Help! Alarm signal question

[IronDioPriest]

I'm going to try to explain this the best I can, but I'm a total newbie.

I have a newly acquired 1988 Yamaha 200 ETLG. It has worked fine for about 2 months, no problems.

However the last two times I've had the boat out, I get an alarm after I've been idling or moving at very low speed for 2 minutes or so. When I tried to accelerate (thinking that perhaps it was needing more water), the engine ran very rough, almost as if it was not on all 6 cylinders, and I had very little power or acceleration, as if the lower unit was not receiving full power.

The first time this happened, it just suddenly stopped on its own - the alarm stopped and the engine began running normally all at once.

The last time this happened, on a whim, I put the engine in reverse, and the alarm stopped, and when I put it back in forward gear, the alarm and the rough-running were both gone.

Water intake is clear, and both oil tanks are full.

I do not yet have an owners manual, but definitely plan on getting one.

Any help? Please? And if you can, make it good news, K?


Modified by Paul From Minnesota at 8:39 AM 8/21/2008

[Skeeter Jay]

I'm guessing that when your alarm is going off its putting the motor into a fail safe mode? Seems like my old Yammie 115 did that once when the low oil alarm went off.

[IronDioPriest]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Skeeter Jay &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'm guessing that when your alarm is going off its putting the motor into a fail safe mode? Seems like my old Yammie 115 did that once when the low oil alarm went off.</TD></TR></TABLE>
So you're saying that perhaps the rough-running and low power are a result of the alarm putting the engine in fail-safe to prevent damage? That would be a comfort, I s'pose.

Both my oil tanks are full, and my water intakes are clear. And again, this only happens at nominal speed. Anyone have an idea what might be causing the alarm?

[IronDioPriest]

Please? Anyone?

[BuzzB8]

How about a faulty over-heat sensor? Or maybe you're not getting enough water thru the water passages.

[IronDioPriest]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BuzzB8 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">How about a faulty over-heat sensor? Or maybe you're not getting enough water thru the water passages.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I dunno... you tell me!!!

The faulty overheat sensor may cause the alarm, but would it cause the rough running and lack of power?

The water passages look clear to me. How can I tell besides visual inspection?