Re: wiring esa like a merc
What exactly does that mean.
First Assuming most have same wiring, mine are 5.8L's. On the negative side should be two grays. One to ESA and other to Tach and a black to points. On positive side should be two wires a striped, I think purple/red that is the resistor and measures 7-8 volts when running and a solid color ignition that measures 12 volts when starting. At the ESA 2 pin connector one grey from coil and other constant 12volts. Make sure ground from 4 pin is solid. If you are wired this way and ESA doesn't react when you manually flip large switch then its a good chance ESA is fried or the 2 pin connect not solid. Normally a fried ESA will prevent engine from starting.
If all that checks out. 1.) Did you install the resistor/diode fix that Pertronix recommends for OMC's. 2.) When you installed the pertronix did you bypass the resistor wire so that 12v goes to the coil and connected the red pertronix lead to positive coil? 3.) Is the coil still stock 1.5 ohms and did you by chance upgrade to flamethrower?
If you didn't do #1 you burnt out your ESA. Replace with CDI electronics ESA as it is compatible with Pertronix Ignitor and doesn't need the resistor/diode fix. #2 & #3 will also burn out ESA, OMC or CDI. If you bypassed resistor and/or upgraded coil then both negative voltage and amperage have increased and will burn out stock ESA and require the use of a ballast resistor between negative coil and ESA. Have different addtional on this if interested.
