apoesprint470
Recruit
- Joined
- May 18, 2003
- Messages
- 4
1982 Merc 470 i/o no spark. Started out the year that way. I cleaned all connections (not dirty/corroded or loose, but I did it anyway), then I got some spark (very weak looking) and was able to start it. I thought, ok, maybe it was one of the connections. Several weeks later, started it up again to do some tweaking. Started fine several times as I was taking measurments (tach/dwell, etc.) but I never made any adjustments. Then, all of a sudden, no spark, not even a weak one.<br /><br />I used SELOC manual procedures for testing primary iginition circuit for points, condensor, etc., but I get no spark anywhere, even when insulating points and temporarily grounding movable contact point to base with screwdriver per manual. At this point, the manual kind of drops the ball, from super detailed to brief and ambiguous (to me anyway). Any information on how to test the coil or more detailed info on primary ignition ciruit would be extremely helpful.<br /><br />Is it possible that my shift cutout switch could be the problem? I have read several posts that lead me to believe this may be a potential problem, but I have no idea where it is or how to test it. When it is running, I do in fact have a problem where it runs fine in neutral, but when I pop it into gear it dies unless I really jam it hard. If I get it into gear I can run up as fast as I want with no problem. I am confused however, because my understanding of the shift cutout switch is that it is only supposed to do something when you come out of gear into neutral. <br /><br />Finally, I am confused about the ignition coil. I have read various posts that seem to conflict. What I would like to know is how to test, what voltage from + to ground, - to ground, between + and -, etc.<br /><br />Thanks<br /><br />Alan
