Ignition no start, need experienced opinion!

[supr_fly03]

Hello all, here are my boat stats:

1. 1999 Engine, 305 2 barrel carb, mercruiser

2. Mercruiser alpha 1 gen II

3. Engine does not start due to no spark.

-I used a troubleshooting chart I found while searching and it came down to "replace coil with a known good coil" then repeat procedure. Then it says if the engine does not start, replace the ignition module.

-Well I put a new coil from NAPA on at the end of last year, it only has about 5 hours on it. So I dont think it is that, but a new ignition module is $350!!

-The boat ran fine two months ago. I have replaced the bellows, water pump, and all of the gauges and now I have a no start.

-I dont want to throw parts at it either way (coil or module) and I am just trying to get the boat running again so I can sell it. I am moving in less than a month and I cant take it with me!

Thanks in advance!
Scott

 

[Don S]

Re: Ignition no start, need experienced opinion!

Try the coil, if that doesn't work, replace the module.
Just because you don't want to spend the money and planning on selling the boat doesn't change the troubleshooting procedures.

 

[supr_fly03]

Re: Ignition no start, need experienced opinion!

Ok, I was leaning that way. I will head up to my local Mercruiser dealer tomorrow and pick one up.

 

[AZSenza]

Re: Ignition no start, need experienced opinion!

Dumb question but....is the emergency cut-off switch in the "Run" position? Dont just look either, flip it to off then back to run to make sure it makes the contacts.

 

[Riegfrghtl]

Re: Ignition no start, need experienced opinion!

You said you replaced gauges, did you by chance mix the wiring up on the tachometer. That may cause your no start issue!

 

[supr_fly03]

Re: Ignition no start, need experienced opinion!

Yes, I replaced all of the gauges including the tach. I did not pull the dash to check that, I just assumed that it was all good.

In this thread:
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=468105&page=1

Don stated, "Did you disconnect the gray tach lead from the coils - terminal, if not, do so and retry the tests."

I only have a grey wire on the neg terminal and on the positive terminal a ppl one. Should I remove the grey wire and run it strait to ground? Am I missing a wire that I need?

 

[dubs283]

Re: Ignition no start, need experienced opinion!

just remove the grey lead from the coil (-), it is the signal for the tach

if your tach is faulty/wired incorrectly it could be the cause of your no spark issue

i too would be suspect of the newly installed guages causing no spark, be sure to check all your work

 

[Plan "B"]

Re: Ignition no start, need experienced opinion!

I had the switch that makes the motor start to stall for a second when you take it out of gear go bad on mine, it gave me no spark at all. I un-hooked it and then I had spark. This may not be your problem but it is easy to check for.

 

[supr_fly03]

Re: Ignition no start, need experienced opinion!

just remove the grey lead from the coil (-), it is the signal for the tach

if your tach is faulty/wired incorrectly it could be the cause of your no spark issue

i too would be suspect of the newly installed guages causing no spark, be sure to check all your work

I got a new coil for it today and no change.

If I remove the grey wire, nothing will be on the neg terminal of the coil. Will it still work?

 

[supr_fly03]

Re: Ignition no start, need experienced opinion!

What wires should I find connected to the coil?

I have a grey wire on the neg and a ppl wire on the pos.

If I remove the grey wire, will the coil still work?

 

[Don S]

Re: Ignition no start, need experienced opinion!

You can't just disconnect the gray wire if you only have one wire.

Check to ensure that tachometer GRY lead is not
shorted to ground (-) at the tachometer or within the
harness.

The above is the first step in the troubleshooting chart. You have to disconnect the gray wire at the tach and then check for spark. If no spark, then disconnect the gray wire from the coil and disconnect the terminal going to the ignition module. Then check the wire with an ohm meter and see if it's shorted to ground. If it checks out ok, then step one is complete.

 

[jackd1023]

Re: Ignition no start, need experienced opinion!

Did you happen to check the run/stop switch, pull it if possible and use a jumper then check it.

 

[supr_fly03]

Re: Ignition no start, need experienced opinion!

I figured it out. I was using the wrong troubleshooting chart so I was skipping the grey wire step. Once I dug up a skematic I traced it back to the tach, I found I had the power feed and signal wire backwards on the back of the tach. I guess when I replaced the tach I got em backwards. Once i swapped them, it started right up.

Thanks for your replys.