New Stator, Trigger, Harnesses, Plugs, and Still no spark

Whats Happening Everyone,

So I've been restoring a 1969 Glastron with a 1980 Mercury 80HP 4cyl SN#5583xxx. I've had the boat for 3 weeks and 100% of my free time has been tinkering with the engine. The engine started fine when I first got the boat but ran REALLY sluggish almost like something was holding it back. The cylinder kept flooding too. Come to find out one of the carburetor linkages was detached and no opening correctly.

Here is what I have changed so far.

Stator
Trigger
4x Ignition Coils
Wiring Harnesses
Rectifier
Impeller
Lower Unit Lube
Rebuilt/cleaned carbs - New floats (adjusted properly to 11/16")

These components were replaced over the course of 2 1/2 weeks. After each repair I would make sure that I started to engine to see if it made any difference. AFTER I installed everything but BEFORE I installed the stator, trigger, and harnesses the engine sounded amazing almost like a pissed off weed wacker. It started with the slightest turn of the key and ran great, I was excited to take it out. The day I went to take it out I put it on the muffs to make sure it still sounded good and BAM no start no spark on ANY cylinder. I spent the whole day looking it over to find out I had some rotten trigger/stator wires the were unrepairable since they were so close to the top. I thought maybe it was being grounded out off the engine or something so I ordered and installed a new trigger, stator, and harnesses for peace of mind. Still no spark... I'm stumped...

I've pulled the kill switch and tested... No spark.... I pulled the yellow wires off the rectifier and test... No spark... The grounds are good.

With a 10$ voltmeter from walmart I tested the connections. The Stator is pumping proper juice when turning over, the needle moves like it should with the trigger connections. When I test the positive lead to the ignition coil its noting at all. There getting no juice. What could be causing this? Maybe a Powerpack???

Does anyone have any ideas?


Thanks,
Will

Re: New Stator, Trigger, Harnesses, Plugs, and Still no spark

Will, The switchbox stores and steps up voltage, and when the trigger signals, dumps voltage into the coil. There is no steady +12VDC like on a points/coil ign in an old car. Disconnect the black/yellow wire at the switchbox and see if spark returns. If so, boat wiring is suspect.

Re: New Stator, Trigger, Harnesses, Plugs, and Still no spark

I've looked over the wiring over and over. The stator and trigger wires match up exactly with the switch box... all the wires including grounds are new. That's good info to know about the coils. I've already tried to pull the black wire with the yellow lines off the switch box with no success.

Re: New Stator, Trigger, Harnesses, Plugs, and Still no spark

The CDIElectronics Web Site will have a troubleshooting procedure for that ADI ignition. Good luck.

Re: New Stator, Trigger, Harnesses, Plugs, and Still no spark

I was having this problem with my 66 merc 950 I made new plug wires reset my points put a new brush in dist cap and still no spark... I found that my wiring harnesses were not pushed together all th way causing it to have no spark... Might be worth checking..

Re: New Stator, Trigger, Harnesses, Plugs, and Still no spark

Good advice. I'll look at that when I start working on it today. My switchbox should be here by 315 est today. I'm gonna do a thorough inspection after installation of all wires, grounds, and points.

Re: New Stator, Trigger, Harnesses, Plugs, and Still no spark

Got the engine running properly. It ended up being the switch box. It runs like a champ. Took it out for a test ride to fine tune the carbs. I can start working on the cosmetics of the boat now. Thanks folks I'll be around.