2014 Honda BF250A MALFUNCTION INDICATOR (RED) BUZZER Alarm

Can anyoneexplane the alarm (see below) I am getting and how to fix it?
Thanks

(panel-mount/top-mount types)
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR
(RED)
BUZZER
When the engine control system detects an engine control system malfunction, the malfunction indicator turns on and the buzzer sounds at one-second intervals.

When are you getting it? Full power? At idle? A little more details will help out a lot. For example, if what you are describing is happening after running and either returning to idle or if at idle it could be a bad O2 sensor.

You need to figure out how to pull fault codes on that engine using the service connector. Getting the fault code will help you pinpoint the issue. I think it's a slightly different procedure than with the 200/225. So hopefully, a 250 owner or tech will pipe in and explain how to do it.

In the past the alarm first came on when idling at the dock so I would turn motor off and restart motor and never get the alarm again. This was an intermittent thing and not consistent.

Yesterday the alarm came on at about 1/2 to 3/4 power so I stopped turned motor off and restarted motor no alarm until about 1/2 to 3/4 to full power.
Alarms every one second.

Went to boat ramp took boat home. I checked everything I could think of and went for test run today and no alarm for about two hours of running full power to 1/2 and slow troll no alarm. Then alarm started. I anchored up turned motor off and fished for about three hours then started motor up and went to boat ramp no alarm.

Not sure what I have and do not have a Honda Outboard Motor Mechanic close to me but need one that can read the codes.

Thanks,

You do not need a mechanic to pull codes, you can do it yourself. On the BF 225 it's simply a case of shunting the service connector with a paper clip and reading the blinks on the MIL light. However, I think there is another step in that process for the 250.

Ian - can you post the procedure?

Bill, it's the same as the 225 if they have analogue gauges and standard warnings lights which this one appears to have. It's a safe bet tho that the O2 heater circuit has failed causing an O2 sensor failure at idle and low exhaust temps, judging by the fault description.

Thanks for the help everyone.

Based on Ian's post, if you send an e-mail to me at [email protected], I'll return a write-up of the correct procedure for pulling codes and another file telling you what the codes mean.

Thanks Ian and CHawk.

CHawk I sent the email.

I just responded to your e-mail.

Got it.

So I found I had a bad O2 Sensor. Thanks for the help.