Is this an electrical problem?

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Ryan H

Cadet
Joined
Apr 20, 2009
Messages
14
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I have a 1979 19' Thundercraft 165hp merc. I start the motor fine and it idles fine in neutral. I have tried twice to reverse the boat and it works but when I try to put the throtle into forward the boat stalls. The weird thing is the boat will not start again for an extended period of time. There is plenty of gas from the throtle. When I try to start again the engine is turning over but something is not sparking the plugs. I was not trying to start the boat with the power switch on and I don't know if that would affect the stalling in forward? There are 5 switches infront of the throtle for the lights, blower and power. Can I find an operators manual for this boat? The plugs and distributor are with new points. I don' t know what to do. Please help!!
 
Silvertip

Silvertip

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Re: Is this an electrical problem?

The operators manual for the boat, if there is one, would not tell you a thing about the engine. Boat manufacturers have no idea what engine will be installed on the boat so they cover the boat only and even then it covered more safety stuff than boat related info. The owners manual for the engine is what you are looking for. An engine needs spark, fuel, and air and it all needs to happen at the correct time so if one or more of the three is missing, the engine won't run. You need to determine if it spark that is not happening or lack of fuel. Guessing doesn't help us. We need positive information otherwise you end up with us chasing our tails.
 
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Ryan H

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Joined
Apr 20, 2009
Messages
14
Re: Is this an electrical problem?

Thank you,
I'm sure it's not the fuel because when you push the throtle as a choke the gas flows fine. The air intake seems to be fine. When the boat stalled and we tested the coil, and plugs there was no spark going through but I'm not sure why it will start fine and idle in Neutral then stall in forward but the its seems as though a kill switch has been hit and it won't spark again.
 
flargin

flargin

Chief Petty Officer
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Aug 13, 2008
Messages
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Re: Is this an electrical problem?

Ryan H said:
Thank you,
I'm sure it's not the fuel because when you push the throtle as a choke the gas flows fine. The air intake seems to be fine. When the boat stalled and we tested the coil, and plugs there was no spark going through but I'm not sure why it will start fine and idle in Neutral then stall in forward but the its seems as though a kill switch has been hit and it won't spark again.
Click to expand...

Ryan, you may want to open this question up in the Merc section. I don't know if this is an IO or outboard, but I know merc's have a Shift Interrupt switch. It is essentially a "kill Switch" that hesitates the power, just long enough to get the transmission in gear (trying to prevent too much power at shift time) If this switch is messed up, it could act just like you are talking... But I don't have enough knowledge of your motor to help.
 
R

Ryan H

Cadet
Joined
Apr 20, 2009
Messages
14
Re: Is this an electrical problem?

Thank you,
The engine is a 165hp merc I/O. and a 19' 1979 Thundercraft boat. I will check on the shift interrupt switch. I appreciate the advice.
 
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