I have a 1987 Mercury 45 (Classic 50) engine on a Bass Tracker TX-17 boat. Currently, I have been having firing/electrical problems in the #3 and #4 spark plugs. When I crank the motor, the Fuel mixture comes out of the exhaust/prop and smokes badly when I turn off the motor.<br /><br />Recently, I found out thru my mechanic that I needed a switchbox. He told me that my #3 and #4 plugs were not firing correctly and were not getting enough voltage.<br /><br />Background info:<br /><br />I have or have had a new Trigger put on (November 2003); a new Switchbox last month; and a new Rectifier. When I put the Trigger on, the boat ran fine up until August of 2004. Then, I began to notice fuel bubbles oozing up through the water and fuel on the top of the water.<br /><br />Therefore, I pulled the boat out of the water and had my mechanic do some tune up work and he told me about the switchbox. He said that he put a new switchbox and rectifier on and the motor ran fine and he could tune it up. He said he would leave it on but for $410, I told him to take it off, that I could not afford that right now. I then bought the new switchbox and rectifier myself and put them on the motor last week. I grounded the switchbox and did everything the instructions said to do, and the motor continues to burn/fire only the #1 and #2 cylinders, and not the #3 and #4 cylinders.<br /><br />Tests:<br /><br />Since then, I ran some electrical tests. I checked the ohms to the Stator wires. I first checked the Blue-to-Blue/White wires. I turned the key on and My Radio Shack meter read 20 (Rx1000). It would get up to 50 and flutter when I tried to crank the motor. I got the same readings on the Red-to-Red/White wires.<br /><br />Next, I took a Circuit/Current Probe Tester and grounded it to the power head/motor. I then began to check the Stator wires going to the Switchbox. I touched the Red wire and the bulb lit up. I then touched the Red/White wire and the bulb lit up. Next, I touched the Blue wire and the motor tried to shut off. Last of all, I touched the Blue/White wire and the motor again tried to shut off. Is this right? Should it be doing this?<br /><br />I ran some similar tests w/ my Probe Tester on the positive terminals at the coil packs leading to the spark plugs. The bulb lit up for the #1 and #2 coils, but, I could only hear an electrical connection on the #3 coil (and the bulb did not light up). The #4 coil did not light up when I touched the positive terminals.<br /><br />It is my belief that the Stator needs replacing. I am new to this, but through my research of this problem, all of the symptoms point toward either a faulty Switchbox or Stator.<br /><br />I need any available info I can get. I am new to this and have a Seloc Manual for this motor. I have done some of the electrical tests but I am unsure of what to be looking for (I only have a meter purchased from Radio Shack). I do not wish to spend too much time and money on this. I want to get back to fishing!
