where should I start?

[Galaxy owner]

I have a 86 or an 89 (brown cover) 115 mercury It has ran fine for months since I bought it. yesterday In the bay I was idling for 5-10 min and whan I gave it throttle it had no power? I pulled the wires 3-5 were not firing put in new plugs still nothing? I am no expert it has 6 coils 3 and 3. would they go bad just like that?

 

[Galaxy owner]

Re: where should I start?

Iwould like to add that I ran aprox. 15-20 miles before Idled engine ran fine I have noticed a few times before it would hicup once but that was it?about once everytime I took it out.I know this is not alot of info,and probably not the kind you need.I have a tester but thats about it. dont know what to check first? thanks for the help for this time and the last 5!!

 

[CharlieB]

Re: where should I start?

Search for postings using the CDI Ignitions Troubleshooting Guide and the DVA Meter

DO NOT BUY ANY ELECTRICAL parts until you have tested PROPERLY

There is NO RETURN on electrical parts

 

[Galaxy owner]

Re: where should I start?

Thanks charlie I will do that!

 

[TuckerD88]

Re: where should I start?

I have an 84 Galaxy 90hp and mine did the same thing. Only it was a bad coil and power pack. then it took the other power pack. Bottom line was the stator was out on it. It would run low rpm but no power on the high side it. Make sure you never jump battery and make sure you never cross pos and neg. Good luck, boat runs great now.

 

[Galaxy owner]

Re: where should I start?

Thanks tucker I have checked all the coils by taking the plugs out and grounding them 1-3-5 are out? I dont get it.I have a ohmmeter,but dont know where to test.I have never been good for elect. problems so I guess I better tighten up owning a boat. any Info will help THX

 

[TuckerD88]

Re: where should I start?

Well, Im just guessing but if the 1,3,and5 arent working then it sounds like the switchbox that works those holes is bad. If you have a mercury manual it tells you how to test your switchboxes. Mine has 2 of them and they arent cheap 500$ a switchbox. Thats why I took it to the shop cause I didnt have that kind of money to do the replace thing till I got it right. Hope this helps you out.If it has 2 switchboxes though maybe you can swap them and see if the problem moves to the other holes?

 

[TuckerD88]

Re: where should I start?

Im sorry the switchboxes are about 140$ a peice the coils are about 25$ a peice and the bad thing is once you buy it and try it its yours but a mechanic can try it and move on oh a stator and trigger assembly is about 200$. And I think labor for a mechanic in my area is 80$ an hour.

 

[CharlieB]

Re: where should I start?

Buy a DVA Meter from CDI, less than $100

Search for the CDI Ignition Troubleshooting Guide online.

Step by step test and confirm the fault, twice, buy the required part once.

 

[Galaxy owner]

Re: where should I start?

I may sound like a moron but what is CDI?