tgeers
Member
You folks have helped me in the past, and I am desperate for some help now. This motor has been running great for several years and then all of a sudden no spark. There doesn't appear to have been much in the way of upgrades, so I started replacing parts with the idea of adding life to the motor, and solving this problem. Added is a new starter, new solenoid, new CDi with coils, new distributor, with plug wires, new key switch, and upgraded wiring. That said, here is what I'm finding. When trying to start the motor, there is a significant voltage drawdown at the starter. 12.7 volts drop to 9.8 volts. The same happens at the CDI switch during cranking. I know that is not enough to create enough volts for a spark. That is why I replaced the starter, but the results are the same. I then focused on the wiring coming from the battery and the control box. I then replaced those wires with heavier wires, and replaced the 50+ year old switch. The wire leading from the solenoid to the starter were replaced along with several ground wires. All the wiring was tested for ohms and resistance and fell well within expectations. The 50+ year old distributor was completely replaced mainly because of age. It is my understanding, that in this motor the stator only supplies a charge for the battery. It has no role to play in the ignition. There are only two yellow wires coming from the stator. Also this motor has no kill switch other than the one in the control box. Tonight I powered the Cdi switch with a separate battery giving me 12+ volts during cranking, but yet there was not spark. Now I am concerned that the new Cdi switch is bad. But also, I'm completely lost as to why there is so much drawdown during cranking. Please help if you can. I'm 80 years old and the boat is my happy place. Your help would mean a lot to me.