help no spark

[Nbigger]

Well I finally have the boat ready for the water and put it in this week only to have no spark. I was down the road from the dealer so I went down and bought new points and a condenser. I changed them thinking that that was the problem on the water and then tried again with no spark. I have it docked at this time and will go back tonight to work on getting it started. Any ideas on how and what to go through to find the problem? I winterized it with a friend this year and changed the impeller and took the battery out. The boat started last year no problem every time. Any help would be great it is a 1990 sport with the 351.

Thanks Nick

[Nautiquehunter]

RE: help no spark

Take a test light with you. Key on engine off go from engine ground to pos of the coil it should be on. If not check power to coil [ballast resistor, ign switch]
Now go to the neg side of the coil and crank the engine over it should flash. If it doesn't check points and condenser
and connections. Note point gap is about .019. If it flashes check coil,cap,rotor and coil wire

[Nbigger]

RE: help no spark

Thanks I will check the coil tonight with a test light. I changed the points and condenser last night but I used a buisness card to set the gap because I was told by a mechanic that it was near the correct gap and I did not have the right tools.

Thanks for the info, Nick

[Nautiquehunter]

RE: help no spark

We used a match book cover in a pinch business card will work too. Make sure you are on the high side
of the dist cam lobe when you make the adjustment. Crank the engine and watch the points they should open and close.

[Nbigger]

RE: help no spark

Ok thanks, also will the breaker less ignition kit from skidim work with this boat and is it worth the money? This is my first boat and I am still learning a lot about working on them and what parts will keep me on the water and not under the engine cover. http://www.skidim.com/prodinfo.asp?number=RP173072
Thanks again, Nick

[Nautiquehunter]

RE: help no spark

The skidim kit will work, others have posted good results with it. I like the simple points set up. Get in the habit of changing them every year and you will have no problems. The thing I like best is if I do have any Ign trouble I can fit it with a Swiss army knife. With electronic systems you need a tow

[Nbigger]

RE: help no spark

Thanks again I will try to get out today armed with a test light and see if I can figure it out.

Nick

[Nautiquehunter]

RE: help no spark

Nick check your PM I sent you one.

[Nbigger]

RE: help no spark

Sorry I did not get it, my box may have been full. As I was testing the coil I found that my coil wire did not have continuity. The wire also said 1990 on it so they were never changed. The coil had power in and out so I think new wires should be my fix. Do I need to buy these from a boat dealer or can I get them at any auto parts store? Do you have any recommendations for brand or type? I emptied out my inbox and my email is nbigger@cequentgroup.com

Thanks again , Nick

[Nautiquehunter]

RE: help no spark

Skidim sells PCM original equipment wires.

[Nbigger]

RE: help no spark

I was going to try and get it running this week end maybe I can just get a coil wire from the nautique dealer here or a auto parts store and then order a new set of wires and plugs from them today.

[Nautiquehunter]

RE: help no spark

Check your email

[Nbigger]

RE: help no spark

The boat is running I changed the plugs and wires except for one plug that I cracked. I gaped the spark on the high point like you said and it started right up. I forgot to tighted a water hose that I took off to change the impeller and that made a load bang that made me jump but after I fixed that it ran great.

Thanks again for all the help, Nick