I think my switch box is fried... or am I not testing this right??

[Grumpy Bear]

Motor has been running very rough, won't idle right, dies when you try to throttle up in gear. Decided to check the switch box. So, the first pic is what the manual says the ohm readings should be. I set the ohm meter to 1K as directed. When I test, the readings are OPPOSITE (and still not the right number anyway). For example, in the second and third pics, I'm testing the green terminal. With red lead on green switch box terminal and black lead on ground, there should be NO continuity, but I'm getting between 3 and 4 (2nd pic). When I switch the leads, I'm supposed to get between 4 and 6, but I get nothing at all (3rd pic). Same happen s with every other test -- the opposite of what is supposed to happen, and even then, the numbers are still between 3 and 4 instead of 4 and 6.

Please advise. Is this switch box shot??

 

[gm280]

First of all. Unless I am seeing your meter at a bad angle, your meter doesn't look to be in the R X 1k scale but the R X 100 scale. Have you actually tested the spark on the cylinders first with a spark tester? Could be you are bypassing the troubleshooting path before you verify plugs, coils and such. You could have something else causing your problems. I'm not saying you won't end up where you are, but at least you have verified other things are not bad and working to get here again...

 

[Grumpy Bear]

First of all. Unless I am seeing your meter at a bad angle, your meter doesn't look to be in the R X 1k scale but the R X 100 scale. Have you actually tested the spark on the cylinders first with a spark tester? Could be you are bypassing the troubleshooting path before you verify plugs, coils and such. You could have something else causing your problems. I'm not saying you won't end up where you are, but at least you have verified other things are not bad and working to get here again...

You're right, haha, when I took this pic, the meter was on the wrong setting. Bad news is, when it's set on R = 1K, it's still showing opposite of what it should AND the numbers when it does register are even worse (2 or less). Either way, the switch box isn't connected to anything, so shouldn't it test out OK unless it's not??

 

[gm280]

You're right, haha, when I took this pic, the meter was on the wrong setting. Bad news is, when it's set on R = 1K, it's still showing opposite of what it should AND the numbers when it does register are even worse (2 or less). Either way, the switch box isn't connected to anything, so shouldn't it test out OK unless it's not??

Well one would think so. If YOU actually think the switch box is toast, buy another one and try it. If you could do you same tests on a good one for comparison, that would give you a solid answer. I can't say without being there and testing things myself. But it does point to that with the info you provided... JMHO!

 

[Grumpy Bear]

Well one would think so. If YOU actually think the switch box is toast, buy another one and try it. If you could do you same tests on a good one for comparison, that would give you a solid answer. I can't say without being there and testing things myself. But it does point to that with the info you provided... JMHO!

I ohm tested the coil and it checked out. I don't have a DVA adapter, so I can't test the peak voltage, but I did do a spark gap test. At 7/16" gap, I might get a spark once in awhile, not not often. I had to bring it in to about 1/4" to get a nice, blue/white consistent spark with no misses. IF my switch box is dying, might it cause a weaker spark?

Thanks!

 

[gm280]

I ohm tested the coil and it checked out. I don't have a DVA adapter, so I can't test the peak voltage, but I did do a spark gap test. At 7/16" gap, I might get a spark once in awhile, not not often. I had to bring it in to about 1/4" to get a nice, blue/white consistent spark with no misses. IF my switch box is dying, might it cause a weaker spark?

Thanks!

I would think that if you are getting a good bluish white consistent spark even at a 1/4" your switch box has to be working. But I could be wrong as well. If you're having rough idle, maybe look at the carb(s). I would not go out and buy any new parts just yet until I could absolutely verify the problem parts. But that is just me. JMHO!