Wiring Issues

[Samograd]

I recently bought a 87 Bayliner Capri with a 3.0 litre OMC engine. Did a tune up on it, changed the oil, plugs, wires etc. And it seems to start and run good. Idles great but the timing seems a little off. It's sluggish when you give it any gas. Had a car mechanic (doesn't work on boats) look at it. Changed the distributer cap. Then took it off and took the top from the original cap and the bottom from a new one and put that on. Problem is the ignition is screwed up. There's a wire from the engine to the battery with a clip on it. Must be on to start the boat. Turn the key "off" and nothing happens until you unclip the wire. What can I do to eliminate that wire. I guess it keeps burning out the points because of the constant 12 volts to them...? Thoughts... recommendations?? I'm in the Nashville area (Hendersonville actually) and have already spent $300 on a tuneup that didn't really help. So I'm open to suggestions.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Wiring Issues

Welcome to iboats......
You need to get a digital volt meter & start testing....
With the key in the 'run' position, what is the voltage reading at the + side of coil?......
The 'wire from the engine', where is it connected to?.....​

 

[Samograd]

Re: Wiring Issues

It runs from the engine to the positive on the battery.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Wiring Issues

What part of the engine?....​

 

[Don S]

Re: Wiring Issues

Changed the distributer cap. Then took it off and took the top from the original cap and the bottom from a new one and put that on.

What are you talking about here. As far as I know, a cap is one piece, not an upper and lower cap.

There's a wire from the engine to the battery with a clip on it.

Sound like it's a hot wire that can be attached to the + terminal of the coil so the engine will run because there is something wrong with the wiring. Possible a bad ign. switch, kill switch or even a wire connection. Who knows.

Yes, with a hot wire like that you will burn up points. You need to do some troubleshooting of the system.
Get a meter, a service manual, and start tracing wires (Purple wires to be exact) from the ignition switch to the + side of the coil and see where the power stops. There are all kinds of connections, switches, and fuses in it.