99 Ficht 200 won't go above 2000rpm, plug wires glowing. Code 17

Bdoss85

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Joined
Oct 14, 2015
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22
Hello everyone. I recently ran into an issue with my 99 ficht 200. Boat has been running good last few times out then all of a sudden I was coming off plane and check engine light came on and buzzed and went back off and I was put into slow mode. Restarted and was out of slow mode but when I would try and get on plane boat would stutter very bad when I got up to about 2200rpm or so then I would be put back into slow mode and had to reset again. Basically as long as I was at 2000 rpm or below boat idled back in ok. Anything above that and it would break up bad and want to put me back in slow mode if I tried to get on plane. So I had suspected water in fuel was the issue and when i drained the filter it looked horrible (can see my other post). So changed the filters and pumped out 20 gallons of gas off the bottom and refilled with 20 gallons of new gas, cleaned the plugs, did a decarb (cylinders were bad with deposits after having to idle in for 2 1/2 hours). Went back out last night to see if it was fixed, went to get on plane and everything was smooth for about 5 or 10 seconds, almost got on plane up to around 4000rpm, then it cut me back into slow mode and had to idle back in. Pulled the codes and got 12,14, 17, 26 and 28. 17 is the one I'm most concerned about since that's what's throwing me into slow mode. I ran the engine on the muffs tonight to check output at battery and got between 13.7 and 14.1 volts at idle. Battery was at 12.7 volts at rest. Then I looked over the motor while it was running and noticed the plugs around the spark plug were glowing blue, is it normal to be able to see the glow around the boot on the plug? Also noticed that the bottom plug wire on the port side appeared to be grounding on surrounding cable and bolts that it was near and when i touched it I could see the glow through the cable. I'm pretty sure it needs to be replaced but my question is could this be the culprit of my code 17 and causing the motor to break up under load above 2000 rpm? Anything else I should look at to try and diagnose? Sorry for the long post but trying to give as much info as possible. Thanks in advance!
 

Bdoss85

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Joined
Oct 14, 2015
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22
Oh, and I did replace the spark plugs before this issue began. Plugs are new and gapped at .028. Boat was running what seemed to be ok before I changed the plugs.
 

fhhuber

Lieutenant
Joined
Jun 19, 2014
Messages
1,365
The blue glow sounds like arcing around the plugs. You probably have insulation breakdown and need new plug wires.

Flexing an older plug wire can crack the insulation and then its pretty much over.
 

Bdoss85

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Oct 14, 2015
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Sorry forgot to mention that as well. Yes I indexed them and torqued them to around 18ft lbs. the port side were almost even with the injectors but the starboard side plugs are around the 10-11 o'clock position. Is corona normal? I'm fairly mechanically inclined when it comes to cars and inboard/outboards but this is my first outboard. Still a lot to learn. Also could that or the wires arcing out on bolts/other wires in its vicinity cause the issues I'm experiencing? Thanks so far!
 

Faztbullet

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 2, 2008
Messages
15,934
Code 17 is low injector voltage....could be the power panel has broke solder joint effecting voltage to EMM
 

Bdoss85

Cadet
Joined
Oct 14, 2015
Messages
22
Ohh OK. I gotcha. Is there a specific place for me too check that or a test I can do or am I likely going to have to get a dealer to hook it up to a laptop? A while back when my uncle, which is who I bought it from, replaced the fuel gauge he did something while replacing it and blew a fuse in the main box. It was replaced and ran fine after though. When it first started acting up It seemed like a fuel or ignition issue, almost felt like a continuance of misfires.
 
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