New points no spark. 888

[iand464]

I changed the points and condenser in my 888 and also installed new cap rotor and plug wires. The boat ran before I did this. I set the point gap to .017. I have verified that I have battery voltage at the coil when cranking and 4.6 when in the on position. I verified that I had the correct firing order. I have no spark. The points open and close when cranking.

 

[iand464]

I have the Mallory distributor. Should I put the old points back in? I've tried the old rotor and cap without luck

 

[Bt Doctur]

The boat ran before I did this.

Then retrace your steps. Have you replaced points before. The .017 is on the high side of the lobe and the points and wiring are not shorted to ground in the cap.If you have a grey wire on the neg side of the remoe it and test for spark. Bad tach will kill spark

 

[alldodge]

It was running and now it won't run after replacing points and condenser. Either the points are grounding out, condenser is shorted, the wire on the negative side or the coil is grounding out, or the points are not opening and closing.

Remove the distributer wire from neg side of coil, check continuity between the wire and ground, it should open and close as distributer turns. Could be a bad condensor

 

[iand464]

I took a look under the cap before work and both sides of the points have continuity to ground open or closed so there is the problem. I will investigate the connections and condenser after work today. It should only have continuity to ground when the points close. .017 is the point gap for an early sn 888 per a mercruiser chart on the wall at the marina. Thank you for your help all who replied, you make the forums a very valuable resource. I will report back with my findings.

 

[iand464]

The "spring" strip of metal that pushes the points closed was touching ground. Repositioned spring all is well.

 

[alldodge]

That's happened to me before, great your in business again