94 115 Mariner stopped dead in its tracks

[dlcx1]

This motor has run flawlessly all summer and fall. Yesterday, while trolling, it stopped running just as if I had reached over and turned off the switch. No warning or alarms. It had to be towed in. Looked at it today. It will pop and spit a little like it is way out of time, and started once, but sounded like it was on about 1 and a half cylinders and would not idle down. I disconnected the black/yellow wire at the switch box after reading other posts, but no change. This was a sudden occurance and I'm not sure which way to head. It has been running perfectly until now.
Can anyone help?
DLC

 

[Laddies]

Re: 94 115 Mariner stopped dead in its tracks

Check all cyls for spark and get back to us.

 

[dlcx1]

Re: 94 115 Mariner stopped dead in its tracks

Looks like nice HOT fire on 3 and 4.
Nothing on 1 and 2

 

[Laddies]

Re: 94 115 Mariner stopped dead in its tracks

Sound like you have either lost 1/2 of the stator or trigger, heres the test for your ign. system.

 

[dlcx1]

Re: 94 115 Mariner stopped dead in its tracks

Thanks,
I'll have to do it tomorrow

 

[dlcx1]

Re: 94 115 Mariner stopped dead in its tracks

Bad switch box?
I read through the tests and did a quick swap of red, red/white and also blue,blue/white at the switch box. I still have spark only on 3 and 4. It looks like the diagnosis points to the switch box. You think I need to look any further? I noticed slight corrosion on only the red/white termional connection which I thought was a little odd, since all the others are clean.

 

[Laddies]

Re: 94 115 Mariner stopped dead in its tracks

If you didn't check the trigger, I would as it's windings are 1&2 or 3&4 so it could also be the problem. If you don't have a meter swap the wires from the upper 2 cyls with the bottom 2 just like you did the stator to be sure.

 

[dlcx1]

Re: 94 115 Mariner stopped dead in its tracks

I have a Fluke, but will probably just swap the wires again. With two plugs firing, I would have thought it would have at least started and run (poorly), but that is not the case. I know this motor idles on 2 cylinders. Will I still see spark at all 4 when turning over with the starter looking for a spark if it is all working like it is supposed to?
I will have to look further tomorrow, since I can't devout any more time to it this evening.

 

[Laddies]

Re: 94 115 Mariner stopped dead in its tracks

Yes, if everything is right you will have spark on all 4. If you look at the bottom 2 carbs you will see that they have no adjustment needles and they are set to lean to run on thats how the system works and when there is no spark on the upper 2 the engine can only fire when the primer supply fuel to the bottom 2 and as soon as it's released there is no fuel and it can't continue to run.

 

[dlcx1]

Re: 94 115 Mariner stopped dead in its tracks

Thanks for the info.
806 on one trigger
810 on the other one.
Nothing to ground on either one
I did not switch the wires, since I'm not sure which way to re-attach them on the switchbox like your page directed me to do for the stator wires.
You think it's safe to say the switchbox is shot?
Can you recommend who might have the best value, quality, etc on the web? Are there any brands I should stay away from?

 

[CharlieB]

Re: 94 115 Mariner stopped dead in its tracks

You have GOTTO switch the trigger wires and retest for spark to determine if it is the trigger OR the switchbox.

NO RETURN on electrical parts, yadda, yadda.....

You MUST test the trigger or risk buying a switchbox THEN buying a trigger.

Test and buy only what you need.

Look closely at the box, it is marked with the correct color code to reinstall all the wires correctly, once you are finished with ALL tests.

CDI Ignition parts are Top-of-the-line, and cost less than Mercury parts.

Cannot stress enough, test, test and retest, BEFORE you buy anything!!!!!

 

[Laddies]

Re: 94 115 Mariner stopped dead in its tracks

At the box swap the violet and brown and the white and the white/black. If that makes the spark move it's the trigger, if it stays the same it's the box.

 

[dlcx1]

Re: 94 115 Mariner stopped dead in its tracks

Thanks,
I'll do that one last thing today. My wires are colored as you describe, except my white/black is all black with no white on it.

 

[dlcx1]

Re: 94 115 Mariner stopped dead in its tracks

Finally got back to it....Swapped the leads. Spark still only on 3 and 4
Thanks for all the help!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!