trying to start engine OUT of boat, no spark...

[swcejk2002]

Hey gang....I have a Volvo penta aq125 that I have taken out of the boat (to remove fuel tank)....I was actually going to try and install some of the components onto another engine, but that didn't work out, so I am back to the original engine. I have most everything back on. I can crank her over,

*I rigged a wire from the center post of the starter to a brass post on the starter.

* I have the purple wire from the distributor to the NEG side of coil

* I have a grey wire to the POS side of coil

*I have a jumper wire from the plastic casing (that would connect wire harness inside boat) purple to purple.

I can get engine to crank, and see a nice spark inside dist. I have a spark plug inside it cap and I hold the tip onto the engine block, trying to get a spark, I can';t get anything. I had to go through this last year too. dumb me didn;t pay too good attention though, I finnaly got it, all I remember is that is came down to ONE wire that I was not doing....hope to hear from someone.....

 

[captmello]

Re: trying to start engine OUT of boat, no spark...

The grey wire, if its the factory wire, is the tach, and should be on the neg side of the coil. Not sure if that's the problem or not...

 

[Don S]

Re: trying to start engine OUT of boat, no spark...

*I rigged a wire from the center post of the starter to a brass post on the starter.

Have no idea what you are referring to here, a picture would sure help. But it sure does't sound right at all.

* I have the purple wire from the distributor to the NEG side of coil

Purple wire goes to the + side of the coil, not - side.

* I have a grey wire to the POS side of coil

It should be on the - terminal of the coil. It's for the tachometer.

*I have a jumper wire from the plastic casing (that would connect wire harness inside boat) purple to purple.

For ignition, just jump from the battery cable terminal on the stater to the + terminal on your coil. That will be your ignition switch.

You should also have a permanent wire (dark red according to the manual) going from the - terminal of the coil to the distributor. You didn't mention anything about any other wires except the purple and the gray.

To engage the starter, jump from the small terminal on the starter solenoid.

 

[swcejk2002]

Re: trying to start engine OUT of boat, no spark...

Thanks to the both of you for responding.....I have attached a few pics. hope they help......I did switch/confirm my purple wire (from the distributor) is attached to the POSITIVE side of the coil. I did confirm that GREY wire is attached to the negative.....I also have a jumper wire from the screw (behind fused housing see pic). to the positive side of coil as well. I have a small wire within the plastic housing (purple to purple, see pic)....I am getting a pretty good spark inside the distributor when I crnak her...

 

[Don S]

Re: trying to start engine OUT of boat, no spark...

On your starter (last picture) remove that copper jumper and throw it away. Then remove the yellow/red wire from the small terminal it's on, and put it on the outside terminal you have the copper wire on. And tighten down the nut on the starter cable.

If you have spark inside the distributor, then you either have a bad cap, rotor, or hi tension lead from coil to cap.

 

[swcejk2002]

Re: trying to start engine OUT of boat, no spark...

Thanks Don, just went out to the garage and tried it.....for some reason I am getting a VERY hot wire within the distributor....so hot that when I cranked her (with the distributor cap on), to check for spark (and got nothing at the plug), I pulled the dist. cap off and smoke came out, the short wire that goes from the small 'resistor'? on the outside of the dist. and is inside the distributor....pretty hot......I must be hooking something up wrong.....thanks for your help.

 

[Don S]

Re: trying to start engine OUT of boat, no spark...

Thanks Don, just went out to the garage and tried it.....for some reason I am getting a VERY hot wire within the distributor..............I must be hooking something up wrong.....

Yes, you did, you built in a dead short with wires hooked up wrong. Remember what I said above?

On your starter (last picture) remove that copper jumper and throw it away. Then remove the yellow/red wire from the small terminal it's on, and put it on the outside terminal you have the copper wire on. And tighten down the nut on the starter cable.

 

[Lyle29464]

Re: trying to start engine OUT of boat, no spark...

Think your getting hung up on colors. I think you need a wire from the dist to the - side of coil and a wire from your battery to the + side.