Force 125 won't start

[sergioy]

I've got a Force 125 hp that will not start. I replaced the ignition switch and charged the battery. I checked the interlock switch, but still get nothing. Not sure what to check next.

 

[SkiDad]

http://www.outboardignition.com/ look under force 125 and then look under the correct stator for your year - there will be a PDF that explains how to diagnose.

if you are not getting any spark on any cylinder my bet is the stator - but use that doc and a $10-20 multimeter to verify the problem - it has helped me.

 

[lmuss53]

First check for spark, you need a hot, blue, sharp spark 3/8 of an inch long on each cylinder. Do a compression test on each cylinder, look for 100 plus pounds on each cylinder with a 10% difference at most. If you have compression and spark try squirting a little premixed fuel NOT ETHER. in each carb to make sure you have fuel in the cylinders. Compression plus fuel plus spark, she should go. Try that and get back to us.
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Make sure the kill switch is in the right position, and that the main fuse is not blown.

Skidad, great troubleshooting sight, thanks for a good link.

 

[sergioy]

First check for spark, you need a hot, blue, sharp spark 3/8 of an inch long on each cylinder. Do a compression test on each cylinder, look for 100 plus pounds on each cylinder with a 10% difference at most. If you have compression and spark try squirting a little premixed fuel NOT ETHER. in each carb to make sure you have fuel in the cylinders. Compression plus fuel plus spark, she should go. Try that and get back to us.
.
Make sure the kill switch is in the right position, and that the main fuse is not blown.

Skidad, great troubleshooting sight, thanks for a good link.

Where is the main fuse?
I don't mean to sound ignorant, but I have never dealt with this motor. It actually belongs to my neighbor and he hasn't used it in 3 years. So I am seeing if it's worth taking off his hands or not.

Thanks Skidad, I will look that site and see if the stator is my issue.

 

[lmuss53]

What does it do? Will it turn over? Is it still on his boat? Are the controls hooked up? What year is it? Merc or US Marine controls?

 

[jerryjerry05]

It's a 125 so it's Force controls.
We need any info you can add.
Like turning over or not?
​Compression test.
Spark test.
Circuit breaker on the motor.
Depending on the motor there could be 2 of them.
Check the fuses under the dash.

Check for TDC

If it ran before it was set up.
Then the electronics aren't usually the problem but the fuel system could be clogged?

Drop the top float bowl and check for crud.

 

[sergioy]

Finally got it figured out. The interlock switch was not being depressed. I was able to manually press the switch and check the pressure on each cylinder. So I went ahead and purchased the motor from my neighbor, Actually I purchased the entire boat. So once I get the motor off of it, I will see if I can get rid of it pretty quickly.

Thanks for you help.