Uploaded June 2009 | Updated September 2026, 2 days ago
After troubleshooting a constant audible alarm at the remote controls at the helm, I disconected the two leads coming from the two stroke oil reservoir switch and the alarm immediately silenced. I then removed the oil tank and used a multimeter (a continuity test) across the two leads that are attached to the magnetic sending unit reed switch. The multimeter gave me a tone (showed a "short") which told me that either the switch or the float inside were bad. I then removed the switch from the bottom of the tank and retested it which showed an "open" circuit on the meter which is correct when working normally. The only thing that could be wrong at that point is the small float inside the tank from oil saturation or sticking.
Also see this video which shows how to test the magnetic reed switch and styrofoam float before reinstalling the tank on the boat motor: youtube.com/watch?v=RE_OgVnZkl8
Testing power tilt and trim relays: youtube.com/watch?v=bOBEQqsSOtA
After troubleshooting a constant audible alarm at the remote controls at the helm, I disconected the two leads coming from the two stroke oil reservoir switch and the alarm immediately silenced. I then removed the oil tank and used a multimeter (a continuity test) across the two leads that are attached to the magnetic sending unit reed switch. The multimeter gave me a tone (showed a "short") which told me that either the switch or the float inside were bad. I then removed the switch from the bottom of the tank and retested it which showed an "open" circuit on the meter which is correct when working normally. The only thing that could be wrong at that point is the small float inside the tank from oil saturation or sticking.
Also see this video which shows how to test the magnetic reed switch and styrofoam float before reinstalling the tank on the boat motor: youtube.com/watch?v=RE_OgVnZkl8
Testing power tilt and trim relays: youtube.com/watch?v=bOBEQqsSOtA
