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1968 120HP Ignition Problem

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papasteve54

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I have restored my father -in laws 1968 tri hull boat with everything new except the engine. I replaced the ignition witch with a new marine grade ignition switch because the old key was lost. After eveything was done the engine started easy and ran great. I had a boat detailer detail the boat inside and out. The next day I went to start the engine before putting the boat in the water. Ignition witch went bad, don't know why. Replaced the ignition switch and now the starter turns over the motor, but it won't start now. Could the starter switch have caused something down line to go bad? Like the ballast resistor, the condenser, or the coil? I disconnected a park plug wire, and even disconnected the coil wire while turning engine over and saw no spark from either one.
 
On those older systems, The starter solenoid (on the starter) has two small terminals.
Yellow with red wire is crank from key switch. Based on age wire color may bs different.
The other wire supplies voltage to the coil when cranking. If no voltage to coil during cranking, NO start.

So do you understand how to test for voltage at coil when cranking?

Would you understand how to bypass the solenoid and apply 12 volts to coil for testing?
 
kghost said:
On those older systems, The starter solenoid (on the starter) has two small terminals.
Yellow with red wire is crank from key switch. Based on age wire color may bs different.
The other wire supplies voltage to the coil when cranking. If no voltage to coil during cranking, NO start.

So do you understand how to test for voltage at coil when cranking?

Would you understand how to bypass the solenoid and apply 12 volts to coil for testing?
Click to expand...
I have read up on troubleshooting a little and it looks like you turn the ignition on and have the distributor cap off and use a screwdriver to open the points and watch for a spark coming from the coil wire placed next to metal on the engine. If there is another way, I'm willing to learn and try it
 
That is one way to confirm spark with key in the run position.
Possibly your issue is no spark when cranking....two different things.
 
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