98 200 opti # 6 ignition trbl

[bamspringtx]

Searched past forums - no luck.<br />Trouble is #6 ignition, that is the code that keeps coming back. Have swapped plug, plug wires, and coil. Trouble still #6. Mech said it is sparking, he thought it was just a bogus code. I can pull the plug out and it looks wet. Motor runs, but won't go above 4400 rpm, and is slow on the holeshot. <br />I was running it wot along the dam trying to get all the fuel out so could put new gas in and all of a sudden motor came to life and went from 4400 to 5200 rpm's. Was down to about 1/8 tank, took it to get new gas. Next day went back out on the lake and trouble was back? <br />Is it getting too much fuel in that cyl. or is there not enough spark?

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: 98 200 opti # 6 ignition trbl

Welcome to iboats. <br /><br />I seem to recall the possibility that the computer gets the error signal 1 cylinder late with certain failures on early Opti's. The failed coil could be on the cylinder that fires just before #6. That would be #5. Take the coil that was removed from #6 and put it on #5. I'll bet your problem goes away. <br /><br />It could also be a weak battery. They're very tempermental if the battery is insufficient in size or just worn out. You get phantom faults, although I don't recall that being one of them and it should be one of several.<br /><br />The possibility you don't want to know about is the computer. The coil drivers are in there and if there's a problem with a coil driver, a coil code will log. That would mean a new computer. Rare, but it happens I hear.

 

[Capt Ken]

Re: 98 200 opti # 6 ignition trbl

Is it saying #6 ignition or is the #6 light lit on the panel of the DDT? If its the light, then its a sensor problem not #6 cylinder.

 

[bamspringtx]

Re: 98 200 opti # 6 ignition trbl

Ken, I did not actually see the ddt, just going by what the mech told me. So I'm not sure. <br /><br /> #6 is a wet looking plug. Mech said it is firing. I never been able to see it fire since that takes 2 people. I swapped plugs, ran a few mins, pulled plug and the new plug looked wet. Swapped coil and wire with #4 ( I think). Plug still looked wet after that.<br /><br />I'll have to try the battery, it is the original! Last year was the 1st time the battery ever had slow response, but it seemed to charge up. I was planning in changing it this year. Also started having this trouble at the beginning of last boating season. Coincidence?

 

[Capt Ken]

Re: 98 200 opti # 6 ignition trbl

Rather than check all grounds, go ahead and remove and clean them. One of the biggest problems I've seen with many of the EFI's are caused by bad ground wires. A bad ground will drive even the best of mechanics batty.<br />Did the mechanic go thru the manual test with the DDT? That would have killed each cylinder one at a time while it was running and would have told you if it was indeed firing or not.<br />Hey Bam, how ya like that Wildcat? Got a 03 28RK and what few times a year we get to use it, love it.

 

[bamspringtx]

Re: 98 200 opti # 6 ignition trbl

Ken, We love the rv. Has been in the shop getting axles replaced. Alko axles known defective on many '04 models. Should have it back soon.<br /><br />I believe that is how the mech did the check. I too believe it is firing. The motor does not sound different - like missing. I think it is either getting too much fuel, or just a weak spark. I had a similar trouble on a motorcycle. It was getting too much fuel and kept the cylinder from firing. But it was a clogged idle jet in a carb that was causing that. This being fuel inj...I am at a loss. Could an injector actually spary too much fuel?

 

[Capt Ken]

Re: 98 200 opti # 6 ignition trbl

Could hang in the open position which would pour fuel into the cylinder but I don't think that happened.

 

[bamspringtx]

Re: 98 200 opti # 6 ignition trbl

New battery did not fix trouble. I checked all grounds, and r/r all connectors. Everything looks great. My trouble is that at idle on a water hose, it is very hard to tell there is a problem. So everything I do I have to go and put boat in the water to see any change. Checked resistance of both fuel and direct injectors. They are within specs.<br /><br />Is there a way to test with a dvm to see what is coming out of the ecm to the coil?

 

[gss036]

Re: 98 200 opti # 6 ignition trbl

http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum4/HTML/004463.html <br />Go over to the Whaler site and read the posts there and print them out for your dealer/mechanic. Maybe he can contact mercury and get a fix for the problem, it is not an isolated case with the Opti-Max engines as you will see be the posts.

 

[bamspringtx]

Re: 98 200 opti # 6 ignition trbl

Ok. I replaced the spark plugs, and that seems to be the fix. I have been out on the water 2 times since and have not had any trouble. Something so simple, but at $13.00 pr plug, I was hesitant to just replace them. Keeping my fingers crossed. <br /><br />I have learned so much from this website. THANKS to all who share their knowledge.