Return to MarineEngine.com's home page. Home Call MarineEngine.com or send an email message. Contact Info about orders, shipping and returns. Shipping/Returns View your shopping cart. Cart
Need help with your boat parts order? Call 800-209-9624 Monday - Friday 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM EST Order by phone (800) 209-9624
Monday - Friday 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM EST
Free Classifieds Discussion Forum
Topics Topics Edit Profile Profile Help/Instructions Help Member List Register  
Search Last 1|3|7 Days Search Search Tree View Tree View  

Merc. Model 110 no spark

Discussion Forum at MarineEngine.com » Mercury Mariner Outboard » Archive through July 04, 2009 » Merc. Model 110 no spark « Previous Next »

Author Message
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Gary
Member
Username: gary_j

Post Number: 6
Registered: 06-2009
Posted on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 - 11:34 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP

My 1973 9.8 is not firing, (no spark @ plugs) what can I troubleshoot to pinpoint the problem. Thanks
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Graham Lamb
Senior Member
Username: galamb

Post Number: 5508
Registered: 05-2007


Posted on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 - 12:36 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP

Gary, that model has an early Thunderbolt 2 ignition system.

So it still has points and a condenser (which Merc called a capacitor in some reference material) as well as an early stator that incorporated both a low speed and high speed coil (mounted as two separate parts on the stator assembly which was a modular design - kinda neat to see the precursor to the modern stator like that).

The points for these are still available (at a touch over 100 bucks for the pair) but the condenser and high speed coils have been long discontinued.

You can test for continuity between the wires coming from the coils (the ones under the flywheel) - you are basically just looking to make sure the windings are intact.

Be careful to disconnect the wires from the capacitor, and be careful in general if you are fiddling with the capacitor - if it's working it holds a charge of approx 1000 volts - it won't kill you but she bites pretty hard if it discharges when you have a hold of it.

You can also check for simple continuity across the two little posts on the spark plug coils, again just making sure the winding is intact, but it would be unlikely that both went at the same time.

Your issue most likely rests in the capactior (condenser) or the low speed coil itself...

In 1974 this model converted to the Thunderbolt 4 ignition which is still considered "modern". If your model does have an issue involving one of the discontinued parts you may be better served to try and find a complete used ignition from a slightly newer model and retrofit it.

The discontinued parts may still be available from a recycler or a place like www.oldmercs.com but could end up costing you a small fortune.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Gary
Member
Username: gary_j

Post Number: 7
Registered: 06-2009
Posted on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 - 03:43 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP

Thanks for the info, I'll keep my fingers crossed for the cheaper fix.

Administration Administration Log Out Log Out   Previous Page Previous Page Next Page Next Page

Free Classifieds Discussion Forum
Home | Contact | Shipping/Returns | Cart
Boat Engine Parts Boat Motor Manuals Boat Accessories
About Us | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy MarineEngine.com, 184 Jones Drive, Brandon, VT 05733 USA
© 2009 MarineEngine.com, Inc. All rights reserved. Phone: 802-247-4700 | Fax: 802-301-1034 | eMail: info@marineengine.com