "14" mark. Well come 3 oclock and im gonna move spots....boats a little harder to start (doesnt always start on 1 crank, but was a bit harder than usual) but starts out good. Then....i go....and "hammer down"...I hit the throttle quickly forward(but not like a googan, promise).....and then it puttered out. Its NEVER done that before. I start her back up fine, and am a little more gentle/gradual with engaging the throttle foward....running no issues. But....I notice that the battery guage is reading around 12 even while running (usually at 14 during this time). I get to the next spot...and the motor isnt holding idle and puttering out. I fish a while....

Then decide to move spots again....go to turn on the motor....and then I hear this beep! It was a LOUD beep. I ran to the dock to load up for home...still beeping throughout. Beeping softened while running at higher RPMs...and after a run and I got to the marina. I got a video...you can see the puttering out, the loud beep and then the softer beeping.



Other important info:
-I was hoping it was a battery issue. Its an exide starting battery from academy, and only a month or 2 old. https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/exi...ldCatid=791649

-I never charge the starting battery since I assume the motor will do that while fishing. I have since plugged the battery into a cheap NOCO Genius charger. Seems to make the boat feel "stronger" when I start it...but I still hear the beeping. So that didnt solve it like I hoped.

-I just recently (last trip) switched oils. Im not sure what oil I had used before that the old owner gave me (blue bottle, and blue liquid)....so I switched last trip to quicksilver premium plus. There was plenty of oil...but it did sound the same as the low oil alarm. I know what that sounds like because I ran the OLD oil down until I heard the beep and then added the new oil. Ive run through 1 fill up of oil...and added a second late on Day 1 of my most recent trip. So im no mechanic...but theres been a decent amount of oil run through the motor (close to a 1/2 gallon in my estimation).

-I filled up with about 10 gallons of gas after day 1...and did not add quickare cuz I forgot it at home.

Hopefully you all can help me figure out the problem....I hope its not expensive because funds arent readily flowing, and the damn BITE IS ON right now at my home lake! was planning to head out tomorrow and tuesday.....not no more unfortunately. Im hoping its something I can tackle myself too.....not many reliable mechanics in the desert! lol

Thanks for reading it all! Tried to get as much info as I remember.

[FishInTheDesert]

talked to an out of state buddy and gave him a similar run down...seems to think its gotta be an oil sensor issue. Also mentioned overheating...but ruled that out since boats still peeing and also starts beeping when its cold (sitting for hours/days).

He mentioned cleaning out a screen that the oil goes through as well as the sensors....any vids or threads you all can point me to for that kinda stuff? just about to get on the google grind for that....found this so far tho

[jrodriguez_20807]

Mine did that once and it ended up being the oil tank on the motor. When I would unplug it it would stop beeping.

[FishInTheDesert]

Mine did that once and it ended up being the oil tank on the motor. When I would unplug it it would stop beeping.

my first boat, so sorry for the dumb question...but how did you unplug it?

[JOE54]

Mine did that once and it ended up being the oil tank on the motor. When I would unplug it it would stop beeping.

unplug light blue wires coming from under tank if it stops likely bad float in tank,replace tank

[jrodriguez_20807]

This....

[FishInTheDesert]

unplug light blue wires coming from under tank if it stops likely bad float in tank,replace tank

So...it looks like that "fixed" it. I unplugged the two blue wires and started it...no beep. Then I plugged the 2 blue wires back in and started it....no beep. Seems like I mightve "reset" it?

Now....does that mean that I just have a bad sensor that needs to be replaced (prolly the whole tank right?)...or does that mean I have a oil problem? I wanna go fishing tomorrow...but dont want to blow up my motor. If its just a unplug it....or unplug it and plug it back in till beep comes back then unplug again type thing, I can order the part online and go fish tomorrow. But if its an oil issue....yea, I gotta fix that before I get back on the water.

Thanks guys! feeling a bit more relieved than I have been regarding this boat....not looking forward to Busting Out Another Thousand! lol

[JOE54]

likely bad float in tank replace complete tank

[Walleyeguy456]

Had the same problem. I jumped across the 2 wires and the alarm quit. After research I found out there is a magnet on the float that the sensors uses to check oil level. Due to a not so great manufacturing process the magnet falls off. 110.00 for a new tank fixed the problem. Cut the old tank in half and there was the magnet sitting in the bottom of the tank.

[FishInTheDesert]

Had the same problem. I jumped across the 2 wires and the alarm quit. After research I found out there is a magnet on the float that the sensors uses to check oil level. Due to a not so great manufacturing process the magnet falls off. 110.00 for a new tank fixed the problem. Cut the old tank in half and there was the magnet sitting in the bottom of the tank.

can you direct me to the best place to order that? Also....do they sell fuel lines? Bought a damn gas line and hand pump/siphon off amazon in october....theyre already dry rotting....and my boats always covered!!! lol

Is it an easy switch? Just drain out the old oil with a pump, unscrew and just switch? anything else that needs to be done...or anything special that normal household tools cant handle?

Thanks guys....i was really worried when my workhorse of a boat started having issues! seriously...i got immediately bummed on the water! lol

[JOE54]

merc dealer, pretty easy, this engine wires jumped should sound alarm hope this helps ya JOE

[FishInTheDesert]

Ok looking up the part....am I good ordering just the tank or do I need to order the new wiring stuff too?

[FishInTheDesert]

Had the same problem. I jumped across the 2 wires and the alarm quit. After research I found out there is a magnet on the float that the sensors uses to check oil level. Due to a not so great manufacturing process the magnet falls off. 110.00 for a new tank fixed the problem. Cut the old tank in half and there was the magnet sitting in the bottom of the tank.

you got a website for that price? Im getting quoted $178+$20 shipping! almost a $100 difference....thats a lot of crankbaits I could buy instead! LMAO

cheapest I found online was $122 used from Ebay and amazon.

[JOE54]

might check with Rohonda at EUROPEAN MARINE he a sponsor on this great web site that you got all this good info on for free

[SilverFox579]

might check with Rohonda at EUROPEAN MARINE he a sponsor on this great web site that you got all this good info on for free

+100 to this.

If you want to order or price Mercury Engine Parts or Accessories...

[FishInTheDesert]

+100 to this.

If you want to order or price Mercury Engine Parts or Accessories...

Thanks. The O threw me off and I couldnt find him.

Ill order from him. Even if its not cheaper. Im not a fan of my local (100+ miles away btw) Mercury dealer since he railed against 2 stroke mercury's when I called him to do a prepurchase inspection for me. He also told me not to buy it, and that he was the only mercury dealer and wouldnt work on it. I bought the 2 stroke! lol

[JOE54]

I would have too

[SilverFox579]

That dealer would never see a dime from me.

The nice folks at European Marine will treat you very, very well. Be sure to mention you are a BBC member when placing your order!

[FishInTheDesert]

That dealer would never see a dime from me.

The nice folks at European Marine will treat you very, very well. Be sure to mention you are a BBC member when placing your order!

Not doing business with him was the plan....glad you all let me know about European Marine. His site is great and easy to find your part. Just ordered today and got the bbc discount! Price was good considering its new and oem. thanks for pointing me in the right direction.

[JOE54]