1987 Mercury 150 XR2 no spark

[jtro]

Just purchased this boat knowing it had some issues.
It is a Mercury xr2 1987 150hp I did not have spark on 2,4and 6. I switched stator wire as discussed in other threads and still no spark. I replaced the switchbox which i thought was bad it gave me spark for a moment then no spark again. Checked for spark on other bank and none. Not making sense to me.Oil Alarm is sounding off also but I know oil is being pumped in as I could see it when it was running on one bank.
Compression 120 across the board

Thanks
Jim

 

[westexasrepublic]

Re: 1987 Mercury 150 XR2 no spark

its recommended to replace both switch boxes even if ones bad, as they work in sync and said that one bad one can damage the other. but swap the stator lead to them anyway and see if you loose spark on the other three.

 

[jtro]

Re: 1987 Mercury 150 XR2 no spark

I did that and I still didn't have spark but did on the other. I replaced the switchbox that tested bad but now have no spark on either side which make me think it could be a stator but not sure have ordered a DVA to test more did Resistance test for stator
red to ground and red/white to ground say 150 ohms

 

[jtro]

Re: 1987 Mercury 150 XR2 no spark

just seems strange that after I replaced the one switchbox I lost spark on bothsides

 

[James R]

Re: 1987 Mercury 150 XR2 no spark

Check the resistances on the stator and the trigger. Sounds like one or both could be ailing. A bad rectifier may be pulling the stator voltage down. You can disconnect it and try for spark. Also the Idle stabilizer can cause a problem. These are normally taken off as they cause more problems than they are worth. A manual would be of great help to you.

 

[jtro]

Re: 1987 Mercury 150 XR2 no spark

What manual would be recommended?

 

[aussieflash]

Re: 1987 Mercury 150 XR2 no spark

I did that and I still didn't have spark but did on the other. I replaced the switchbox that tested bad but now have no spark on either side which make me think it could be a stator but not sure have ordered a DVA to test more did Resistance test for stator
red to ground and red/white to ground say 150 ohms

150 is right on spec.Also check between (blue and red) wires and (blue/white and red/white) stator wires.Anything between 5400 and 6200 is good.

 

[jtro]

Re: 1987 Mercury 150 XR2 no spark

Ok update
Tested Kill switch and it is bad it has 4 ohms resistance on or off removed black/yellow wire from both switchboxes and it fires up but no spark on 1,3,5 which has the new switchbox swapped stator wires and 1,3,5 still has no spark but 2,4,6 does. 1,3,5 switchbox is the one I just purchased.
Thinking on seeing if the old box that is firing 2,4,6 will fire 1,3,5 is it possible the bias is shorted the new box

Thanks
Jim

 

[jtro]

Re: 1987 Mercury 150 XR2 no spark

Another update
Talked to local marine centers mechanic where switchbox was purchased explained what I did. He told me to bring it down and he would do the DVA test on the stator and switchbox. Performed test on stator and it was working correctly accept when the switchbox was attached it was being drawn down way to low. Said new switchbox is bad also and warrantied it for me. Also advised me to replace both switchboxs in case the bias circuit is damaging the new one. So waiting for both my switchbox to arrive.

Does that make sense?

Thanks
Jim

 

[westexasrepublic]

Re: 1987 Mercury 150 XR2 no spark

yep makes sense , what he said is right.