Ignition/Electrical Issue

[TJ Phillips]

Ok now I am even more confused than before so I am trying to see if any of you can help me. I have a 1978 105 horse Chrysler outboard. I tokk it to the lake and it took awhile for it to start but finally did and ran fine for awhile but then would cut in and out at full throttle.
So I figured I would try and start with the easy stuff and syphon the fuel out (sat all winter) and replace the spark plugs. So after I did it wouldnt fire so I went to see if I was getting any spark (I could smell fuel) and didnt have any. So I out the old plugs back in and no spark.
Further into my attempt to troubleshoot I checked to see if the ignition had power going to it and it did. So I hooked a timing light up and put the spark plug choard around the coil wire and nothing. I figured either the coil or the ignition had went out on me.
So after doing some thinking for a few days I thought I would try again go to turn the key and boom the thing starts on the first try. Now I am scared to take it out on the water for fear it will quit or not run right. Any suggestions?

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Ignition/Electrical Issue

Do good spark test and a compression test.Check ALL connections and grounds.J

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Ignition/Electrical Issue

Look under the flywheel where the wires go to the CD unit. There is nothing there to hold them down. Sometimes they rise up, fray, and short out on the flywheel, popping the circuit breaker. After a while, the breaker resets (if it is the steel can type) and the engine will start and run perfectly until the wire again vibrates into the flywheel. This puzzles and frustrates the owner to no end

 

[TJ Phillips]

Re: Ignition/Electrical Issue

I checked all the connection the only one I found loose or off was the tach wire was off from the tach side. I dont know what you mean by a good spark test? I have a timing light but Im not sure how to use it on a boat (I am new to the boating world). I dont have any tools or the know how on the compression test I would assume you would have to have some sort of gauge that hooks into the spark plug hole???? Anyhow, thanks for the suggestions, a little more help would be great!

 

[jaybirddog11]

Re: Ignition/Electrical Issue

I had a similar problem. My solution was a new CD module. I am not saying this is your problem, but it sounds like what I went through. I was finally able to test the CD module and have not had the same issue since. You should be able to do a search on this forum to find out how to test it. The tools are minimal and inexpensive.

 

[TJ Phillips]

Re: Ignition/Electrical Issue

Once again thanks for the reply Frank. I checked the wires for frays and found nothing. but I did take your advice and wrapped them in electrical tape and zip tied them down so they could not hit the flywheel. Any other suggestions?
Thanks,
TJ Phillips