Crickets in my Engine

[bawlmer]

This is a strange one. When I start up my diesel I hear a rythmic beeping/squeaking sound. It sounded EXACTLY like a cricket would sound when it is chirping. Same rythm and audio frequency. After listening carefully I determined it was coming from the Oil pressure and water temp warning buzzer on my instrument panel. The rythm increases as the RPMs increase. It does not change as the engine comes up to operating temperature. The buzzer is new. Also the engine runs fine otherwise. All readings are normal. The low pressure alarm sounds when the engine is off and clears after it starts. Before I break out the manual and dive in I want to ask if anyone has experienced this before and what you came up with. I have a 1997 Catalina 270 with a Westerbeke W20B and a Seaward high efficiency instrument panel. All Wisdom is welcome.

Thanks...Steve

 

[Bill Roosa]

You have one of the sensor wires grounding somewhere. Probably on the engine and it is "bouncing" with engine vibration. Probably only a tiny rub through so don't start moving wires around or you will never find it. Look for a wire touching the engine. If you move the wire and the sound goes away then look closer for a rub through on the insulation.

 

[bawlmer]

Found the problem! The sense wire to the panel at the oil pressure sensor was loose. I tightened the connector and put it back on and the noise disappeared. Thanks for the tip.