no spark only in idle, idle up and runs great, video attached.

[acalabro]

So I've had good luck with this (89-91) Force 50hp mechanically since I bought it used with low hours back in July of 2012 until a few weeks ago. I was out on the water and was fine until after I stopped, went to power up and it would only start on fast idle. If I brought the throttle back down to regular neutral idle position, it would sound like its missing and die soon after putting it in to that idle position. The only way to start it and keep it running was to throttle up to a fast idle, out of gear of course. :facepalm:
Back at home, I hooked up a spark checker and discovered that cyl #2 was losing spark upon putting in idle that I'm used to. I already replaced the coil for that cyl #2 and same result. I don't know what to go to next and I really don't want to bring it in to a shop but if I have to I will. My guess is that it could be the CDI box I guess but I don't know how to check those or if it's even possible and don't want to buy a used one for $150 before I know that's what it is.
Here is a video of the symptoms on youtube: 90' Force 50hp missing on idle - YouTube , sorry for poor quality.

I know that this is not a fuel problem because I can see that it is simply not firing in that idle position. Any help appreciated thank you

 

[Nordin]

Re: no spark only in idle, idle up and runs great, video attached.

It should not be the stator because it charge the capacitor in the CD box, check trigger,CDI electronics has troubleshotchart for this ign.system. Outboard ignition.com also.
Check the magnets under the flywheel too, they sometime got loose or broke.

 

[acalabro]

Re: no spark only in idle, idle up and runs great, video attached.

It should not be the stator because it charge the capacitor in the CD box, check trigger,CDI electronics has troubleshotchart for this ign.system. Outboard ignition.com also.
Check the magnets under the flywheel too, they sometime got loose or broke.

I see their info on CDI's site. I have two service manuals for this motor as well and can see the wiring diagrams clearly. They say to check resistance on the trigger but I don't know which wires to check. There is 4 wires coming out of trigger that meet 4 wires going into CDI box. It doesn't specify which two wires to check resistance on. Seems like each output is going to corresponding input on cdi box. Total of 4 wires, 2 for each cylinder..

 

[procraftguy]

Re: no spark only in idle, idle up and runs great, video attached.

Sounds like cd box or trigger id check out standardmagnito .com for ur parts not ebay they only do force ignition parts way better prices

 

[acalabro]

Re: no spark only in idle, idle up and runs great, video attached.

Sounds like cd box or trigger id check out standardmagnito .com for ur parts not ebay they only do force ignition parts way better prices

So I took it to a shop and they told me it was the trigger, asking $685 after its all said and done. I was expecting under $500 so I decided to go for it myself. I know the process of installing the trigger however am I correct that the timing must be set once I install the new trigger??