99 Rinker mercruiser 5.0 stalled no start

[jcsandsrt]

99 Rinker 5.0 mercruiser Thunderbolt ignition. Was out on the river yesterday. Boat was running flawless. Was just floating and started up first roll several times to move away from bank. Tried to move again, boat started great, moved about 20 feet and engine starting surging and then quit. Waited and few minutes, tried starting again took many rolls and several pump of the throttle. It did start but was still surging, I pumped the throttle till it smoothed out and tried to drive towards the trailer but it died again and now will not start at all. I let it set on trailer overnight and tried to start this morning, it just cranks over. I am hoping someone has had a similar issue to give me a good place to start. Thanks in advance.

 

[alldodge]

Howdy

Need to find out what the motor is NOT getting, gas or spark. Look down the throat of the carb and pump the throttle to see if gas is going in. If you see gas, put a voltmeter on the positive terminal of the coil and check for 12V with the Key ON.

 

[jcsandsrt]

Ok, it is getting gas wit the throttle. 11.93 volts to the positive side of the coil.

 

[jcsandsrt]

Pulled a spark plug.....no spark. I have been watching videos on how to test the coil with a multimeter. I have never really used one till now. Does anyone know the specs for testing the coil?

 

[alldodge]

Most the time its never the coil. Run thru the troubleshooting below and it should lead you to the issue

 

[Bondo]

Tried to move again, boat started great, moved about 20 feet and engine starting surging and then quit. Waited and few minutes, tried starting again took many rolls and several pump of the throttle. It did start but was still surging, I pumped the throttle till it smoothed out and tried to drive towards the trailer but it died again and now will not start at all. I let it set on trailer overnight and tried to start this morning, it just cranks over.

Ayuh,..... Welcome Aboard,..... Sure sounds like a fuel problem,...

I'd pull the fuel filter, 'n inspect it's contents for anything but clean fresh gasoline,....

 

[jcsandsrt]

I thought fuel also, but now have discovered that I do not have spark.

 

[jcsandsrt]

Checked red/white wire, it had 11.0 volts going to it. I will pick up a spark gap tool today. Used the multimeter to check coil Ohms. 2.7 On neg and positive test and 10.8 on neg to high tension post.

 

[alldodge]

With only 11V you have a bad connection or a weak battery

Coil check

 

[jcsandsrt]

I have cranked motor alot. Battery is probably getting weak. Would 2.7 on primary keep it from sparking?

 

[alldodge]

It should still spark and your higher reading could be from not making a real good connection. All that said, if you go thru the complete troubleshooting guide it should show you the problem. You could use a spark plug instead of a gap tester, just keep the body of the plug grounded.

 

[AShipShow]

Checked red/white wire, it had 11.0 volts going to it. I will pick up a spark gap tool today. Used the multimeter to check coil Ohms. 2.7 On neg and positive test and 10.8 on neg to high tension post.

Ummmmmm..... You shouldn't have any continuity from negative to high tension post... This should read OL on your multimeter... If that is true, then your coil is no bueno. Even if you measured 10.8 Ohms from hi tension to positive, thats still no good... The resistance on your secondary coil should be in the kilo-ohm range.

 

[jcsandsrt]

The tests showed that I need to replace the ignition sensor in the distributor. Is this a difficult job?

 

[alldodge]

The tests showed that I need to replace the ignition sensor in the distributor. Is this a difficult job?

Nope, easy peeze
Remove distributor cap and rotor
Disconnect wires
Remove the two screw holding the module and lift it out

Install new module in reverse order.
The new module should have three wires and one is a ground. They did this to help the module last and work more effectively.

 

[jcsandsrt]

Thank you!

 

[jcsandsrt]

Installed new sensor yesterday. Engine fired right up!! Thank you for the help!