4.3 no spark

[1stevel]

Getting the boat ready for the season and I am having a hard time getting it started. The motor was fogged before I stored it for the winter season so I removed all plugs and cranked it around a few times to get any left over oil out, replaced all plugs with new ones and it just cranks and cranks. It did putter once or twice but that's it. I pulled the coil wire from the coil and looked for spark as i was cranking it and didn't see any.
its a 1990 Glastron 4.3 with a thunder bolt ignition. Any quick tips? or most common thing to go? It ran perfect before I put it away for the winter. Thanks

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: 4.3 no spark

man overboard switch at the helm?

 

[Don S]

Re: 4.3 no spark

 

[1stevel]

Re: 4.3 no spark

checked and pushed button in and out a few times.

 

[1stevel]

Re: 4.3 no spark

Hi Guys, ok so far i have used Dons trouble shooting chart and came up with a problem at the coil, I took it out and bench tested it and found little to no spark at all coming from the coil. My question is can i use a car coil to see if my boat starts until i get a marine coil? Thanks

 

[ussoldier_1984]

Re: 4.3 no spark

ehhh I used a automotive coil within the specs of the coil on the thunderbolt ignition on my boat. it only lasted 2 trips out. moisture immediatly started rusting it and made it leak the oil inside had to paddle back the 2nd trip out deffinitly get the correct coil from a mercruiser dealer its only 50 or 60 bucks. if your using it for testing purposes It would work but dont use it for on the water

 

[1stevel]

Re: 4.3 no spark

Still no spark at the coil even with a temporary coil, i ordered a new ignition module and marine coil and it should be here today, hopefully this puppy will fire up once i install it.

 

[1stevel]

Re: 4.3 no spark

ok, new coil, new ignition module...............no spark

 

[1stevel]

Re: 4.3 no spark

after checking all of the wires, connections an such i now have spark coming out of the coil, still wont start, i removed one of the spark plug wires and hooked a spare plug to it and grounded it out. It has spark then it gets weaker and weaker then no spark at all on the plug while cranking the engine? any ideas? i'm going nuts here trying to figure this out.

 

[1stevel]

Re: 4.3 no spark

i installed a new ignition sensor, cap and rotor today and still no spark. I have new wires to install next but i doubt its the problem. anyone??

 

[Bondo]

Re: 4.3 no spark

i installed a new ignition sensor, cap and rotor today and still no spark. I have new wires to install next but i doubt its the problem. anyone??

Ayuh,... Go back to Don's diagnostic tree, instead of just Throwing parts at it...

 

[1stevel]

Re: 4.3 no spark

Finally figured it out...............bad tach, replaced it and it fired right up!

 

[1989searayBR]

Re: 4.3 no spark

If the Tach was grounded it will pull the coil down to a "no Fire"