Engine stalled, ignition something NEW QUESTION

[dfwyatt]

SO i start my boat up, it runs great on the trailor for about 15 minutes, then it dies. Wont start back up, I thought i had flooded it as it stunk like gas, but after waiting a while and starter fluid, still nothing. On the boat, the coil doesnt send a spark to the distibutor, but tested off the boat, the coil works fine. Any ideas? Ive got a 1989 4.3L searay, Mercuiser Alpha 1, with the thunderbolt IV ignition system. I think it is either the sensor on the distributor, or the ignition amplifier module thingy, how do i test anything?<br /><br />Thanks in advance<br />dan

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Engine stalled, ignition something NEW QUESTION

Dan...do you have a safety lanyard that somehow got pulled off or could the shift switch been activated. Do you have 12v at the coil, also see this post it has a trouble shooting flowchart for the Thunderbolt ignition http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=24;t=010774

 

[dfwyatt]

Re: Engine stalled, ignition something NEW QUESTION

Hey, thanks for that link, good info there. My cut off shift switch is working fine, but in my wiring diagram there is a "safety switch" wires somehwere around the key switch (in the console?) what is this?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Engine stalled, ignition something NEW QUESTION

"safety switch" wires somehwere around the key switch (in the console?) what is this?

The Neutral Safety Switch..........<br />It'll be mounted in the Shifter console..........<br /><br />That Disables the Starter....... Not the Igntion Circuit..........<br /><br />Look Somewhere Else.........

 

[dfwyatt]

Re: Engine stalled, ignition something NEW QUESTION

Okay, so i think it is my igntion sensor in the bottom of my distributor, but mine(thunderbolt 4) has the terminal connectors.... about double the price of a thunderbolt 4 sensor with 'bullet' connectors...<br /><br />Is there any difference between the actual unit besides the connection type? I mean i'll make the wires hook to each other if it'll save me $50 by cutting the bullets off and soldering... any one know what im saying or can help me out?

 

[tommays]

Re: Engine stalled, ignition something NEW QUESTION

i would suguest a merc service manual it has a flow chart that will get you through the problem in the least steps and you dont have to guess if a part is good or bad<br /><br />tommays

 

[dfwyatt]

Re: Engine stalled, ignition something NEW QUESTION

Okay how about this. I did that, and it IS my ignition sensor, is there any difference between bullet connectors and terminal connectors for the THUNDERBOLT IV, besides the connectors?