Weird Electrical Issue....HELP!

[bb_austin]

Problem: Engine won't start. Diagnosis to date: Discovered that there was no spark from any spark plug (when removed and grounded to the engine). Plugs / wires are in good shape...only one season (low/low usage). Changed out points / condensor / dist cap / rotor / coil. Still no spark. Using volt meter, discovered that I don't have any voltage on the (+) terminal of the coil when cranking engine (should have checked this prior to putting all new stuff in....oh, well...atleast everything is new). Wire from the (+) terminal on coil to the ceramic resistor tested fine. From here...I've been trying to figure out wiring diagram but the one in my manual is a "General Wiring Diagram" (page 26) and isn't detailed enough.

My questions:
1) What other checks can I make....? Where else should I look?
2) Where can i get a good detailed (electrically accurate) wiring diagram? All those posted on this website and in PCM manuals aren't really accurate.....

Engine: 351 Ford. Boat: 1985 Ski Nautique 2001.

Thanks a million and Happy New Year!

B

[backfoot100]

Sounds like you changed out about everything that you could. Check the ceramic resistor and verify that it isn't open. You could also have a loose connection on the wiring strip. I think the coil + lead comes from there someplace but could be wrong. Check out the wiring diagram at www.skiboathelp.com. It's pretty good.

The only other thing I might suggest is replacing the points witha electronic coversion kit. Well worth every penny invested!!!!

[ffmedic74]

Do you have a normal distributer or do you have the ignition box that PCM began using? If so sometimes an individual coil unit will only affect 1 plug.

[core-rider]

If you have no voltage to the + side of the coil, check the wire going to the ballast resistor. You should have about 12VDC into it and about 6VDC out from it to the coil. If you have voltage before it and not after replace the ballast resistor. If you have no voltage at the resistor then your going to have to follow the wiring back and try to find a break or loose connection.

If I remember correctly from my 84 2001 the wire going to the ballast resistor came from the starter relay mounted towards the back of the engine. My relay was under a plastic cover with the breaker for the starter system. From there the wire should eventually go to the starter switch on the dash.

If the ballast resistor is what is bad, you should be able to pick one up at any auto parts store, but if you go to a chain store like Autozone your going to have to tell them it's from a like a pre-70 model Ford vehicle with a 351W engine or else they will be no help.

Like was sugessted earlier, I would highly recommend going pointless ignition. I did the Petronixs (sp) system in mine and it worked great. This should be the part you need, but it may be slightly different if you have a clip-on style distributor cap. Just seach for ignition at Overton's site and it will bring up the different choices. You should be able to find this elsewhere also, possibly cheaper too. If you go with the set-up you won't have to you the ballast resistor anymore. Just remove it and wire it and wire the coil straight to the ignition.

http://www.overtons.com/modperl/over...7752&fcat=

[Christopher-W.-Becker]

For sure check out the downloads.

http://www.planetnautique.com/Correc...re_Diagram.pdf there is a dash wiring diagram for the 80's models.

When you are checking, where are you getting your ground. Check the + terminal on the coil to the block AND the battery. The ground connection on the front - startboard (right) side of the engine. If that connection is bad, it should not crank BUT it causes all sorts of weird problems.

The experts on these classic boat are on CorrectCraftFan.com. Put a post up there. They saved my bacon many a time on my first Nautique.

HEY, for all you others out there, the collection of owners manuals and wiring diagrams could use some filling in........I will scan anything as PDF and give to JEFF to load. So lets get the DOWNLOAD section completed ....you never know when you will need it yourself. Like on vacation....and need a bailout.

[bb_austin]

Thanks for the suggestions! Helped and I've now resovled the issue...was a wiring problem ...