merc outboard no spark

jets28

Recruit
Joined
May 17, 2003
Messages
3
I have a 1989 3 cyl. 80 h.p. mercury outboard. I am not getting spark in any of my cylnders. I have three individual ignition coils I would figure that all three would not go at once. I was in the process of troubleshooting and I relized that my rectifier does not have countinuity where it is supposed to. But the rectifier to my knowledge is for the chargeing system and has nothing to do with spark. The last step that I took in trouble shooting was I disconnected the remote control harness coming from the control to the motor and I jumped the constant juice from the starting solenoid to the cranking motor and did the standard spark plug gap test still no spark. By doing this I have decided that the problem is definetly in the motor not coming from the controls. I am now considering the switch box being faulty. Does anyone no the proper way to diagnos this switch box? Or does anyone have another suggestion for me?
 

dstuard

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Mar 12, 2003
Messages
186
Re: merc outboard no spark

From everything I have researched on here you don't test the box. You rule out everything else and the box is bad by default. If you did not disconnect the black/yellow wire at the switch box I would try that first. If you get spark, your kill is grounded somewhere. Could be mercury switch, kill switch or ignition switch. If you still do not have spark you can disconnect the rectifier and check for spark. If you get it then - your rectifier is bad. Post back with what you find. Do you have a manual? The experts will tell you you need one. I am definitely not an expert. Just did a ton of research on this site because of the same problem.
 

jets28

Recruit
Joined
May 17, 2003
Messages
3
Re: merc outboard no spark

i tried getting it to crank over with out the rectifier but i was by myself so i couldnt turn the key and check for spark at the same time so i will have to give it a try tommorow where shoul i disconnect the black and yellow wire from? the switch box?i will definetlly let you know what happened thanks for your reply.
 

dstuard

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Mar 12, 2003
Messages
186
Re: merc outboard no spark

Yes. Disconnect it from the switch box. I went thru all this recently. Email me at stuards@ev1.net if you want to talk on the phone. I am not an expert but I can help a little.
 

jets28

Recruit
Joined
May 17, 2003
Messages
3
Re: merc outboard no spark

1989 mercury 80 h.p. outboard 3 cyl.<br /><br />i disconected the yw/bk mercury kill switch wire(from the switch box) <br />i disconnected the rectifier(when i removed the rectifier it was faulty but the rectifier is only for charging not spark)<br />i disconnected the motor from the boat you know the control harness (to make sure it was a prob in the motor not a ground in the controls)<br />i tested the ind. ignition coils (good) (why would three ind. ignition coils al go bad at the same time any way)<br />i tested the trigger leads at the switchbox (good)<br />the stator actually tested good once then bad another day (the stator leads at the switch box read open on an ohm meter when they weren't supposed to)<br />i know there is no real way of testing the switch box<br />what do you think? i dont want to replace unnessasary parts. i know my rectifier is bad and i have toreplace it but something else is casueing no spark. does anyone know what?
 
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