One of my engines has been giving me trouble starting. Typically I had the problem when I tried to start the engine after it had been sitting all week and I would want to use it for the weekend.
If I could get it started, would run perfectly and start every time after it was warmed up. I have done some of the checks, found a few things that I thought were the cause of the problem. The frustrating part is when I would put it all back together (still a cold engine) I would hit the key and it would fire up immediately even if it is loaded up with fuel from trying to start it. The next weekend, the same problem would reappear.
Blk/Yel wire is not shorted.
Key switch is good,
I have voltage to the powerpack.
I checked the spark with a Mercotronic spark tester, and to me, the spark looks weak. I've never had much faith in that tool , because I used it in the past, and it would indicate intermittent spark, but when everything was put back together it would run fine.
I did the Ohm test for the charge coils , and with a Fluke meter it reads 835 Ohms pin to pin on both plugs. That is not in spec, but I am not using the recommended meter and apparently the readings can differ depending on the test equipment being used.
Ohms test on the timer base trigger wires appear to be OK.
Tried my spare power pack. No change.
Checked all the connectors for broken pins and anything I felt was suspect has been repaired.
I'm thinking that weak spark might allow the engine to start when everything happens to be just right, and not start if it's not. It seems to flood easily, when it's cold, and once that happens it's all over. If I am able to get it running, it continues to start, I assume because the plugs are warm.
How can I fully test the stator ouput using a standard Fluke meter? The manual references specialized test equipment, and I don't know if the readings I'm seeing are good or bad. Am I on the right track?
I'm 80 miles from the boat, and only have the weekend to work on it, so I need to maximize my efforts. Any help is greatly appreciated.
If I could get it started, would run perfectly and start every time after it was warmed up. I have done some of the checks, found a few things that I thought were the cause of the problem. The frustrating part is when I would put it all back together (still a cold engine) I would hit the key and it would fire up immediately even if it is loaded up with fuel from trying to start it. The next weekend, the same problem would reappear.
Blk/Yel wire is not shorted.
Key switch is good,
I have voltage to the powerpack.
I checked the spark with a Mercotronic spark tester, and to me, the spark looks weak. I've never had much faith in that tool , because I used it in the past, and it would indicate intermittent spark, but when everything was put back together it would run fine.
I did the Ohm test for the charge coils , and with a Fluke meter it reads 835 Ohms pin to pin on both plugs. That is not in spec, but I am not using the recommended meter and apparently the readings can differ depending on the test equipment being used.
Ohms test on the timer base trigger wires appear to be OK.
Tried my spare power pack. No change.
Checked all the connectors for broken pins and anything I felt was suspect has been repaired.
I'm thinking that weak spark might allow the engine to start when everything happens to be just right, and not start if it's not. It seems to flood easily, when it's cold, and once that happens it's all over. If I am able to get it running, it continues to start, I assume because the plugs are warm.
How can I fully test the stator ouput using a standard Fluke meter? The manual references specialized test equipment, and I don't know if the readings I'm seeing are good or bad. Am I on the right track?
I'm 80 miles from the boat, and only have the weekend to work on it, so I need to maximize my efforts. Any help is greatly appreciated.
