Tuned up motor ,496 ho-b1,now alarm sounds when key is turned on ,starting motor,during motor running, 2 sec beeps ,continuously ,motor sounds & running good, have on garden hose .,not in water , any ideas on what direction to go, would be super,thanks

Sounds like you have loose connection somewhere or a wire came off somewhere. Alarms are usually for Low Drive Lube Oil ( the oil reserve cannister on the interior transom/engine room ), high water temperature, low/no oil pressure.

Not really familiar with the 496 HO system, but this is a general list of what usually generates the alarms.

Here ya go:

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/g...eps-496ho.html

You need to have it scanned.

Thanks for info, rule out hi/lo water temp,oil temp alarm for being motor is not even started when alarm sounds,just key in on pos.,have no resivoir for drive oil,that I can find, " been all through the boat& motor,was not born yesterday either "lol",just trying to repair this ,for I think very minimal problem,don't want Mechanic to get rich over this thanks for any input

Still trying to fix alarm,okguys now I'm leaning towards drive oil for alarm sound,oil level good,just filled it in outdrive came out top hole ,replaced cap gave it 3 pumps & put bottom screw in ,no leaks any where,but 99% sure that I have no extra oil res. For drive , 98. 26' prowler-01-496ho,bravo 1 ,,,,,,,,,,,, alarm still going,,,,,,,, one thread maybe talked about shift into drive " to see what happens". Any how thanks for any info !

Try and locate the plastic drive oil reservoir on your motor. Easy to get to. Locate the MAIN motor oil fill cap and head directly to the right and as soon as the plastic motor cover ends, look down. Usually a white plastic bottle with a black cover.

According to Merc, all 496's have this drive oil reservoir.

Just filling the drive does not solve the alarm. The alarm sensor is attached to the drive bottle on the engine.

Found resivoir ,feel like idiot, solved it,low oil, new to "v8" world & drive,used to outboards! Thanks every body that helped! Probably saved $300+, love this site!!!!!!

Knew it had to be something simple. Glad you found and fixed it, and didnt cost you a ton of $$$$ by taking it to someone.