My ‘03 Ficht 225 is calling me an idiot...

[wsimpson]

And I think it may be right.

First time out - new to me boat. First 3-4 starts were fine. Then when entering code and pressing start, one beep and nothing. No manuals and not sure what the single beep means (still waiting for Ranger to send me the requested original owner’s manuals). Several other attempts and same behavior. Then, pressing Start and Stop together, started? Finally, that wouldn’t work either and back to single beep. Thought it was the keypad acting up. Tried several dozen normal start attempts with same behavior - one beep. Start and Stop at same time also didn’t work. After trolling 1.5 miles back to ramp, couldn’t determine if oil tank was low or not but added a gallon thru remote oil fill - suspect so. Never saw any idiot lights until we pulled it into parking lot shade.

When it was running, water pressure was fine and strong stream.

After driving back over an hour, start attempt in driveway gave one beep and the three idiot lights (check engine, hot, no oil) were lit.

If it were low on oil, does it need to be primed? Any diagnostic tips before hauling it in for service?

Thanks...

[FTMS]

Need a little more info because I am not sure I understand what you are doing but this might help.

To start:
Enter code - press start - you should get your beep and lights and that is it. That turns the power on to everything but motor does no turn over.
Press start again - motor should turn over.
Press stop - Turns motor off but everything else stays powered up.
Enter code and press stop - powers everything done for the day.

Once you power everything you just use start and stop through out the day to get the motor running.

[Neverest]

By first experience with keyless ignition. Thanks for the reply. I:

1. Enter code;
2. Press start and get single beep and lights;
3. Press start - no motor turnover;
All 4 idiot lights all light on Tach, then individually turn off; then the three (not no oil) turn on?

Its not even trying to turn over - took the cowling off and the starter bendix not popping up and engaging the flywheel. Suspect a sensor reading may be disrupting the start sequence. Maybe the oil level sensor? Can't understand why the "hot" light would be lit when the motor has cooled down for over an hour?

Also confused by it starting once when simultaneously pressing both start and stop when on the water - led me to believe the keypad was misbehaving. Not sure now.

I put the batteries on charge last night and checked this AM and all are fully charged.

I'll confirm sequence and behavior this evening. Bought a DIY repair manual and will research more...

[FTMS]

I would be checking your neutral safety switch in your throttle. That would keep it from turning over.

[wsimpson]

After sitting 24 hours, all is well. Oil bulb was tight. No idiot lights. Starts without issue. Suspect (hope) my low oil was the culprit and the keypad and motor behaved as engineered. Still gun shy so I’ll put it on the water again and stay relatively close to the ramp for 1/2 day before venturing out like normal with increased confidence...

[JoePA]

Make sure the terminals on the starting battery are NOT wing nuts. Also make sure the connections on the solenoid are tight as well.

[SEAHORSE]

After driving back over an hour, start attempt in driveway gave one beep and the three idiot lights (check engine, hot, no oil) were lit.

When those three lights stay on, there are internal problems in the EMM. Sometimes they are only intermittent ones but it indicates there are abnormalities in the electronics. Your best best is to get the EMM repaired by one of the companies that specialize in FICHT EMM service.