Help! '86 125 HP CD module failure/#4 cyl no spark nightmare

[Olson]

A Force service center installed a new CD module due to no spark at # 4 cylinder after ruling out all other possibilities. Problem solved. Motor ran great. After about a total of 25 hours of runtime (7 or 8 boating trips) the exact same occurance happened. At about $250 per CD module, that's some expensive boating. I don't know what's causing this problem. Am I alone on this or has anyone else had a similar experience?

 

[SCO]

Re: Help! '86 125 HP CD module failure/#4 cyl no spark nightmare

I had the same experience. Motor wouldn't run, replaced power pack and it ran great. Then 1 cylinder slowly died and I replaced the power pack again to solve. This time it is holding. Mine is OMC and the new pack is OMC. First pack was off brand. I wonder if running the starter with plugs out and not grounded could have fried my first power pack. I read that it is easy to ruin one.

 

[Olson]

Re: Help! '86 125 HP CD module failure/#4 cyl no spark nightmare

SCO,<br />Thanks for the tip. I have ran the starter with plugs out and not grounded at times. Performing a compression test is one example.

 

[lonewolf5347]

Re: Help! '86 125 HP CD module failure/#4 cyl no spark nightmare

ALLEN NEXT TIME IF YOU HAVE TO PURCHASE ANOTHER SWITCHBOX TRY www.seilermarine.com .i mean i hope you don;t have to. the only thing is they say not to use a maintenance-free battery on a outboard.I HAVE A 120 1994 SINCE NEW WENT THREW 3 STATORS @ 3 SWITCH BOXES. JUST REPLACE THE LAST ONE WITH A CDI. UNIT THAT GIVES YOU A 2 YEAR WARRENTY IN THE BEGINING OF THIS SEASON .WILL SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

 

[clanton]

Re: Help! '86 125 HP CD module failure/#4 cyl no spark nightmare

The pack should have a 12 month warranty,and this system was upgraded some time between 87/89 the upgraded pack is blue. The coils probley should be change with the pack.

 

[clanton]

Re: Help! '86 125 HP CD module failure/#4 cyl no spark nightmare

The pack should have a 12 month warranty,and this system was upgraded some time between 87/89 the upgraded pack is blue. The coils probley should be change with the pack.

 

[Olson]

Re: Help! '86 125 HP CD module failure/#4 cyl no spark nightmare

Lonewolf,<br />Thanks for the website. I looked up the cost for a CD pack and it was $175 for my motor. The 2 year warranty has given me a great sigh of relief. Since I've owned this motor, I have gone through 9 or 10 CD module packs. The flywheel, stator, and trigger points are still original. Do you know what caused your motor to go through 3 stators? <br />I've been using maintenance-free (starting) batteries from Battery Warehouse and they have done well. There were a few times in the past where I tried to save some money by purchasing marine (deep cycle) batteries at Costco (Price Club). Nothing wrong with the batteries, but what I found out was that deep cycle batteries do not have the initial high endurance continuous cranking amps as starting batteries do. I presently have a starting battery rated at 875 cold cranking amps (overkill), and I need it. This Force outboard motor I own is such a stubborn pig to start. I've burned up one starter already. Replacing the carbs helped.<br />Again, thanks for the info.

 

[Olson]

Re: Help! '86 125 HP CD module failure/#4 cyl no spark nightmare

Clanton, <br />Thanks for the info. The local dealers where I've been purchasing CD modules have been hush-hush about any warranty. Their policy is no returns on electrical-type parts. Even if its defective, I'm stuck with it.

 

[Olson]

Re: Help! '86 125 HP CD module failure/#4 cyl no spark nightmare

Clanton,<br />What I forgot to mention before was that I have replaced coils along with CD packs much of the time, but not always. Both CD packs and all 4 coils are blue. I remember the earlier CD packs and coils being black. There has only been 1 time where one of the coils has failed.

 

[lonewolf5347]

Re: Help! '86 125 HP CD module failure/#4 cyl no spark nightmare

ALLEN FROM WHAT I HERE MERC. HAD A BULETIN POSTED ALL FORCE @ MERC FROM ABOUT 1987 TO 1997 STATORS THE ONES IN THE BLACK HOUSING

 

[clanton]

Re: Help! '86 125 HP CD module failure/#4 cyl no spark nightmare

Thats because the dealer is to lazy to do the paper work. Maintenance free not rcommended for outboard motor. Did you ever watch the plate that the pack and coils mount on at certain rpms it shakes so much it looks like it will fall off the motor. I working on installing a OMC pack and coil, the pack is lot cheaper.