1965 Mercury 900 90 hp no spark

[dan2744]

Turning the key there was only a click, replaced solenoid and now it turns over but no spark. The #1 cylinder sparked early on but now lost spark. It looks like it will spark for a split second if it sits for a while, i'm not sure whats wrong, please help.

 

[clueless75]

Check the distributor... Could be a corroded point or perhaps the carbon piece in the middle has gone or deteriorated. I have a 1971 merc 800 that had no spark and the distributor was full of problems... I replaced the wire from the coil to the distributor, checked the connections of each wire (by unscrewing them from the distributor, they don't pull off!) and replacing the spring and carbon piece in the middle... Now it runs like a charm! Good luck

 

[jbcurt00]

Lets move this over to the Mercury outboard forum instead of the Boat restoration forum

 

[dan2744]

It has 2 ignition coils which is weird to me, I am going to take off the distributor tomorrow.

 

[clueless75]

Hmm... My guess would be to first check the distributor, and if all seems well then it would be best to test/replace the coils and go from there

 

[merc850]

Make sure you take the red spark side terminal off first! The rotor is usually held on with Loctite and can be difficult to remove. Check that you are getting + voltage on the coils and the resistors, disconnect the mercury switch, turn engine over and check for spark, put a tester on each point lead and to ground, turn the dist. shaft around to check for proper open/closing. Setting up the points requires a degree wheel and pointer that you might find here http://johnsoldmercurysite.com/phpBB3/index.php

 

[dan2744]

No Title

This is what I found. How do I get g o the points?

 

[dan2744]

The end of the wire cover broke off and had a spring and something else pop out, now im not sure how its supposed to look.

 

[merc850]

That's the side inlet for spark the cap looks really good - like low hours.


maybe you can find one on ebay or if you are really lucky a Mercury dealer, I might have one. Watch out for the rotor!
Did you do any of the tests I suggested?

 

[dan2744]

Not yet, I got cold, its only about 10 degrees outside.

 

[dan2744]

I just ordered a new cover off of ebay.

 

[dan2744]

I am getting voltage at both coils and resistors, I get intermittent spark and I really want to get at the points.

 

[racerone]

Step # 1 is to remove the distributor.----There are 4 bolts toloosen and the whole assembly comes off so that you can work on it on a bench.---Nothing to it !!---Once you do that ask more questions.---As it sits now you risk more expensive mistakes.

 

[dan2744]

No Title

I got this off, do I split this?

 

[dan2744]

The rotor is really on there!

 

[racerone]

There is a special tool ( shown in picture above ) to take the rotor off.-----Local dealer / shop may have it.------I have one.

 

[dan2744]

No Title

I found some suspect wires.

 

[dan2744]

These wires go into distributor from coil which means if my coils are working should there be voltage there?

 

[clueless75]

Theoretically, yes unless a wire is not connected or corroded or frayed or anything

 

[dan2744]

Even with everything apart can I turn key to on and see if there is power going into distributor?