Sorry G, not that familar with e techs, but , found this over on another site, might shed some light
E-TEC ENGINES
When Evinrude introduced the E-TEC engine in c.2003 they maintained compatibility with their System Check Tachometer and System Check gauges. The E-TEC engine continued use of the MWS wiring, and a connector was provided for connecting a System Check gauge.
While the E-TEC engine maintained compatibility with this system, the manner in which the various signals in the MWS harness for the System Check gauge was changed. The signals no longer originate directly from the various sensors. Instead the sensors are connected to the engine mangement module (EMM). The EMM interprets the sensor status, and the EMM generates the warning signals on the four lamp circuits. The condition in the E-TEC engine which will generate one of the four warning signals are notably different, and many more sensors are employed. As a result, interpretation of the four warning lamps is different with the E-TEC than with older engines.
Also, the EMM of the E-TEC can stop the engine from running and prevent it from being restarted. This is a notable change from System Check. In the prior system, the operator was responsible for evaluating the warning indicators and deciding to stop the engine, and the only alarm condition that affected engine operation was the S.L.O.W. engine speed limit invoked when the temperature was overheating. Now the EMM can force the E-TEC to shut off if the alarm condition warrants.
The EMM Operator's Guide explains the meaning of the System Check instrument's four alarm indicator lamps, but it is useful to review it:
NO OIL indicates an oil delivery problem. The sensor is part of the Oil Injector pump. When this alarm occurs, the engine enters Speed Adjusting Failsafe Electronics or S.A.F.E. mode. In S.A.F.E. mode the engine speed is limited to 1,200-RPM. The engine can be run for as long as five hours in this mode without oil. This is intended to provide a get-home feature.
WATER TEMP (sometimes shown as HOT) indicates an overheat condition in either the engine or in the EMM itself. This is a notable change from the previous system. In addition, this indicator can be shown in two modes: flashing or continuous. If the indicator is flashing, the condition is dangerous for the engine to continue running. The EMM shuts down the engine completely. If the indicator is continuously illuminated, the engine enters Speed Adjusting Failsafe Electronics or S.A.F.E. mode. In S.A.F.E. mode the engine speed is limited to 1,200-RPM, but the engine can continue to run.
CHECK ENGINE (sometimes shown as FAULT or CHK ENG) indicates a variety of other fault condition in the engine. There are three modes. A flashing light indicates a problem related to the fuel system. The E-TEC will be shut off by the EMM and cannot be restarted. A continuous light with S.A.F.E mode indicates an engine problem, but the engine can continue to run at reduced speed while returning to shore. A continuous light with no S.A.F.E. mode indicates a problem has been detected which will require further investigation by a dealer to resolve as soon as possible.
LOW OIL indicates the oil level in the reservoir has fallen below about one-quarter-full.
MORE DETAILS
The relationship between various engine fault conditions and which System Check annunciator lamp will illuminate is given in the SERVICE MANUAL for the E-TEC engine in a detailed chart that maps approximately 150 fault codes identifications to illumination of a System Check lamp.
Further insight into engine faults can be gained by interpretation of the EMM LED indicator lamps. The functions of these lamps in also explained in the SERVICE MANUAL.
I just copied and pasted that from continous wave site, so don t know how helpful or accurate it is,
Good luck