No spark whatsoever!

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87Aggie

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Mar 29, 2004
Messages
256
Re: No spark whatsoever!

OK, as McGR suggestion, took Black/Yellow wire off and on, Got spark both ways (plugs removed, cannon plug disconnected, jumping solenoid). DHadley's suggestion, put plugs back in, left plug wires disconnected, black/yellow wire disconnected, now no spark as before. What do ya think?
 
Joe Reeves

Joe Reeves

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Feb 24, 2002
Messages
13,262
Re: No spark whatsoever!

The engine must crank over at least 300 rpms in order for the stator to supply the proper (at least) 300 AC volts to the powerpack.<br /><br />The battery must be top notch and all cable connections clean and tight.... tight with a wrench, not your fingers pertaining to wing nuts.<br /><br />Feel the cables after cranking a few seconds. A overly warm or hot cable should lead you to the problem if it's cable related.
 
8

87Aggie

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Mar 29, 2004
Messages
256
Re: No spark whatsoever!

As would be expected, without the plugs in the motor definitely cranked over faster. The battery was new late last summer and is apparently not fully charged or bad in some way (I've had it on a charger off and on since then) Last fall I replaced the battery cables with new and put automotive type ends to connect to the battery posts so I know they're tight. I'll test the battery and charge or replace it with a known good one. I'll do this when I get off work this afternoon and let ya'll know how it goes. Thanks for hanging with me on this project guys!!
 
8

87Aggie

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Mar 29, 2004
Messages
256
Re: No spark whatsoever!

Just picked up my battery from a buddy's shop who has a heavy duty, mechanic type charger with all the bells and whistles. Turns out my battery was only about 50% charged when I was attempting to crank my motor (my charger showed it to be almost fully charged - my charger's fairly old and not very heavy duty, I guess it's about time to replace it for something better) I'm going to hook the "charged" battery up in a couple hours and see if it starts, I'll cross my fingers!! I'm going to kick myself in the butt if that was my problem all this time. I'll let ya'll know!
 
D

Dhadley

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Feb 4, 2001
Messages
16,978
Re: No spark whatsoever!

Lets hope thats the problem. There are a couple more things it could be. The battery is the simplest, easiest cheapest one.<br /><br />Good luck!!
 
8

87Aggie

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Mar 29, 2004
Messages
256
Re: No spark whatsoever!

Tried to start motor with key switch (pumped bulb, lifted start lever, engaged choke, NO START) no spark. Battery shows 13 volts, 933 amps) Disconnected black/yellow wire, no spark - blue spark every now and then. Disconnected cannon plug and black/yellow, same thing. Pulled plugs, still no spark. It must be those "couple more things it could be". By the way, I really appreciated all your help last night. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
 
8

87Aggie

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Mar 29, 2004
Messages
256
Re: No spark whatsoever!

What's really got me puzzled is, why would I have all kinds of spark last night and none to once in a while tonight, and only when the plugs are out. I'm definitely getting plenty of RPM's especially when the plugs are out - even faster than last night. I'm trying to keep happy thoughts - I'm going to dring a cold one down at the shop and study the "book" again! Whoever figures this out, I'm definitely going to owe bigtime!!
 
B

Basscat 1

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Feb 11, 2005
Messages
444
Re: No spark whatsoever!

Originally posted by 87Aggie:<br />[QB] I'm going to dring a cold one down at the shop and study the "book" again![/ QB]
Click to expand...
:D <br /><br /> Dring one for me too.... ;)
 
8

87Aggie

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Mar 29, 2004
Messages
256
Re: No spark whatsoever!

I'm probably going to dring (that was a typo by the way, my vision ain't got that blurred yet)quite a few more for me and you before this is all said and done.
 
McGR

McGR

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 19, 2004
Messages
664
Re: No spark whatsoever!

It seems to me something is possibly intermittant. Since you replaced the powerpack and stator I'd probably rule them out. If it was the timer base you would probably only lose two of the four sparks since each sensor services 2 cylinders. An intermittant coil would only drop one cylinder. You've removed the yellow/black key wire - can't be that. It seems like the only thing left is the ground. How's the ground to the power pack? That's my best guess...
 
8

87Aggie

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Mar 29, 2004
Messages
256
Re: No spark whatsoever!

"Since you replaced the powerpack and stator I'd PROBABLY rule them out", the probably is what has got me concerned. I'll check the ground on the powerpack and check for spark again. Thanks for the input McGR.
 
B

Basscat 1

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Feb 11, 2005
Messages
444
Re: No spark whatsoever!

Aggie, I know that was a typo, I just couldnt resist. :) <br />Your on the right board, somebody here will figure it out. ;)
 
8

87Aggie

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Mar 29, 2004
Messages
256
Re: No spark whatsoever!

I'm calling it a night, cleaned ground on PP, no difference. Came in the house and Eric Clapton Live at Crossroads(BB King, Buddy Guy, Etc..) is on PBS and I think I'll just sit back and enjoy some blues. By the way, BassCat, I'm heading your way at the end of the month to spend a little time in the Hill Country on vacation. Hope to talk to ya'll tomorrow. Have a great night!!
 
McGR

McGR

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 19, 2004
Messages
664
Re: No spark whatsoever!

When I suggested the ground, I was thinking more of the other end where it connects to the block. You may want to run an Ohmeter between the ring terminal for providing ground to the power pack and the block, see if there is any resistance present. (Tomorrow, of course)
 
8

87Aggie

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Mar 29, 2004
Messages
256
Re: No spark whatsoever!

Plan on getting back on the saddle later this afternoon and try and resolve my motor problem. I'll do as McGR suggests and probably inspect, clean and test as many grounds as possible. As of last night, I'm basically back to square one, so I'll perform the tests that DHadley suggested the other night again. Anything else I can do or check to shed some light on this problem? Surely someone has some kind of gut feeling - I'm willing to try anything at this point. Once again, I can't thank you enough for all the help thus far.
 
8

87Aggie

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Mar 29, 2004
Messages
256
Re: No spark whatsoever!

I wanted to get your opinion on this, I talked with a troubleshoot technician with CDI Electronics and he indicated my problem may be the timer base and that before I replaced it I should try and adjust the sensor gap (he sent a list of instructions on how to perform that operation). Do you think this might work?
 
8

87Aggie

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Mar 29, 2004
Messages
256
Re: No spark whatsoever!

Since I don't have a peak reading volt meter to check DVA voltage on the stator, timer base and power pack. I've been thinking about taking the boat to a boat mechanic to have him check those items for me and report back to me if any are bad. Anybody have any ideas how many hours of labor this might take to perform these tests?
 
8

87Aggie

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Mar 29, 2004
Messages
256
Re: No spark whatsoever!

Do you ever catch yourself talking to yourself? It makes you feel pretty stupid :(
 
fireman57

fireman57

Captain
Joined
Aug 24, 2004
Messages
3,811
Re: No spark whatsoever!

Evidently no one knows or aren't telling. Call your local dealer for an estimate.
 
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