Still getting intermittent spark on one cylinder HELP

[blmkso]

I've got an '88 Force 125. Number 3 cylinder does not fire all the time. After a little warm up that cylinder seems to kick in but doesn't always stay that way. I've switched coils to see if it was bad but it's good. I've checked the grounds , looked for loose wires , cleaned connectors and checked resistance on trigger and stator wires. All seem normal. My hunch is one of the CD's is causing this but according to the manual I need a Volt ohm meter that will measure Peak values. All I have is a regular digital VOM. Please help !!!

 

[devl]

Re: Still getting intermittent spark on one cylinder HELP

My buddy has a 1989 85HP Force and we had the same problem for weeks. I did the work on his motor and checked the trigger, stator, plugs, coils, wires....everything! I can almost guarantee its a CD that's your problem. Each CD can control 2 cyl so you can take the one thats hooked up to cyl 3 and hook it up to the unused spot on the CD box. You should have a wiring diagram on the motor itself to help you figure this out.

This worked for a short time on my friend's motor but eventually he had to replace the CD's. Here's a cheap site that should match you motor : http://standardmagneto.com/Marine/forceparts.html

PM me if you need help

 

[bentle]

Re: Still getting intermittent spark on one cylinder HELP

I know you said you checked for loose wires, and I just wanted to add. Did you
check your grounds on each cd and wire to block ground. Also check the wires right
at the but connections for broken wires atthat the power strip.Over time these little wires can break right
under the heat shrink material and go unnoticed leading us up to bigger and more expensive parts that didn't need replacing in the first place. I have a B.O.A.T. 125 force outboard that I had to replace the trigger because the little tiny wires that come right out at the base had a short in them killing spark on 1-2 cylinders .seems like it had a mind of its own cause one min. I lost spark and the next all was well. Now that I have the new one in it runs as great as it can.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Still getting intermittent spark on one cylinder HELP

You done a compression test? Low comp can sometimes show as a miss or mis-fire.Remove the flywheel and check for burn't frayed wires.Try switching the packs around.
Check all connections,The keyswitch too.
The adaptor to make your meter a peak reading volt meter is available at Radio Shack(I think)
Or buy the meter on line Electro Specialities. Meter #530 about $100

 

[blmkso]

Re: Still getting intermittent spark on one cylinder HELP

Hey guys , here's an update. I switched out the CD's and now get good spark in all 4 cylinders. My hunch is a wire must have had a short in it and after switching all the wires , that one wire now works because if the CD was bad shouldn't it still be bad on the other 2 cylinders ? Still kind of a mystery but I'll take it to the river and see how she does.