Intermittent spark, Stator or timer base??

1988 johnson 140 vro
Last time I took it out it ran perfect for 10 seconds WOT then died and I got no spark. Took it home and tested it and noticed spark was coming and going on all 4 cylinders. Ruled out ignition switch, ppack, ignition coils, plugs, wires. Finally this weekend I popped fly wheel and inspected stator and timer base. Stator has a chip on the top edge and you can see a white discolored spot in the flywheel (picture). Timer base looks ok. I ohm tested stator and I got 95 between orange wires and 480 between brown (amphenol plug). Couldnt get good reading on timer base. Anyway I order a new stator its on the way, but now Im afraid it may be timer base. The intermittent spark happens on all 4 cylinders when cranking. At this point, It can only be stator or timer base but I guess Im pissing in the wind hoping its the damn stator. Can this little nick on the stator be the problem??

Re: Intermittent spark, Stator or timer base??

That doesn't look like a "little nick" to me. Can you tell what might have caused that, and, shouldn't those magnetic faces be shiny? I'm just guessing here, but, I think you have found the problem.

Re: Intermittent spark, Stator or timer base??

It is wise to do a thorough ohm-meter and DVA test on stators and timer bases. Be sure to wiggle the wiring harnesses while observing resistance readings.

The "shot gun" "replace all" approach gets pricey......

Re: Intermittent spark, Stator or timer base??

The best way to check any electrical component is with a DVA meter. Any question, then use an ohmmeter. DVA's give the output of the component.

Re: Intermittent spark, Stator or timer base??

boobie said:

The best way to check any electrical component is with a DVA meter.

Click to expand...

Not necessarily.... The DVA will not always show up a intermittent problem since its internal structure stores peak readings. A missing pulse from a poor connection can often go undetected. A resistance test while wiggling wires is very effective for this type of failure.

Re: Intermittent spark, Stator or timer base??

Didn't I just say any question in the output readings then do an ohmmeter test. If you look at the OEM manual those are the procedures they follow.