1976 mercruiser 888 no spark

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Chroberts90

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How's it going... I have a 1976 19ft century with a mercruiser model 888 302 I'm having a no spark issue. This is my first boat so I don't know much about them but what I do no is I was told it sat a year because the fuel pump went out well I wired up an electronic fuel pump just to get it running to see if there was anything else wrong. Well it won't start so I did what I would do on a vehicle started simple I put a new coil a new ignition rotor bug and new points and condenser on it I gapped it to the right spec and I have spark at the points but it's not coming out of the cap through the spark plugs not sure what to do last resort is put it in the shop but I'd rather save my arm and leg and try to get it going myself... any ideas?
 

alldodge

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Howdy

Spark at points but none at the coil, Humm
Remove all wires off the negative side of the coil, including the distributer. Remove coil wire going into distributer and attach a spark tester or hold close to a ground.

Turn key ON and check for 12V on the positive post of the coil. Attach a jumper to a ground source and then tap the negative side of the coil and there should be a spark from the coil

Pic below is for a car (vacuum advance) but works the same

Points ignition diagram.gif
 

Bondo

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and I have spark at the points but it's not coming out of the cap through the spark plugs

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,..... When the points spark, does a spark fly outa the coil's tower,..??

Have ya ohmed the plug wires,..??
 

Chroberts90

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No spark comes out of the coils tower it just sparks at the points it shocked the CRAP out of my father n law. And if u mean have I changed the plug wires no I have not the look Fairley new nothing it burnt or broke on the.
 

alldodge

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shocked the CRAP out of my father n law.

If your getting a spark that does that then your getting spark, its just not going to the coil wire.
 

Chroberts90

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Why wouldn't I be getting spark to the coil wire then ik I have 4 wires going to my coil 2 on the positive side and 2 on the negative side and it's a brand new coil
 

Pete104

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That engine had 3 possibly 4 ignition systems. Ya sure you got the right stuff?
 

Scott Danforth

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Why wouldn't I be getting spark to the coil wire then ik I have 4 wires going to my coil 2 on the positive side and 2 on the negative side and it's a brand new coil

do you have the wire from the coil tower run to the distributor cap?
 

achris

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hello im having some what of the same issue did any one figure this out

This is a 4 year old thread, the user hasn't been seen in quite some time. Please read the forum rules, especially #12, and then start a thread of your own with a new question.

Chris.....
iboats mod team.
 
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