Mercury Thunder bolt ignition sensor problem

Rculmone · #1 June 28th, 2005, 05:47 PM

I have 1999 Mercury engine it has the thunderbolt ignition the sensor in the distributor continually fails. I have replaced it five times. Each time the engine works fine for 2-3 hours then the sensor fails. Any ideas what is causing the sensor to fail.

Its a merc 310 electronic ignition

rculmone@aol.com

FreeBeeTony · #2 June 28th, 2005, 06:23 PM

what do you mean it fails.........can you be more specific?

Don S · #3 June 28th, 2005, 06:26 PM

Did you check the bushings in the distributor? If they are worn out and the distributor shaft moves a lot, it can hit and destroy the sensor.

Rculmone · #4 June 30th, 2005, 10:11 PM

Thanks for the help folks

I have resolved the problem.

the v6 and V8 thunderbolt ignition systems have a service bulletin that discribes this problem. Apparently there is a ground fault in the ignition system. and if the sensor in the distributor is not grounded it will fail (cease to funtion) causing the engine to stall. There is a revised ignition sensor with a third wire (black) which is intended to be connected to ground. I installed the new revised sensor and the problem has dissapeard.

Again thanks for the help

Richard