An engine alarm is your first warning before catastrophic damage. Don't silence it without finding the cause — the buzzer just bought you a $200 fix instead of a $20,000 one.
What to Check
1
Coolant temperature
First check coolant level and raw-water flow. Overheat alarms come on for real reasons.
2
Oil pressure
Low oil pressure at idle (under 10 psi hot) means worn bearings or a stuck pressure relief. Don't run.
3
Alternator / charging
Charging-fault alarm on most diesels. Check belt and alternator output.
4
Fuel water separator
Some engines alarm when the Racor bowl needs draining. Check the float.
When to Call Us
Engine alarms are not optional. Shut down and call us — we diagnose at your slip and won't restart the engine until we know why it alarmed.