I may have shorted my 1988 Mariner 100HP

[w2much]

In my haste to get her going after cleaning the carbs I placed the Pos And Neg to the two grounds on the starter. I did not reverse the polarity but did have the Pos and Neg to the starter very breifly(spark told me something was wrong,). I just purchased the motor and was told all was fine. I have no spark at all. Could I have burnt the trigger and switch box that quickly? Even with the harness unhooked there is no spark. I have followed a few post today checking the rectifier, shut off switch and tilt switch to no avail. I still have no spark to any hole. I have a manual but most test call for a digital meter which I don't have. Are there any other preliminary test or fixes I might try before the purchase of a digital meter?

 

[ricksrster]

Re: I may have shorted my 1988 Mariner 100HP

When you try to start it does the motor spin? There is a fuse on the motor wiring harness that could have blown.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: I may have shorted my 1988 Mariner 100HP

You probably didn't harm the ignition system. It's separate from the starting and charging systems. If yours has a dead-man tether switch, make sure it is in the Run position.

 

[w2much]

Re: I may have shorted my 1988 Mariner 100HP

rickster, WillyBWright, Thank you for your replies. Appreciated more than you know.The starter cranks that baby but no spark at all.I tried the deadmans switch in both positions and then unhooked the harness at the black plug, figuring if it was a switch problem in the controls this would eliminate that possibility. I also unhooked the rectifier to see if that might be the issue. I also checked the fuse it was or appeared to be good. Are there other switches, checks or bypasses which may be in order.There is a small black box near the oil reserve tank with two blue wires coming out of it that go nowhere might these be an issue? I'm dying to here this baby purr. Thank you in advance for any replies. Could not own a boat without this website.

 

[canadian_fisher]

Re: I may have shorted my 1988 Mariner 100HP

Hey W2Much.<br /><br />Not sure if you have solved this problem yet. My advise would be to spend the money on a MultiMeter and a Service Manual. I have diagnosed some serious problems with a simple DVM.<br /><br />If you have no spark, (at minimum) you need to verify voltage from the stator to the Power pack as per manual. Did I mention to buy the Service Manual ?<br /><br />Good Luck. CF.