ENGINE NOT STARTING...KICKING MY BUT

[prc03sx195]

I will go thru this later today but if I need an ignition coil is it mercrusier specific? Dealer only item or can I use an aftermarket one? What is a good manufacturer to use?
If it is an ign module or ign sensor I assume those are mercrusier specific or can I use other manufacturers like Denso or others? Thanks again.

 

[isaacs]

I have a 2003 4.3

I was able to pin point the problem by going through the TB-5 troubleshooting chart.

If it's the ignition module under the distributor cap, it's not expensive. I paid $46 for a Mallory unit 3 years ago.

The hardest part for me was getting the rotor off. Apparently they are glued on from the factory. I had to cut the rotor in pieces to get it off while being careful not to damage the shaft.

The ignition module was pretty easy. The old one on mine was a corroded exposed circuit board. It had two wires. The ground connection was through one of the mounting screws.
The new one was a sealed unit with a third wire which was the ground. I grounded that wire to the block.

While I was at it, I changed out the cap, rotor, wires and plugs. Nothing like a good tune-up.

I had this exact same problem. This is the ignition sensor, not the module. The old open type collects crud and eventually stops working. After you get the rotor off, try spraying some carb cleaner into the slot where the rotor fins go to remove the crud. If that gives you any improvement you've found your problem. At any rate, it wouldn't hurt to replace it with one of the newer sealed units--easy and cheap. If you remove the old one, be aware that one of the screws has a nut on the bottom (at least, mine did) making it a bit more difficult to remove; you'll need a small wrench of some sort.

 

[isaacs]

I will go thru this later today but if I need an ignition coil is it mercrusier specific? Dealer only item or can I use an aftermarket one? What is a good manufacturer to use?
If it is an ign module or ign sensor I assume those are mercrusier specific or can I use other manufacturers like Denso or others? Thanks again.

Make sure you get the right voltage coil. Most of the older marine and automotive coils ran on something like 8 volts and your TB-V runs on 12V. I think. Others that know more can verify this.

 

[poconojoe]

It's rare that you have a bad coil, but of course, it is possible.

I usually prefer OEM.
However, the ignition sensor I bought is made by Mallory, was easy to install, had everything I needed and has worked flawlessly.

Go through that troubleshooting flow chart. You will find the problem. Without that chart, you are just guessing. Don't just throw parts at it.

Report back.

 

[nola mike]

I will go thru this later today but if I need an ignition coil is it mercrusier specific? Dealer only item or can I use an aftermarket one? What is a good manufacturer to use?
If it is an ign module or ign sensor I assume those are mercrusier specific or can I use other manufacturers like Denso or others? Thanks again.

You can use an auto coil.

 

[prc03sx195]

Well I did the check as stated above and it points to the ign sensor, just as someone stated. I also found the cap inside was very corroded so I am going to replace, sensor, cap and rotor. Is Sierra a good make for the replacement parts? I found on ebay 94.00 for all three parts made by Sierra. Is this a good buy? Any other recommendations and places to purchase would be great. Thanks for the help and supplying the troubleshooting guide, it was most beneficial. Thanks
paul

 

[prc03sx195]

Or even Wuffe Marine parts, they are a little cheaper but don't know anything about their parts. What do you folks think?

 

[San_Diego_SeaRay]

Or even Wuffe Marine parts, they are a little cheaper but don't know anything about their parts. What do you folks think?

Wulffe Marine just resells aftermarket parts. I don't think they actually make their own parts. If you're looking on Ebay, look at the ITEM SPECIFICS section of each listing and they should say there the actual "Brand". For me, the hierarchy has always been: Mercruiser/Quicksilver (OEM), Sierra, GLM, everything else (no name brand). I personally think Sierra is fine but I know some people won't go that "low". I *believe* that Sierra might have purchased or merged w. GLM.

 

[prc03sx195]

I ended up getting quicksilver parts. Now I just have to wait for them. Thanks again for helping me troubleshoot this problem.

 

[prc03sx195]

Ok, now that I have the new sensor what is the trick for getting it installed? It almost looks like I have to remove the shaft for clearance. Thanks

 

[poconojoe]

Ok, now that I have the new sensor what is the trick for getting it installed? It almost looks like I have to remove the shaft for clearance. Thanks

You shouldn't be removing any "shafts".

Did you remove the rotor?
Apparently the rotors are glued on from the factory, so they're a pain to get off.

After the rotor is off, remove the two screws holding the ignition sensor and just drop the new one in.

Your's may be different, here's my experience...
My old one got its ground from the mounting screws and had only two wires. My new one has a third (ground) wire. I found a spot on the intake manifold to ground it, one of the accessory bracket bolts.

 

[prc03sx195]

Instead of breaking the new sensor bc I couldn't angle it enough with the shaft to get it in I removed the c clip on the shaft, then loosened the dist bolt but marking the dist before it moved. Then lifted the housing enough to where the shaft was sticking thru an 1inch and dropped the sensor in place. Lowered the housing, lined everything up, put the c clip on the shaft and buttoned everything up. I put blue thread locker on the shaft key slot for the rotor per the instructions. Letting that dry and tomorrow I will go for a start. Thanks for all your be valuable input.

 

[prc03sx195]

Ok guys, another issue here. Hope you can help. Engine starts fine and runs good but I cannot get the shift lever to move in forward gear or reverse. If you read the above posts I replaced the ign sensor, cap and rotor. Not sure what this would have to do with the shifter unless it is tied to the interrupter switch? I did loosen a bolt on the linkage to put the new ground wire connector on but that was it. Thanks

 

[prc03sx195]

Just to let you know it was the bolt I removed from the shift linkage for the new ground wire must have slightly changed the Linkage position enough to where I couldn't move the shifter. Go figure. Moved the ground wire to a new location and all is working fine. Hope this can help someone else.