92 Merc 115 No spark question

[sodakdave]

Ok. Got the boat out of storage and went through it to get it ready to get out this weekend. I'm getting no spark. It's acting like the kill switch is thrown but it's not. Is there an easier way to bypass that (for testing) besides taking the controls apart?

I believe (from what wiring diagrams I can find) that the kill switch is the black / yellow wires in this photo. Can I just disconnect it here?

It was running fine when I put it away. I've been through everything else I know to check (fuel, compression, it is in neutral.... ), is there another common cause that I need to check?

Thanks!

 

[achris]

You are correct, the black/yellow wire is indeed the kill wire. You can remove it to check for spark (it's the first thing a tech would do in a 'no spark' situation). Just be aware that if it does start, the way to stop it is to ground that post on the switchbox. Be careful! that post has 300v on it when the engine is running.

The other things to check are the stator output and the trigger outputs. But for those, you're going to need a DVA meter. Doing a google search gives a few sites and videos on how to make a DVA for a 'normal' multimeter. You can buy them, at $tupid dollar$, or make one for about $5 worth of parts. They're dead simple to make!

Chris....

 

[sodakdave]

You are correct, the black/yellow wire is indeed the kill wire. You can remove it to check for spark (it's the first thing a tech would do in a 'no spark' situation). Just be aware that if it does start, the way to stop it is to ground that post on the switchbox. Be careful! that post has 300v on it when the engine is running.

The other things to check are the stator output and the trigger outputs. But for those, you're going to need a DVA meter. Doing a google search gives a few sites and videos on how to make a DVA for a 'normal' multimeter. You can buy them, at $tupid dollar$, or make one for about $5 worth of parts. They're dead simple to make!

Chris....

I tried that, still no spark. Turns out that even though everything tested good with the digital charger and multimeter, the battery was just weak enough to not get the job done. I was to the point where I was going to start testing out the stator and decided to do one last hail mary and throw my jump pack on it.... Away it went. I was already planning on replacing my trolling motor batteries this year, what's one more.......