no spark

[bandannarob]

My 1988 merc 70hp was running fine. On the way home the trailer wheel fell off and the left side dropped to the road. got it home and it sat for 2 weeks. Went to start it and it had no spark. Turns over,smell gas,no spark. any ideas before i put it in the shop?

 

[CharlieB]

Re: no spark

Disconnect the black wire with a yellow trace line that connects the ignition module to the wiring harness, then recheck for spark.

DO NOT start the motor as you will not be able to kill the ignition.

If you now have spark then check the ignition switch, lanyard switch, possibly the 'roll-over' switch, or the black w/yellow 'kill' wire grounding somewhere else in the wiring harness.

 

[CharlieB]

Re: no spark

There is a minimum cranking speed of 300 RPM, if the battery is low or a poor connection at any point on a cable, the system will not generate enough voltage to fire.

If none of these help then download the free Ignition Troubleshooting Guide from CDIElectronics.com, follow their detailed directions to test the ignition.