wont start!

[medic]

Getting ready to take it to the service dept to have it winterized, but can't get it to start. Been like this for about a month or two. Was given some suggestions at work.<br /><br />This evening...I unplugged the coil wire from the center of the rotor cap and attempted to hold the end of the wire against a screwdriver to check for a spark. It was dark at the time, so I figured seeing a spark would be easy. Well...hit the key and no spark.<br /><br />Thinking that maybe the screwdriver wasn't close enough or I wasn't doing something right, I went ahead and plugged the coil back up and started taking out the plugs one by one to check them. Not real dirty, but I cleaned and regapped. I then put each plug (one by one) back into its wire and layed it down to check for spark. Hit the key and nadda. The engine turns over, but no spark. Any ideas? I changed the coil last year.<br /><br />Thanks in advance.......Bill

 

[Don S]

Re: wont start!

When you are checking the spark plugs for spark, the have to be grounded, otherwise you will not get any spark. How about the points, cap, rotor??? when where they changed last. Do you have power to the coil, do you have a manual to help you troubleshoot.<br />Do you have the safety lanyard hooked up?

 

[medic]

Re: wont start!

Originally posted by Don S:<br /> When you are checking the spark plugs for spark, the have to be grounded, otherwise you will not get any spark. How about the points, cap, rotor??? when where they changed last. Do you have power to the coil, do you have a manual to help you troubleshoot.<br />Do you have the safety lanyard hooked up?

Went and tried again. Grounded it...no spark.

 

[medic]

Re: wont start!

Points, cap and rotor. Very possible. I have not changed them.<br /><br />How do I check power to the coil?<br /><br />No laynard.

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: wont start!

Checking for power at the coil is best done with a volt meter, but can be done with a 12V test light. The two small screw terminals on the coil are labeled (+) and (-). The positive lead (+) is fed +12V from the battery, through the ignition switch. Ground your meter to the engine block, turn on the key and check for 12V. If that looks good, move your meter ground over to the (-) connection on the coil, with your meter + on the coil +, and your meter - on the coil - crank over the engine, you should see your meter "pulsing" between 0 v and 12V, if using a test light you should see it flickering as you crank the engine.

 

[medic]

Re: wont start!

Originally posted by waterone1:<br /> Checking for power at the coil is best done with a volt meter, but can be done with a 12V test light. The two small screw terminals on the coil are labeled (+) and (-). The positive lead (+) is fed +12V from the battery, through the ignition switch. Ground your meter to the engine block, turn on the key and check for 12V. If that looks good, move your meter ground over to the (-) connection on the coil, with your meter + on the coil +, and your meter - on the coil - crank over the engine, you should see your meter "pulsing" between 0 v and 12V, if using a test light you should see it flickering as you crank the engine.

With the meter hooked to positive on coil and ground on engine. Needle moved up.<br /><br />With the meter to postive on coil and meter to negative on coil. No movement of needle with engine cranking.<br /><br />What up?

 

[Don S]

Re: wont start!

Replace the points.....actually you probably need a full tuneup. The points are probably glazed over causing a high resistance. You can check this by using a points file (or sand paper) and clean the point contacts. If you have fire then you know that is the problem. But the points will not last once sanded and should still be replaced.<br />You will also need to reset the dwell and ignition timing.

 

[deputydawg]

Re: wont start!

Now would be a good time for a complete tuneup. points, distributor cap and roter, plugs and plug wires. Good point to go ahead and change fuel filters too.

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: wont start!

It is most likely the points (there are one or two other possibilities), and as Deputy said, you might as well replace the other items while you are at it.<br />Let us know how it turns out.

 

[medic]

Re: wont start!

everything mentioned has been changed except rotor, cap, button, condenser, and points.....already took it to get serviced. we'll see what they have to say too.......i am with you guys though. that is what i think it is too.

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: wont start!

__________________________________________________<br />everything mentioned has been changed except rotor, cap, button, condenser, and points.....already took it to get serviced. we'll see what they have to say too<br />-------------------------------------------------<br />OK, I'm lost here!! It would seam that everything that we all said was the most likely cause of your problem, has NOT been done.

 

[deputydawg]

Re: wont start!

I think the suggestions did not get done because it was already in the shop for winterizing.

 

[medic]

Re: wont start!

Originally posted by deputydawg:<br /> I think the suggestions did not get done because it was already in the shop for winterizing.

Sorry for the confusion. The suggestions given were not done before taking it to the shop as I was pressed for time. I did however pick up the parts today and the shop said it was ok if I went over there and put them in myself. It is going to be a week before they get to winterize it.<br /><br />The everything else I was talking about was the plugs, coil and wires. I have not changed cap, button, condensor and points yet. I have plans to go do that in the morning.<br /><br />I will let you guys know what happened....Thanks again.

 

[medic]

Re: wont start!

That was it. Replaced the points and condensor and fired right up. The button on there was in good shape. The one I just bought wasn't brass, so I kept the old one. They didn't have a rotor cap in stock, but I am going to put one on anyway.<br /><br />I appreciate the help guys. Saved me alot of money. And by the way......Autozone does have marine parts.