puzzled with ignition issue

I have been testing all morning every compnent of the ignition system in my 95 3.0lx (est ignition) and had to step away for the rest of the day. Ihave 11.75 v out of the coil it and the pickup coil passed the ohms specs from the merc service manual but I still have no spark the lanyard is working corredctly killing and re-activating power to the coil with the flick of the switch the only thing I haven't been able to test is the mode which I doubt is the issue but who knows that will have to wait till monday I do not have the correct testing equipment for the test unless someone out there can tell me how to do it with a multi meter? I know these issues have been beat to death here but I would like to go out @ least one or more times before the army corp starts draining the resivior. Thanx in advance for any input that would be helpfull.

Re: puzzled with ignition issue

Anyone!!!!!!

Re: puzzled with ignition issue

everyone is probably puzzled about how you checked voltage to a 2 decimal accuracy and tested ohms without a multimeter....


one test you can do without a meter, is remove the dist cap, and crank the engine to make sure the distributor rotor is turning

Re: puzzled with ignition issue

Ihave 11.75 v out of the coil

Click to expand...

Not sure what you mean by "Out of the coil" where, or why you tested it, my question is how much do you have INTO the coil, on the purple wire.

Did you disconnect the short harness between the coil and the distributor and check for continuity in both wires and the inductor in the wire?

Re: puzzled with ignition issue

Thanx for repling 1st off. The meter I used is a fieldpiece SC66 and my other one is a Actron7665 both of which are digital readout. 1st off the reading I got out of the coil was from the high tension post and 2nd I did not check the continuity between the coil and dizzy yet (started raining) had to stop! As stated in the merc service manual I performed all the component tests except for the ones in the troubleshooting area of manual which I will perform this afternoon. And Howard I'm sorry if my post was misleading by saying "I
don't have correct testing equipment" what I ment by that was the proper equipment to test the ign, module. Mind you all this just occured after replacing a oil seal and re- installing the outdrive rig ran perfect just before. I really appriceate the replies to my issues

Re: puzzled with ignition issue

You don't test voltage out of the coil tower with a VOM.

Do the tests below and let us know what you find out.
Also test the coil wire. If it's bad you won't get any spark to the distributor from the coil.

Re: puzzled with ignition issue

Performed all of the above tests and all components passed but! when testing continuity on the short lead from coil to dizzy it passed but when connected to coil and ignition on I did not get any volt reading whatso ever so at that point I wiggled the lead and the reading fluctuated so I was lead to believe there was a bad connection @ the coil to terminal B @ that point I got to looking @ the coil recepticles and noticed a slight loose fit with the molded connector so I fationed a paper clip w/ a small hook on the end w/ the power disconnected and inserted it into each recepticlle turning it @ the back and pulling forward to colapse the connector tabs on each port and then re-inserted each molded connector to the coil -n- dizzy and got perfect readings and after re-checking all the component test once more it fired right up and idled perfectly. For all those out there just remember when experiencing these issues the tests in the service manual are very helpfull and reliable along with guys like Don S. and thier expertise @ our disposal for help and great advise you can't go wrong as long as you listen to the advise and follow the proceedures. Once again a big thanx to Don S. for nudgging me in the right direction he truly is the man!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: puzzled with ignition issue

Glad you have it running again.
Don't tell anyone I used a Volvo manual and pictures to get you going. But their info is so much easier to follow than Mercs.

Re: puzzled with ignition issue

Don I would definately have to agre with that the merc service manual is a good tool but there references to how to check the coil with the RX1 &RX100 scale threw me for a while there I have never heard or used that reference before it maybe common but not to me as a novice. Once again thank you your knowledge and services here are priceless because something I learned early on from a man I really respect is that knowledge gained and or given is something that can't be taken away and should be charished.

Thanx Rick