OMC Cobra 4.3 low voltage to Coil

[Lark40]

I have trouble starting my Cobra 4.3. This is an early Cobra with breaker points. When I turn the starter it will only fire at the instant that I release the key after 10 or more cranks. Bad way to have to start it. So it appears that it will "catch" only when the engine is cranking but the starter has no electrical contact.<br /><br />The voltage at the coil + is about 5 volts when cranking. So, I jumped a lead from the coil + to the battery to give it 12 volts and it fired right up when I hit the starter. <br /><br />I thought the ignition system was designed to feed 12 volts to the coil when cranking and then decrease to a lesser voltage to save burning the points once the starter was released. Mine is not doing this.<br /><br />What do I need to check out or replace to fix this problem?

 

[boat doc]

Re: OMC Cobra 4.3 low voltage to Coil

What I have seen with starting problems (when you release the key, and it fires) is a bad key switch. Try to turn the key real slow, untill you just get to the point that the engine starts tuning over.<br /><br />I cannot remeber on the coil voltage, I was thinking ther range from 4-6 volts when running, that is the point in haveing a ballast resistor