How can a switchbox go bad just sitting there?

[ba_50]

Take a 50 hp 2 stroke 3 cyl. Mariner for example I think they call the box with all the wires going to it a switchbox.

We put this motor on that back porch and after 3 years it lost the spark.

What would cause it to go back under these circumstances?

 

[Laddies]

Re: How can a switchbox go bad just sitting there?

There are many other things that can cause lost of spark why do you think it's the switch box?

 

[woody66912]

Re: How can a switchbox go bad just sitting there?

yes many things can cause a no spark condition.
if you live in a climate that has wide temperature swings this can be the cause of this.but in your case.look under the flywheel if the stator is black in color than this is most likely the failed part.the black stators did not take to well the temp swings

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: How can a switchbox go bad just sitting there?

You mention a back porch. Are you checking for spark with the motor in an upright position?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: How can a switchbox go bad just sitting there?

If this is a tiller motor, do you have the kill switch lanyard attached? No lanyard, no spark. As for electrical things that die, ever walked out of a room, turned off the light and the next time you entered the room the bulb was burned out. Electrical items can die as they are turned off as well as on. As they say "stuff happens".

 

[omcboats]

Re: How can a switchbox go bad just sitting there?

Most of the time a switch box (power pack) fails when the key is switched off. Switching the key off grounds the capacitor inside of it and that is when it usually pops. 99% of the packs I have replaced came with the statement..."it ran just fine last time I used it".

 

[ba_50]

Re: How can a switchbox go bad just sitting there?

To clarify, the power pack was bad. The back porch is subjected to hot humid weather in the Florida summers. The electric start motor was on a stand.

Is this capaciter problem apply to all makes of power packs?

 

[Laddies]

Re: How can a switchbox go bad just sitting there?

On most Mercury outboards the kill switch shorts the low speed winding or the rectifier network not the capacitor.