merc 140 no spark

[jenny1671]

we have a no start at lake .not fun! we are not getting any spark at plugs....gas is ok so we need some help at where to look? we have 12 volts at both sides of the coil ..i'm not sure where the ignition modual is...the boat is a 1986 Doral with a merccruiser 140..thanks

 

[jeff13601]

Re: merc 140 no spark

Do you have points or elec iginition?

 

[jenny1671]

Re: merc 140 no spark

its a j1171 dist... yep its points.old style<br />whats my next move? thanks 4 replying<br />jeannette.

 

[jenny1671]

Re: merc 140 no spark

how hard is it to install electronic ignition if i need it? jeannette

 

[jeff13601]

Re: merc 140 no spark

I dont know about the cost of electronic. You need to check your points, rotor and condenser. Are you sure that you have 12 volts on both the pos and neg side of the coil? Take off the dist cap and see if there is any spark at the points.

 

[rattana]

Re: merc 140 no spark

When turning the motor over with the cap off you should see the points opening and closing. Sometimes the points glaze over when the boat hasn't ran for awhile. Use some sand paper or a small file to clean up the points. The gap should be about 0.020"

 

[jenny1671]

Re: merc 140 no spark

thanks, question, if i pull off the dist cap and crank it over , i know the points will move but will they spark too ?*/ jeannette

 

[jeff13601]

Re: merc 140 no spark

It might be easier to do it this way and work backwards. Take the coil wire off the center of the dist cap. Put a screwdriver in the end and have someone turn the motor over while you hold the screwdriver about an eighth to a quarter of an inch from bare metal. It should throw a spark between the screwdriver and the bare metal. If you have a good spark there your points are working good enough to get spark to your plugs

 

[novicetech]

Re: merc 140 no spark

They will if they are clean and dry and the coil and condenser are operating properly.

 

[jenny1671]

Re: merc 140 no spark

does anyone have a schematic on the wiring and spark on this mercruiser 140 its a 1986..<br />thanks for all your help.....jeannette

 

[olbuddyjack]

Re: merc 140 no spark

No spark at the plugs but do you have spark at the coil? Could be a cap or rotor if the coil works.

 

[olbuddyjack]

Re: merc 140 no spark

Dang Jeff you beat me. I gotta learn to type faster. Anyway do what Jeff says...

 

[jenny1671]

Re: merc 140 no spark

I turned it over with the distributor cap removed but no spark at all. Its dark her so its easy to see if there was a spark. <br />How do I test the ignition coil? <br />I did not do the test with the screw driver because its pouring rain here.

 

[jeff13601]

Re: merc 140 no spark

Thats the easiest way to test the coil with no testers or meters. If you have an umbrella or something it only takes a second. Rain might make it a little easier to arc over onto your hand. But if it bites you then you know you have spark from the coil. lol