4.3 mercruiser no spark at operating temp

Billy5810

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Jun 17, 2019
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I have an 06 model 4.3 with TKS carb system and thunderbolt ignition. It will fire on second crank on the first start of the day everytime. I can run the boat up to operating temp or run for 3 hrs solid and it runs like a champ. No misses no sputtering thru all rpm range. However when i turn the engine off it will not refire as it is not getting spark from the coil. I cannot recreate the problem at the house on muffs. Ive turned it off for 5 min, 10 min, 20 min, and 30 min bringing it back to 175 degrees everytime in between. Problem only shows up on the lake. I have checked for vapor lock and took measure to prevent it per prior threads and the manual. Ive replaced ignition parts as follows coil, dis cap, rotor button, pickup inside dis, ecm, plugs and all wires. Oil pressure switch is new and has fresh oil change with filter and water seperator filter. There is a temp switch on the port side of the t-stat housing with yellow and black wires that communicates with the ecm. Could this part be faulty and allow the ecm to not send signal to fire or is there anything else that i have not yet considered?Any help would be greatly appreciated
 

Fun Times

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Hi there to help with your first question in the old topic titled 4.3l Temp Sensor ?, No the ICM shouldn't affect the spark like you asked regarding engine temperature.

Especially being your engine is an 2006 there was some issues with an TKS diode that if the diode failed it would make the engine very hard to start when warm. You'll want to try a new TKS Diode Merc part number 83-865913A01 and see how it goes in a safe place.

TKS (Turn Key Start) carburetors. When the engine is warm ...
 

alldodge

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Sounds a bit like your loosing power to the module or pickup. Do you have 12V at the coil when it will not start?
If the diode shorted you shouldn't be able to turn the motor off. If its open it would take a long time before the TKS module closed off the extra gas, so it would be running rich for a while.

Suggest running thru the TB-V troubleshooting guide.

TBV Troubleshooting.jpg
 

Scott Danforth

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how did you verify it is not getting spark?
 

Levinz11

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Apr 1, 2012
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Hi there to help with your first question in the old topic titled 4.3l Temp Sensor ?, No the ICM shouldn't affect the spark like you asked regarding engine temperature.

Especially being your engine is an 2006 there was some issues with an TKS diode that if the diode failed it would make the engine very hard to start when warm. You'll want to try a new TKS Diode Merc part number 83-865913A01 and see how it goes in a safe place.

TKS (Turn Key Start) carburetors. When the engine is warm ...

Big thank you for this! My 06' TKS 4.3 has been acting like its cold upon a warm restart. It wants to idle at 1000-1200 rpm for a few minutes before settling back down to 600. I'll test the diode but the service bulletin basically explains that I'll need a new one.
 

Billy5810

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Jun 17, 2019
Messages
3
Thanks for the answers. as for scott's question about how i verified no spark, ive used an inductive timing light on the coil wire and all spark plug wires, ive pulled plug wires and used spare plugs i keep in the boat laid to a ground and ive tried to get spark to jump out of the coil boot using a screwdriver and pair of pliers so i dont get bit. Same result all different ways. As for the diode would that not have more to do with a fuel issue instead of spark? Its only a $20 part so ive already got one on the way to me. And for alldodge's question ill have to get back to you the next time im on the water. I cant get it to have the problem at the house. It only shows up on the lake. The whole bottom end of the chart has been replaced... ign mod, coil, and pickup sensor.... thanks for the help
 
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