Mariner 150 Magnum 3 -1,3,5 no spark

[cobra-drvr]

I recently bought a 94 Aries Bass Boat with a 150 HP Mariner Magnum 3. I initially had a problem when coming off 1/2 to full throttle to low speed (like approaching a no wake zone), the boat would stall and it was hard to restart.

The boat has not been used much lately and I dont have a clue what maintenance has been done. I replaced the plugs, fuel filter, and the fuel line connector to the engine. That seemed to cure the stalling problem as that issue went away the next three boat trips

But the last trip it stalled as I came off power as we approached the ramp site. It stalled and was very hard to restart. When it did restart it had a roug idle and under power had no "power" at all.

Checking it at home we learned that the right side of the motor had no spark on those three cylinders. I think this is 1,3,5 but will have to verify. I search the forums and seems this is either the switch box or a stater.

What is the best thing to do next to determine what is wrong? I was thinking of swapping the switch boxes but wanted to check here first.


thanks
cobra-drvr

 

[Laddies]

Re: Mariner 150 Magnum 3 -1,3,5 no spark

Swap the red with the red/white and the blue with the blue/white, if the spark changes side it's the stator, if it stays the same it's the box.

 

[cobra-drvr]

Re: Mariner 150 Magnum 3 -1,3,5 no spark

Thanks. I am not by the engine at the moment so forgive me if this is a stupid question: Are these stator wires going to the switch box or where do I look for those wires?

THANKS
cobra-drvr

 

[Dukedog]

Re: Mariner 150 Magnum 3 -1,3,5 no spark

One other thing. The idle stabilizer/advance module goes bad it can also kill 3 clyinders on the same bank also. If thats the case just give it the "float" test. Something you can do even if its not bad..........

Module should be a roughtly 2 1/2" X 3 1/2" black box mounted on the side or top of the block. It will have black ground, White with black tracer (stripe) and Red with white tracer that go to the same colors on the switch box.

 

[cobra-drvr]

Re: Mariner 150 Magnum 3 -1,3,5 no spark

Dukedog,

Sorry guys I am pretty new to outboards, whats a "Float" test?

thanks

 

[Dukedog]

Re: Mariner 150 Magnum 3 -1,3,5 no spark

Trash it.......

 

[Dukedog]

Re: Mariner 150 Magnum 3 -1,3,5 no spark

Oh yeah. The wires (Wht/blk, Red/wht) going to the switch box should have bullet connectors that you can just unplug.........

 

[cobra-drvr]

Re: Mariner 150 Magnum 3 -1,3,5 no spark

Ok Think I get it. The issue may be cause by the stabilizer/advance module and to test it just disconnect it. If that solve the problem, just remove the tabilizer/advance module and carry on.

 

[cobra-drvr]

Re: Mariner 150 Magnum 3 -1,3,5 no spark

I swapped the red with the red/white and the blue with the blue/white and the spark does NOT changes side. I also disconnected the idle stabilizer/advance module and that made no change

So that means its the switch box right? I assume I might as well replace both at once time? Where is a good place to get them?

thanks

 

[cobra-drvr]

Re: Mariner 150 Magnum 3 -1,3,5 no spark

I replaced both switchboxes tonight with new units. It fired up!!!! Saturday will be the big test

 

[j_martin]

Re: Mariner 150 Magnum 3 -1,3,5 no spark

Yer good to go. Common problem.

 

[cobra-drvr]

Re: Mariner 150 Magnum 3 -1,3,5 no spark

It ran well once I got it started. Having a heck of a time getting it started when its cold. Once its started and warmed up. It starts easy.

Any ideas on why its hard to start cold?

thanks

 

[j_martin]

Re: Mariner 150 Magnum 3 -1,3,5 no spark

It ran well once I got it started. Having a heck of a time getting it started when its cold. Once its started and warmed up. It starts easy.

Any ideas on why its hard to start cold?

thanks

Check the operation of the enricher valve. Find it by following the click when someone presses the key. (choke)

Another possibility. My old XR4 seemed to be getting pretty cranky about starting. Then one day the starter dragged real bad. When I rebuilt the starter, the engine gained a whole new attitude about starting.

Starter current should be about 125 amps cranking.

It could be just procedure. they are a bit cold blooded.
Here's my dance:
Level the engine
Pump up the primer bulb
turn on key, confirm oil alert POST
Advance fast idle lever
press key for about 10 seconds
While continuing to press the key, crank the engine
When it starts, continue to nurse it a few seconds with the choke.
Idle down
idle out
confirm tell-tale stream (block warmed up)
trim in
blast off.

hope it helps
John

 

[cobra-drvr]

Re: Mariner 150 Magnum 3 -1,3,5 no spark

WOW what a difference that MADE!!!! Thanks

I followed your procedure and she fired up in my driveway like it does when its warm out. YAHOOOO

THANKS
bpostma